I have never seen a game where Kilner did not go forward after contact. He seems lively in defence as well. I would like to see him in a team that was not going backward most of the time. I understand that wholesale changes can be a problem but we should be able to put out a decent team for this no matter what.

For whatever reason we now seem to start most games slowly and having Clubb and Clark on the bench would just extend that. Neither of them add anything to the squad and it was only a few weeks ago we were looking to offload Clarke.

I’d rather win tonight with last week’s 17 and play C&C against Leeds who I think could be quite vulnerable after playing Saints over the weekend.

Most fans seem to think tonight is a gimme I’m definitely not in that camp. We’ve played probably the 2 worst teams in SL and have put together 2 pretty dire first 40 minutes and got away with it. I don’t want to risk a repeat and be playing a team who I’m assuming are treating this game as their final.

I maybe overreacting but I’d rather do that then end up with egg on our face. I suppose my problem is that I think any team coached by Lam is suspect to having a a very bad game and I want some success this season in the CC

I agree with that although I would add that I think Singleton and Bullock have been performing well below expectation levels and therefore they need a timely nudge.

I’d give Clark a go instead of Bullock.

Clark played well in the Salford friendly and Bullock has been poor IMO.

Reward Byrne with a starting spot.

It’s no gimme that’s for sure. I just think trying to drag performances out of the collective of props we have would be wise. We need more from Bullock for one but there’s more in all of them but if the 5 being selected at the minute just think they’re safe, you’re asking them to become complacent. I think Bullock and Singleton have started the season looking a bit like they think they’ve cracked it and whilst I’m not convinced Clark or Clubb can break in to the first choice team, I think the timing is pretty good to try and set them that challenge. I think a move like that guards against complacency rather than risk adding to it.

I think Bullock has been poor when he's started but been better,like last year when he's come off the bench .I also agree about Kilner getting a shot soon Clarke has had a few run outs and Clubb doesn't need much game time to get him ready if needed for his two ten minutes cameos per game.

I wouldn't say it wrecked his career.

He was never going to make it as a super league fullback.

From memory he got picked up into the academy very late and barely made an impact there.

Definitely think that Bullock should move to the bench if we do get the prop that we all hope for later in the year.

Everyone was really excited about him after his debut, that's why he ended up playing in that semi rather than Richards shifting to FB. That doesn't happen if you don't perform well in the academy. Then he goes into that Leeds play off and drops one crucial ball. No one from the club calls him in the off season or anything like that, then he's put straight out on loan and gets one more game for us (out of position) in the next two seasons before leaving for the Championship.

Like you say, he might never have made it anyway, but we screwed up his development IMO. We should have given him more opportunities during the season (as I'm suggesting we do here with Halsall, Smith and Kilner) if it was foreseeable that injuries could force him into the first team. Then we would have a better idea whether he was ready or not, and he would be better equipped to face a top team in a big game. Regardless, it's one player to illustrate the overall premise that players either get their early experience in the easy games when you rest people (like I'm suggesting here) or they get it in the hard games when injuries force your hand. I know which approach I prefer, we will not play against a worse team than York all year.

Smith/Hastings in the halves so Powell and Leuluai can share the the 9 duties, 40 mins each should be plenty this week for those two.

Farrell and Leuluai out (rested...? surely not)

If they are both selected I hope that you are right and I’m way off beam.
I’ve just got a strong feeling that tonight is going to be really tough and when the going gets tough it’s when Clark and Clubb disappear.

I’ve been wrong many times before and my selections at Aintree so far have also been pretty dire so hopefully I’m wrong again and we get through the game irrespective who is selected

I think they probably have been rested but it’s a risk. That centre/wing pairing of Halsall/Hanley looks a concern. Maybe they’ll move Bibby in and out both of them on the wings.

Looking at the York side, they’re shy of a number of ex superleague players though and have a few youngsters in, so there’s no excuses.

Clubb in but not Clark.

No props rested with three on the bench and Partington at loose forward.

Clubb is due to give the club a half decent performance but if couldn’t give one for a GF I doubt if will tonight.

No Farrell and Halsall at centre is a surprise

As you say on another post York also shy of a few first teamers so no excuses but I still hope we get off to a good start for a change.