I don't think the ground at Batley will suit our style of play, we always seem to struggle at the Mount,I will be happy to come away with a win and feel it could be a tricky fixture for our team,after that our next 2 games are at home and it should give us a platform to build on before the Bradford and Fax games.

My team for Batley
Chase
Higson
Worthington
Armstrong
Kay
Ridyard
Brierley
Moi Moi
Beswick
Weston
Dixon
Hansen
Hock

Spencer
Higham
Hopkins
Reni M

Ian I will go along with your 17 , but I think Brierley should be full back and Rangi at 7, you can't have a racehorse running on the Central Beach at Blackpool, Rangi would be wasted at full back.

Is Cory Paterson not available?

As far as I know the players unavailable are McNally, Pala, Tonga and Barlow. I think everyone else is ok.

Based on the 20 minutes he had at full back for Salford, and his inability to catch any restarts against Wigan, I wouldn't have Rangi anywhere near FB. Kez or Pownall for me

I'm going to agree with you again Iggy, I also think that Rangi's off the cuff creativity would be wasted at FB.

Can't believe Charlie Caroli or DETROITSOUL have left out Patterson unless he is unavailable.

He is in for for Hock, Hock to bench and no Reni M

Then Pownall at Fb, Higham starting and Chase on bench with no Beswick.

Riddy and Ryan at Hb

I believe that Corey P is injured that's why I dint put him in my 17

LF you are correct, it was an oversight by me ,we have so many quality players I just forgot about Cory P,it is a few Seasons since we had a specialist 13 ,and I feel Cory will make us tick this year, we have to leave someone out, could Mickey H play the full 80 and give Bob Bs plCe to another player.When we have a fully fit squad it will be very hard to keep everyone happy.

[youtubewp43OdtAAkM[/youtube

Will any players be rested for the big one in round two against our local rivals Oldham roughyeds, will be a classic first game of the season at the LSV

Well, it could be argued that Batley away will be tougher than Oldham at home,(no disrespect intended to Oldham) so our strongest available team will be needed for this Sunday.

looking forward to your visit guys, contrary to what Maurice says,
hope for a tough close game and a big crowd, mainly from Leigh !!!!

Don't listen to yon mon Bat Lad, I luv folk frum Batley,and anybody Wi a name like Maurice ?Well it tells yer everything a true Moby.

If your calling all n sundry "moby", does that mak you a "silly James"???

I hope and I think that Patterson will make all the difference this year.

Regarding the team when all members available, I don't envy Neil, but have faith

I bet almost everyone on here would have a different 17.

The key will be who is the best 17 each week and to keep some players fresher for the end of the season unlike last

We have to as big as possible and match them up the middle and wear them down! Breirley higson worthington Armstrong Kay chase ridyard Weston higham hock Hansen Dixon Patterson subs beswick Hopkins spencer matuai. Big ask for higham so 80 at batley keep him and Bob fresh and keep them on back foot

Oggy al tel thi Wat, yo men al get bogged den in Batley mud on Sunday, a fancy a Batley win my sen, what say thee Hokey?

Looks like Batley have signed former Leigh player Alex Brown (again). Remember the few games he played for us, was excellent in attack but couldn't tackle at all. If he's playing we need to put him under a lot of pressure and attack down his wing.

He was poor for us but they seem to love him, either that or he loves biscuits.
Always a tough game at Batley, Kearcwill have them up for your visit without a doubt.

Leigh Centurions 19 man Squad

Higson, Worthington, Armstrong, Kay, Ridyard, Brierley, Moimoi, Beswick, Weston, Hansen, Hock, Higham, Pownall, Maitua, Spencer, Hopkins, Dixon, Chase, Emmitt

Batley Bulldogs Squad

Reittie, Ulugia, Squires, Ainscough, Southernwood, Brambani, Hirst, Blake, Day, S. Scott, Walker, Davey, Gledhill, Chandler, Lillycrop, Bretherton, Leak, J. Brown, D. Scott

No Cory Paterson is a blow on top of the other injured players, really liked what I saw from him in pre-season

I'd go with:

1. Brierley
2. Higson
3. Worthington
4. Armstrong
5. Kay
6. Ridyard
7. Chase
8. Weston
9. Higham
10. Hock
11. Dixon
12. Hansen
13. Maitua

Subs:
Beswick
Emmitt
Spencer
Hopkins

Although I expect Fui to be in the actual 17 instead of either Spencer or Hopkins.

Batley's squad looks much stronger than last years and will be no mugs on their own patch. Should be a great game.

1. Pownall
2. Higson
3. Worthington
4. Armstrong
5. Kay
6. Brierley
7. Ridyard
8. Emmitt
9. Higham
10. Spencer
11. Dixon
12. Maitua
13. Hock

14. Beswick
15. Weston
16. Hansen
17. Moimoi

If conditions are awful it might be better to stick with players who have experience of Mount Pleasant starting so it comes of less of a shock to them, think it'll be a physical low scoring game & Batley will be really up for it and come at us from the start, don't want them getting an early score or pressure while players are getting used to Mount Pleasant. Going with Pownall at full back as he's probably a safer pair of hands than Ryan (don't know really, we've not actually seen Ryan at full back).

Good call. I would just swap Spencer and Weston around, and maybe chase might feature.

Anyone know how Batley's pitch is holding up?

Hoping it isn't like that mudbath the pies played on tonight.

Makes you appreciate the LSV even more. Despite the horrendous weather we've been having the pitch at the LSV is still in fantastic shape. Big advantage for us that our pitch allows us to play our own style even in the depths of winter.