I wouldn't want to lose by 50, because that would damage confidence. But if we'd gone down by 6 and come through with a clean bill of health, I'd have been very happy with that.

Well winning may be important to some, but if so then derbies should never be a preseason friendly, or at least never your first friendly.

I'm personally starting to get derby burnout. When we were in different divisions I was all for the pre-season 'friendly'. However, now that we have competitive derbies, and at least 3 per season at that, I think we should ditch it. I understand why it's still chosen (money), but in all honesty I'd rather we play someone else. A fair bit of the ferocity of over-reaction is almost certainly down to identity of the opposition, in which case it has overshadowed what purpose the game was really supposed to serve.

I feel the same tbh, I no longer work with any dobbins so do not even get the banter. Don't get me wrong I suppose it is nice to get the win but personally this season I think I would be more excited about beating Leeds!

Agree with that, suppose in the heat of the game it seemed to matter (as it did to FC when they beat us in the RH testimonial a couple of years ago) and the victory against the old enemy is always sweeter than if we'd turned over someone like Cas in a preseason game but in the cold light of day its irrelevant.

As a run out it gives an added intensity to the preseason as I'm sure the teams realise it means a bit more to the fans but it probably detracts from the real derbies (and the extra one for magic) and they should be kept a bit more special by being less of them.

[sizeplus it does get boring winning them

They are spoiling the event IMO. I was the wrong match with 3 more fixtures already to go at in the season. Worse still the teams weren't even at the same stage of their preparation. Undervalues the fixture completely and it's the reason I didn't go this week. Looking forward to next week's game instead.

I think Bratfud will run you ragged.

I can't believe you called me the c-word for squabbling in Tokelau!

After all thats gone on at the club in recent years i dont understand what the club was thinking by having a friendly against our most hated Neighbours and making it our first hit out is even more stupid imo. Yes each club has raised £50K+ but the down side is Rovers got a load of injuries and we ended up looking no better than we have done for four years because it was too early (I hope) in our preperations for the new season meaning the stay away supported like myself may think twice about spending loads of money supporting the club again when it still seems to be the same cack on the field as before.

If ever there was a must win friendly its against Bradford because if we dont then i can seriously see myself (and five more) staying away from the Warrington fixture which was gonna be our first game back and instead waiting and seeing what happens.

I will put my hand up and say being beat by Rovers in any game miffs me, but on the other side of the coin I could never get excited about friendlies in rugby or football, and for that reason alone I stayed away.(good job as it happens. )

Its all part of a cunning plan,can`t you see that??
We play crap in the pre season, lull the opposition into thinking we are pants,then unleash ourselves on S.L. like a coiled spring.

Hope so, not a lot to be gained meeting an undercooked team in a friendly.