I am sure this subject will come up by the time the millenium matches are over, but what would your stance be on putting players out in pre-season friendlies ?

At the start of every season we have excuses about "being a bit underdone" or players "not yet match fit", yet we pass up the chance to give top players an extended run-out in the friendlies.
Isn't that what they are there for ?

Yes, we can get injuries (like last time we went to Donny), but you can get injured in any match so on that basis you wouldn't play top players in any game !

I just think in these days of only 27 league games, 1 cup competition, and then playoffs we should play a top team as much as possible pre-season (at least 2 half games) so that we are up to speed before we go down to Cardiff.

Remember if you hear the words "a bit under done" from Agar, you heard it here first !!

Friendlies are all about getting players a little bit match fitter as well as fine tuning a few other things they have been working on in training. If you are not going to give your starting 13/17 a run out then they are pointless.

I said this last year too (and possibly the year before). If we've only got 2 friendlies before the season starts, we need to get the players who will start the season out on the park playing together.

No offence to the young players but I don't want to travel to a friendly to watch the under 20s. Yes there's a risk of injury but get the first choice 17 match practice together.

Will the new owners of the SMC let us have a home game next year??

It isn't an SMC issue, Agar doesn't hold much value in the games so I doubt we'd ever play anyone that would attract a viable crowd.

You haven't forgotten we played RH's testemonial have you?

agree with that, if we where to have 4 friendlies then maybe try a few combinations, but with only the 2 we have got to get our starting 17 some game time together, for however long that starting 17 stays the same which i doubt will be long. ( no pun intended! )

so to answer the original question, yes definately friendlies, its gutting if you lose someone to injury in a game but its the chance thats got to be taken.

Never in a million years if it were my choice, the risks far outweigh the positives from a friendly however there are other boardroom deals behind these games which dictate they must go ahead AND with a decent squad on show!!
but if it were me it would be match number one is first run out not friendlies, there is no such thing as a friendly in RL and thats the problem

So you would be happier if we run out at Cardiff against Rovers with no match practice whatsoever? You can only do so much in training and it still takes a fair few games to get match fit.

players need game time before the season starts, personally i dont go to friendlies because they are just glorified training sessions (unless its a players testamonial then i make the effort). ive said in another thread somewhere and i'll say it again, i would get rid of the friendlies and bring back the county cups as a pre season warm up tornement(s), if a team got knocked out in the 1st round they could arrange friendly matches against another team that also got knocked out if they wished. there would be more silverware in the game and teams would be well and truly warmed up for the season proper.

These games will be good to get our backup half backs working together.

For me our 1st team squad need to all play in both friendlies if they aren't injured. If we want to give the kids a go too we need to arrange a 3rd friendly.

The only purpose friendlies serve for me, as a supporter, is an extra opportunity to see the team, even if it's only half a team. I fully agree with Neil Hudgell's view expressed on RH that 13 guaranteed home games a season is not enough - only one a month over the year. He meant it from a financial perspective, but from my point of view as a supporter, I do think we could have a longer league season, in the context of the old days of the floodlit trophy, regal trophy etc. Maybe this is clouded by our early exits from the cup/play-offs. Whilst I love lots of things about the modern game, including summer rugby, Friday nights, a gazillion interchanges etc, I certainly wouldn't complain with a few more home matches each season. The players probably wouldn't be happy but it would also test depth of squad and potentially give more opportunities for young, emerging players.

I like the idea of the return of the County cups. It would allow players to get match fit for Super League in meaningful matches. The fans would have something to look forward to early in the season and it could be financially beneficial to Championship clubs if they get a home draw against a big Super League club.
Plus it gives Rovers and Hull a realistic chance to win something without having to worry about Wigan, Wire and Saints.

even with friendlies players are still a way off match fit however the time in wales has been constant simulation senarios day after day so the lads are as match fit as they could be right now !!, there is sometimes a lot of kudos placed on this "gotta be match fit" illusion however at Pro level most lads who look after themselves could play a decent game after a decent warm up for 30 mins never mind friendlies... just my opinion however most players hate friendlies because of the risk for no real reward if that makes sense

Got to agree with you there a floodlit cup sounds a good idea with all matches played at night!!! that would be fun huh and most clubs could handle that with todays floodlighting systems , its a wonder nobody thought of that before but a great idea !!