The team deserves a big turnout here after the players efforts the past few weeks! Doubt there'll be many Widnes fans coming over.

Think you are wrong there.

Widnes fans always travel well and have taken some good numbers to Championship grounds this year.

We can't afford to be too complacent and should respect them.

Hopefully we treat this as the first step to a Wembly triumph.

Don’t think we will be complacent. Think we may be fatigued. Sad fact is that we have been woeful in the C.C. for years and Widnes could easily catch us out. They shouldn’t but they might so be prepared for the worst is my advise.

We have been naff in the CC over the years, the most disappointing ones being the most recent where we have failed despite having the tools to compete.
You can discuss the reason why that was but I reckon if we don't make some kind of an assault on it, it will be for different reasons to those that have gone before.
To cut to the chase, I don't think we had an unfixable CC specific hoodoo, we just had bigger fish to fry.
I guess we just have to treat it with greater respect, though we have far less options this season than previous.

I always feel that the cup is our best chance of silverware. It requires four or five one off performances over a three or four month period whereas the league requires a week in week out consistency which we haven't quite got yet. (although we're heading in the right direction).

MC mentioned on this week's Rugby League Back Chat that in previous seasons we have tended to concentrate more on a Top 8 placing than the CC, but now that no longer applies we can devote more time to achieving a Wembley spot. Unlike a lot of clubs these day it seems that the CC is dear to his heart.

Not meaning to showing any disrespect to Widnes I think we could rotate here despite the injuries. Bring Croft, Wray, Hooley in as well Bachelor and Hirst back. I really think we need to give Fifita and Pauli a rest we don't want them burning out. I think Lynne (played every game) has deserved a week off as well. Go with something like this.

1 Jowitt
2 Kershaw
3 MCB
4 Croft
5 BJB
6 Reynolds
7 Hampshire
8 Kopczak
9 Randell
10 Hirst
11 Bachelor
12 Kirmond
13 Crowther
14 King
15 Hooley
16 Horo
17 Wray

That squads more than good enough to win this game.

Most important game of the season so far, please let us play at Wembley this year!

totally agree re big Dave , re Pauli not quite sure why he’d need resting , came on at hudddrsfield for 12 minutes and was immediately subbed for lack of tackling and commitment

He could do to play the full 80

I agree. Only one I'd rest is Fifita.
Lyne will be fine.

PP could do with the game time anyway and will hurt them in short stints.

With the top 8 from the previous season joining the comp at such a late stage (only 3 games from Wembley), every club worth their salt should be targeting Cup success.
After all, there are only 2 trophies up for grabs each season (plus the hub cap) and we (and others) should be busting a gut to get there.
Certainly is we make it to the semis, we should rotate the squad as much as neccessary to give ourselves a shot at making the final.

It would do wonders for our support and put a few quid into the bank as well.

Apart from making the GF, there is no better way of elevating the clubs profile and attracting new fans.

One game at a time though and Widnes will be well up for this one.
Their 12 point deduction aside, they have been doing pretty well this season would be sitting around 4th in The Championship.

If possible I'd leave out Big Dave, Kirmond and Kopczak.

Widnes will be up for this one i have no doubt.

Theyll be trying to prove a point that theyre a decent outfit, that were ravaged by injuries and that our recent record isnt that good in the cup.

A lot of people are saying this could be our year, and this is a tricky tie, and with that in mind I would give the oppisition the respect they deserve, and go in with our strongest possible squad.

Also with the players out, I think were hardly in a position to rest players

Yes, go in with our strongest available 17 I say! We’re busted yes, but we’ll have had a full seven day turnaround as opposed to their five and it should be a little less intense than facing super league opposition...

It would be ideal if we could be comfortable enough throughout the game to give big Dave a kind of rest and maybe limit him to two 10-15 minute bursts!

We are busted but we're not.

We would be a better team if we had the 12 missing players available but due to good team planning we are still a strong team. A few years ago the team we are still putting out would have been considered as reasonable. and it would have been backed up by no better thean what we have left in the youth ranks, Kershaw as a prime example that the talent is still available all be it a bit raw.

2 from 4 must have given these fringe players a great deal of confidence whilst players like Lyne and Fifita ect can see their own efforts are not in vain. We are doing ok.