I'd say any edge we gain, even the slightest edge, is more than worth misleading the fans for, why should the fans get to know the ins and outs of our line up or the tactics prior to the game.

Sean Long is our main man, therefore part of Noble's game plan will have been to minimise his threat. They will have watched videos of him during the week to see the way he plays and look for chinks in his armour. If all of a sudden the teams are announced and for example Tansey is at 7, all that work will have been for nothing. The Superleague is so tight that it's the little details that often win games, any little bit of information is useful to the players, whether it's which moves he likes to use or which shoulder he tackles better with.

The fact that someone comes on here claiming that Longy is out (and lets be honest, they don't know either way), and you then claim that the club is in some way decieving the fans is laughable. Besides, Agar's explanation has been perfectly plausible so far, I reckon it's more than likely that no mind games are going on at all. They are been given until the last minute to prove their fitness, they may play or they may miss out. He has brought Turner into the squad just in case they do miss out.

I dont like being lied to. If a player is likely to be out injured for the next 3 weeks then just say so.

Again this is all hypothetical ATM.

Whats laughable is your comprehension skills. At no point have I said the club ARE deceiving us. I have simply stated that if Long is touch and go this week with a bang on the leg he should have no problem playing next week. IF he is subsequently out for the next 3 weeks with a hamstring problem as some people are claiming then clearly the club have misled the fans as to the extent and cause of the injury.

Nail on the head !
Come on people, a Dobbin comes on here and claims that Long is definitely out for at least a month and some on here are believing it.
That is unless you believe that Agar for the next four weeks is gonna include Long in his squad simply to pull the wool over the oppositions eyes !!!
There must be even a slim chance he will play some part on Sunday with Agar giving him right up to kick off to assess it or he wouldnt be there on the list , Simples !

Thats not necessarily the case.

I disgree as our right edge structure in defence would change as Washy/Turner would defend inside of Yeaman unlike Long who defends out side of him IMO.

Ok so as it's been in the public domain most of the week that Long is a doubt for the game I reckon Noble will have alternative gameplans if Long doesn't play so where is the edge in pretending he might play?

Fully agree. Long's our go-to player and a main target for the opposition. Why assist their gameplanning when you don't need to?

ok hunch time, will both horne and long play, one of them play or neither?

i'm going for one

Both.

Ok then since there is only one option left I will go for

None

£5 on it !!