I just thought the bar was already very low with the Cats defeat I found embarrassing. So a battling defeat is not good I agree but it’s a big improvement on throwing the towel in.

Personally, I think the we should show equal character in all games we play. Be it knock out or for league points. Especially now “The monkeys off our back” in the cup.
If anything, i believe it’s the GF they should now want the most, and that means getting the highest league position possible.
But our FC ( like everyone) appear so far behind the top 2 that maybe your right , we are targeting the cup, so that would mean your right again, we should expect to see a bit less character when it’s not a knock out game.
I’d hope not but you may well be right.

I think Radfords whole game plan is based on percentage rugby and fine margins. We rarely steam roller a team, we prefer the path of grinding them down - all Radfords game plan. Its what weve done for seasons now and granted its actually worked till recently. I think the problem now is if a team gets a few scores ahead of us we cant use the percentage grinding out technique and as we all know theres no plan B so we just cave in - only time this doesnt happen is when we suffer a major injury so have to change tactics ala moving Griffin to full back

This is a MUST WIN - no more to say

A close loss for me.

Then that’s the season over ! We Have to win

All Cup games are 'must win'.

Indeed, that's why it's called knock out rugby. Wouldn't put it past our team to pull a decent performance out of the bag, will it be good enough?, we will see.

There is a spectrum of 'must wins'
This match is at the end of the spectrum.

Our season won't be over, IF we lose tonight. We can still, and will, make top 5. Then who knows?

Fancy a comfortable win tonight, 14-18 points

Hope you are right Windy, normally with that team Cas have announced, our team on paper has the edge, But we’re very very unpredictable, Jekyll and Hyde almost. Which team will turn up, the Mr Hyde or the Doctor.

Short memory

Last season being knocked out at Saints was going to see us use the weekends off to storm into the Top 4
Remember ???
I do

After losing in the CC the worst dross in club history was served up

We HAVE to win

I have very long memory thank you.

Last year was last year, and IF we lose tonight we have a lot of season left.

So whilst it would be preferable to win tonight. We don't HAVE to.

That said I do agree that it is a game we should be winning, particularly with the respective team selections.

What a surprise, McShane and Millington fit after all - double timely boost.

We still got a strong team. No excuse COYH