The players have already had a rest !!!

That 2nd half v workington was a shocker !!! lol

Got to play our strongest team poss on Friday there will be a lot of eyes on us Friday to see what all the hype is about leigh . We can ring the changes for fax end on the day I am sure we can get at least a bp with a few changes on Wednesday and that wouldn't be the end of the world.. Fax will be coming strong and on the back of a ten day rest.

We have to play our best team on Friday for the good of our club and the Championship,this is the biggest platform we have been on for ages,the Friday night Sky game has by far the biggest TV viewing figures.

Imagine we lose by a massive score and look totally out of our depth it will not take long for SL club Directors to stick the knife in and knowing the RFL pull the drawbridge back up again re us or teams like Leigh getting into SL.

We will probably lose by 20 plus points at least but if we can compete for part of the game,let our forwards get stuck in and show real spirit,I for one will be a very proud Leyther.

It was discussed on SL backchat, they were saying they could not understand why we would play a weakened team. Keighley considering doing likewise, but they are in a far different place league wise than us.

I wouldn't be happy at all if we rested anybody, £26 quid on the train, £30 hotel £20 quid ticket plus spends for the day doesn't leave much change out of £200! The challenge cup is the oldest, most prestigious trophy in rugby league, and to field a weakened side would be disrespectful to the tournament, and the sides we have knocked out along the way. There was always chance of drawing a top end Superleague team when we started the comp against St. Pats, if you're not going to take it seriously all the way through, you may as well give an amateur team the bye early doors. Full side against Leeds, same full side against Fax minus injuries/bans, its a 2-day shorter than normal turnaround, and we're a young fit side. There really is no need to be conservative or to rest anybody, we're only halfway through the season and we have numbers in the squad to rest against barrow if needed. Last thing we want is to be made look a laughing stock on SKY. I, like all other leythers would appreciate the efforts of our side if we went up there packed with youngsters/reserves and got whacked, but the wider RL public and the 50/50 fans would use it as an excuse to not come down, and to belittle the championship.

Last time we played Leeds in the cup, SKY declined to show it, this time because of performances on and off the pitch they’ve picked it as their main game, and I assume as a result we’ll get some welcomed TV revenue?

If we don’t play our strongest squad then I can’t see the broadcasters jumping through hoops to show us in the future, if were not taking it serious why should they? We can therefore forget about TV income from future CC games.

Lets see the 19 man squad we have to release before getting to upset folks

Nope, being upset before the squad is picked may have the desired effect.

I would imagine only anyone carrying a knock into this game will be left out and that is if it is touch and go for them not to be available. Obviously it would be sensible to hold them back until the Fax game on Wed.

Other than that I'd have thought the players will be absolutely flying in training and very fired up to show what they can do at this level and Paul will understand that completely. Derek Beaumont is good with words I suspect a little kidology on his part.

Are Hardacker and Ablett going to be missing? Add them to Burrow and every little helps.

I hope you're wrong. It doesn't take much to confuse Mcdermott

Is the squad announced on Thursday Lynda?

It's not shocking and doesn't reflect at all how far the cup as fallen. I was lucky enough to have been at Wembley when we beat you in 71 and it was one of the best days of my life. I'd love to see us win the cup again. But this time we ghave to be realistic. We are not going to beat you and we are not going to win the cup. Finishing in the top 2 this season is the most imprtant thing this club has faced for years. We have to focus on that.

Ablett is suspended but Hardaker is available as his alledged indiscretion is still currently under investigation.