Ok. Any ideas? We look a busted team .What changes does Smith make? Surely time to give at least a few of the youngsters a go.

Litten
Swift
Wynne
Tuimavave
Mcintosh
Sutcliffe
Mcnamara
Taylor
Balmforth
Brown
Savelio
Griffin
Cator

Sao
Satae
Staveley
Dwyer

Leeds will be rubbing their hands, another shafting on the cards for me.

I wonder if Clifford will be fit, think they were considering brining him on, but with the game gone, wasn't worth the risk.

What about Mitch, injured?

Not sure about Wynne, followed the games he has played for Newcastle, doesn't seem to have stood out, should really be at that level.

Mitch didn't look great, when he was helped off, Clifford came out during half time but could hardly run so they will both be huge doubts.

By all accounts newcastle are nearly as bad as us so it would be quite hard for any of our lads to shine, although Stavely seems to have impressed by all accounts.

They main thing is getting the pack right. Win the forward battle and you'll give yourself the chance of winning the game.

Your forwards win the game, your backs decide by how many.

I'd like to see Lovodua given a chance at 9, he just hasn't been given that opportunity there and I'd just like to see how he goes there.

I'd start with a back row 3 of Sao, Andre and Fash. Using Griffin from the bench.

Satae has to be one of the starting props He's the only one that goes forward. Probably have to go with Taylor as the other starter. Brown would come in on the bench for me. He's probably the best go forward option to interchange with Satae. Dwyer on the bench for if things ain't working out with Lovodua.

Hopefully Clifford will be OK to go. If not then we have no one to capitalise even if the pack does win the forward battle.

I'm basically clutching at straws.I'd be happy to see some kids in there.

This game is actually the most winnable out of the next few, we have 2 days more rest (could do with Hudds smacking Leeds about a bit) and our recent record at Headingley is good. Leeds also have one of the smaller packs, though Oldezeki makes a difference for them.

Crazy that we are playing there again so soon tho, hope IMG sort out these loop games and general lopsidedness of fixtures.

I think we’ll line up with something like this

Litten
Swift
Sutty
Carlos
McIntosh
Lovodua
Benny Mac
Satae
Houghton
Taylor
Griffin
Savelio
Cator

Fash
Brown
Sao
Dwyer

However, I’d love to be surprised and see some young guns like Stavely, Balmforth, Gardner, Laidlow given a go. Maybe even a young halfback

Litten
Barron
Scott
Sutcliffe
Swift
Mcnamara
Clifford/Medforth
Satae
Dwyer
Fash
Savelio
Griffin
Cator

Gardiner
Brown
Balmforth
Staveley

Well a lot depends on Clifford’s availability as can’t see us doing anything if Lovodua is back in the halves.

I’d go with Sutcliffe in the halves if Clifford isn’t fit. Think it’s time for Staveley to be given an opportunity and possibly Balmforth. Though thought Laidlaw was good when he was given a chance last season and possible opportunity for Gardiner.

Forwards Taylor, Satae, Sao & Brown is about as good as we can go.

Litten has to be given the FB role.

Other than that don’t really know what other main changes can be made as so many should be dropped based on performances.

Be surprised if Lovodua is still at the club let alone back in the side.

We'll see how many signings come in this week before deciding on a team for Friday

Surely Smith cant play Tuimavave or McNamara if he is true to his word about performance
Litten has to start at full back
Hopefully Mitch injury not too bad and and he can play centre and if Clifford had a pain injection and was trying to run it off then he may make it too.
Bit of radical thinking Tony, try Balmforth at six

Leeds looking poor so far against Huddersfield.

We need an injection of desire, commitment and intensity of major proportions and the only way we’d get that is with with youth. Far too many seniors just lacking in heart & desire which shows in what must be the laziest and slowest team in SL history as there’s no desire to get off the line to defend.

It will interesting to see if there is any reaction from our team on Friday. I sit in W4 section and that’s where all the players see their families after the game. After the Rovers games, all the players are signaling that they were going down the tunnel, you could tell they’d been told. Only Jamie Shaul came over, but was obviously in pain with his leg.

Certainly a change in mood, after the Leigh defeat, Taylor was laughing and joking with someone in the crowd within 2 minutes of the hooter. I don’t expect players to be punished, but I do expect them to hurt after a defeat, especially when it’s embarrassing or unexpected.

Sadly, the nature of contracts means that these days the players get paid regardless. All are protected to at least the end of the season. It’s a shame they are not performance related, with a basic pay, with added payments if they are in the playing 17 and for winning. I doubt now with the advent of Agents that such a contract would ever be signed. However, for those who are not performing there is no incentive to be in the team nor win.