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.

If everything had gone according to "plan" in earlier games, I imagine Ellis would have been earmarked to be rested for one of the Easter games ages ago, but needs must.

Does anyone have a link to the radio coverage? The BBC sport one doesn't seem to be working for me.