We play Salford twice within the next 7 days. League game on Tuesday, Cup semi final on Saturday. Salford don't have the squad depth that we do but they have little chance of making the top 4 so will no doubt be focussing on the semi. Our top 4 spot is far from assured, and we have some big games coming up over the next 2 months, so we need to win both of these matches.

What team does Steve Price put out on Tuesday and what, assuming no injuries, should be the line up for the semi?

I think that he definitely has to rest Cooper on Tuesday, Currie is also due a breather. With Ratchford being rested last night I'm expecting him to play a part in both games. Maybe we'll see him and Ashton sharing FB duties whilst Ratchford can also move to the halves to spell Austin or Widdop?

Looking at the players that were a bit off, or flat against Les Cats;

Currie as mentioned didn't really spark
Coops was great but looked tired
King missed a couple of tackles and didn't feature as much as normal.

It's probably not a coincidence that the above have played in all our games so far and I would be tempted to leave them all out. I would also drop Blake Austin as he probably needs a rest.

Currie Robson
Coops Latu
King Brand
Austin Ratchford

In addition I think we will see some players spending a lot more time on the bench to freshen them up.

I have a sneaky feeling that price will play ratchford at 13 in the semi final, I reckon we will look more threatening with Ashton, ratch, widdop and Austin all on the pitch

At the very least we should be resting Cooper and Austin...

I suppose it will be hard to tell until we announce the squad tomorrow. 1 or 2 from Currie, King, Charnley and Clarke could be rested also.

I am expecting that Wire will rest as many as they can with the majority of the squad who don't usually get a game getting a run out. Wembley is a priority.

I agree its a priority but mainly on the basis of two more wins for silverware one defeat and your out.

Whereas without getting complacent our recent form has put us in good stead in the league. Out of the two theres only one pick if you could only win one

Thing is we've shown we can win without the 1st choicers so i think we're in a very healthy postion, rest 3 or 4 and play them in the semi and i'm confident in both as a win for us.

As above, with some out of J Clark,. D Clark, Charnley, Ashton, Hughes, Mamo. Doro and Thewlis to get game time, and maybe even Patton.

Squad due to be named tomorrow. It'll be interesting picking the game day 17 from that.

Rotate to the extreme!

Ratchford

Thewlis
Brand
Roebuck
Academy winger?

Dean
Patton

Sita
Walker
Latu
Robson
Davis
Hughes

Dean
Doro
Hill
Longstaff

Shouldn’t we be giving the Austin Widdop partnership as much game time as possible?

Not in this particular game that's a few days before a semi final. Otherwise, I'd agree with you.

The semi final team will be tricky to decide also insuring everyone comes through Tuesday fit and health...
Do we put Ratchford at 1 or Ashton? If Ashton is at 1 does Ratchford play ahead of Widdop of 7? Or does Ratchford take Walker’s position off the bench as an extra ball handler.

Ashton is dynamite from full back and scoring tries for fun lately, but Ratchford’s form at 1 has been very impressive this year, Mr Reliable at the back and a useful pair of hands too.

In a big game, with everyone fit, I think that you start with Ratchford at FB. Reliable and with big game experience (although nothing seems to phase Ashton), Ashton to start from the bench. This way you are covered for injury from 1 - 7 but you also have the chance to move Ratchford up to 13 later on as the game opens up.

I think the Salford team selection should be interesting. They have a decent amount of depth. I don't remember seeing McCarthy, Mossop, Ken Sio and Elliot Kear against Hull FC on Thursday. I know Evalds is out for a while but don't know if any of those others are injured or rested.
The positions that they look a bit light on numbers are 6 and 7 so if Brown and Lollehea play on Tuesday I would be sending a lot of traffic in their direction. So whoever we play at second row I would hope that they make Brown and Lollehea earn their money in defence.