I can’t believe you’re criticising Kheirallah for not diffusing high kicks, when at Fev. Aekins virtually gave up trying to catch any in the second half. Subsequent games only showed a marginal improvement, until the dry weather recently has showed him more assured. So no, I would say Kheiralkah is the better full back, just as they have the edge in the half backs. But they can’t better our monster threequarter back line, while our pack of forwards can more than match theirs, with Ipape coming on as sub. being our trump card. Also can’t wait to see the battle of the kickers Inu v. Hall. Leigh to win in golden point time perhaps?

This is going to be hell of a game with potential to overshadow the Challenge Cup. Let's hope fans recognise this and get to the stadium early giving the atmosphere that the fixture deserves.

Quote: CHEADLE LEYTHER "I can’t believe you’re criticising Kheirallah for not diffusing high kicks, when at Fev. Aekins virtually gave up trying to catch any in the second half. Subsequent games only showed a marginal improvement, until the dry weather recently has showed him more assured. So no, I would say Kheiralkah is the better full back, just as they have the edge in the half backs. But they can’t better our monster threequarter back line, while our pack of forwards can more than match theirs, with Ipappecoming on as sub. being our trump card. Also can’t wait to see the battle of the kickers Inu v. Hall. Leigh to win in golden point time perhaps?'" As a Fev fan this isn't far from how I see it too. On what I've seen this year Fev maybe have the edge in the spine (acknowledging what a dangerous player Ibape is) whereas Leigh probably have looked better in terms of speed over the gain line going forward and line speed in defence. I really don't know quite how things will pan out on Saturday. Unfortunately we have problems at hooker with Jones suspended and Wildie highly questionable and Ford has only had a cameo spell towards the end of the Whitehaven game so it's hard to know what role he will play. Won't surprise me if the score is 1-1 between us after Saturday, but possibly 3 more games between the clubs still to come. Edited to add: Kheirallah and Kopczak both limped off against Whitehaven and just seen this piece on Love Rugby League about those two and Wildie. That would make life vastly more difficult for Fev if any of that trio are missing. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/ca ... t-on-trio/

Quote: CHEADLE LEYTHER "I can’t believe you’re criticising Kheirallah for not diffusing high kicks, when at Fev. Aekins virtually gave up trying to catch any in the second half. Subsequent games only showed a marginal improvement, until the dry weather recently has showed him more assured. So no, I would say Kheiralkah is the better full back, just as they have the edge in the half backs. But they can’t better our monster threequarter back line, while our pack of forwards can more than match theirs, with Ipappecoming on as sub. being our trump card. Also can’t wait to see the battle of the kickers Inu v. Hall. Leigh to win in golden point time perhaps?'" As a Fev fan this isn't far from how I see it too. On what I've seen this year Fev maybe have the edge in the spine (acknowledging what a dangerous player Ibape is) whereas Leigh probably have looked better in terms of speed over the gain line going forward and line speed in defence. I really don't know quite how things will pan out on Saturday. Unfortunately we have problems at hooker with Jones suspended and Wildie highly questionable and Ford has only had a cameo spell towards the end of the Whitehaven game so it's hard to know what role he will play. Won't surprise me if the score is 1-1 between us after Saturday, but possibly 3 more games between the clubs still to come. Edited to add: Kheirallah and Kopczak both limped off against Whitehaven and just seen this piece on Love Rugby League about those two and Wildie. That would make life vastly more difficult for Fev if any of that trio are missing. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/ca ... t-on-trio/

No Chayders, not sure Bongser's ticker could take it.

Due to broadcast timings for the Challenge Cup, it is being said that there will be no Golden Point decider should the 1895 end in a draw after 80 minutes.

Draw lots? Cast dice? Jewels on the table? Cup ripped in half? Solomon would judge against the party suggesting that last one.

Maybe an arrangement such as that agreed between Demeter & Hades? Leyth (of course being the former) would take Spring & Summer.

PH,
I’m sure the Fev pitch is 67m wide after the RFL told us to bring it in by a meter for there to be a bigger runoff to the hordings on the side.

Though to be honest this “our pitch is bigger than your pitch” is all a bit pointless to be honest. Especially when we have the 2nd of a what is likely to be a great 5 match series this year between the two teams coming this Saturday.

For me I’m looking forward to a great contest on Saturday, though personally I fancy Leigh to win this one.I hope I’m wrong.

Wise words, FevGrinder. I had actually checked it on Google Earth (where you can measure the width of most pitches if they are marked out and the stands don't get in the way) and it looks between 67m and 68m, though I don't know whether that GE photo was taken before the RFL directive.

I just get a bit irritated when things that are demonstrably untrue are stated as if they were fact, but you're right, we should be focusing on the cracking ongoing series between the two clubs.

Like you, I'm a little pessimistic about Fev's chance this Saturday, but a bit more optimistic should we meet again in October.

What will be different in October?

Firstly, Fev look like we might be missing quite a few starters on Saturday.
Secondly, our coach has an outstanding record of getting teams to peak in October, and has made it clear that's all that really matters this year, to the extent of stating on more than one occasion that he actually wants us to lose a game or two along the way to prepare his team for playing under pressure..

I'm very confident that Lam will do what is required to do over the next 4 months too, so I won't predict what might happen come October.
TBH - I think you're getting in a bit of an excuse for this Saturday, just in case you do lose. I don't buy into all that mate.

Not at all, I'll leave that to the small but noisy Leigh contingent who blamed conditions for your loss in February at our place.
It's actually quite difficult making comments on another team's message board because if you predict your team is going to win you get shot down for being cocky/arrogant, and if you predict a defeat then you're getting excuses in.
I think we have a chance on Saturday but thought it was a 50-50 game even before the Jones suspension and the injuries Fev have. I think there are one or two areas where we are vulnerable at the moment anyway. But it's a difficult game to predict.
A lot will depend on who wins the collisions, if Leigh roll us up the middle as they have with most teams and dominate field position then we'll struggle, conversely if we can manage to get a similar amount of good ball then I think we might have a bit more creativity. It's possible with your recent signings you might be in front of us at the moment, but we'll see.

Nice emphasis on Saturday, and fair enough PH, however, you was very confident/optimistic on a game which is 4 months away,which would be daft really. We should see where both teams are then to get a feel of that situation.

My exact words were [i"I'm a little pessimistic about Fev's chance this Saturday, but a bit more optimistic should we meet again in October."[/i.

But yes, lots could change between now and then.

That's why i queried you about you being more optimistic regarding a potential game 4 months away.