Neither a big win or a bad loss would surprise me at this point.

If we defend like rugby players who tackle other players for a living then I can see us winning comfortably.

But if we defend like we defend then we could ship another 50.

I wonder if we'll see any dummy runners this month. It would make our job a lot easier if we built good attacking opportunities like a proper team and didn't just cross our fingers and hope for something random like a 60m scoot.

A middle 8's derby on the cards .

I doubt it, it's still early season. FC will come good.

On the cards lol no chance

Probably unlikely but lose the next three and we are going to be under massive pressure.

I'll be disappointed with our squad if we aren't in the play off at the end of the year.

Saying that last season it was only 20 points for the top 8, this season is very tight so doubt it would be more than that, so we need 5 more wins from 13 games to stay clear of the middle 8's.

fc will be fine, any talk of middle 8s is premature, a top 4 finish and a decent cup run is more than likely , as long as you stay clear of injuries to key players,

Heard Ellis is playing tomorrow, anyone else this?

5th with breathing space atm

I read elsewhere he wasn't, if he is played as a gamble and is not absolutely 100% fit and he pulls up and out for the season LR will cop a lot of flack and rightly so IMO.
Against a side that isn't exactly top 4 material is it really worth it, are we that desperate that we feel the need to play him?

I'll trust the coaching staff on this one.

Nearly impossible to pick a squad the day afterwards a game to know who is fit etc, like last year I wouldn't be suprised to see a few changes to the squad

I see (and a fair few more Id imagine) what you're doing there.

Can't imagine there are many 100% fit players in any SL squad today. We need the points, have several injured and face Cas next.

I can't imagine who posted that.

IF Gareth does end up finishing playing then the decision to extend his contract will have been a delightful is ion (to extend) will have been between the coaching/medical staff, Motu and, ultimately, AP.

I hope he plays and proves people wrong.

Ellis named on the bench

Shaul
Fonua
Connor
Carlos
Michaels
Kelly
Sneyd

Taylor
Washbrook
Watts
Manu
Mini
Thompson

Bench:
Ellis
Litten
Fash
Turgut

Stronger than I expected though how many are 100% is anyones guess. Hope Litten gets more minutes, Washbrook cant play the full 80 at 9, I appluad him for trying to fill in for Houghton but he needs to be spelled with Litten and for more than 10 minutes I feel.