Team v Saints

[Blackpool_Pie]

As bad as it is to have Zak out along with Marshy and our other starting centres in Thornley and obviously KPP out, I still think any team with Field and French coming into some sort of fitness are dangerous all over the park.

To win on Friday we will need every player from 1-17 to put in a performance too.

Field
French
Bateman
Isa
Bibby

Cust
Leuluai

Singleton
Powell
Bryne
Mcdonnell
Farrell
Shorrocks

Mago
Partington
Smithies
Havard


Toss up really between Halsall to centre with Isa in the pack and Mcdonnell starting second row.
I still feel we just about have enough to stay in the game if everyone tips up. Massive games needed from everyone. No point pinpointing anyone. We can't have any passengers tomorrow.

[morley pie eater]

As bad as it is to have Zak out along with Marshy and our other starting centres in Thornley and obviously KPP out, I still think any team with Field and French coming into some sort of fitness are dangerous all over the park.

To win on Friday we will need every player from 1-17 to put in a performance too.

Field
French
Bateman
Isa
Bibby

Cust
Leuluai

Singleton
Powell
Bryne
Mcdonnell
Farrell
Shorrocks

Mago
Partington
Smithies
Havard


Toss up really between Halsall to centre with Isa in the pack and Mcdonnell starting second row.
I still feel we just about have enough to stay in the game if everyone tips up. Massive games needed from everyone. No point pinpointing anyone. We can't have any passengers tomorrow.

Field
French
Bateman
Bibby
Halsall

Cust
Leuluai

Singleton
Powell
Mago
Isa
Farrell
Smithies

Partington
Byrne
Havard
Shorrocks

[Dan2266]

Hardaker has been stepped down from selection for a couple of punctuality breaches. Nothing serious

I believe he was out on a night out before training on the final occasion, this was after the Wakefield game.

[josie andrews]

Saints squad

St Helens

1 Jack Welsby
2 Tommy Makinson
3 Will Hopoate
4 Mark Percival
6 Jonny Lomax
7 Lewis Dodd
8 Alex Walmsley
9 James Roby
10 Matty Lees
12 Joe Batchelor
13 Morgan Knowles
14 Joey Lussick
15 LMS
17 Agnatius Paasi
19 Jake Wingfield
20 James Bell
22 Ben Davies
23 Konrad Hurrell
24 Dan Norman
26 Sam Royle
27 Jon Bennison

[the pieman]

Saints squad

St Helens

1 Jack Welsby
2 Tommy Makinson
3 Will Hopoate
4 Mark Percival
6 Jonny Lomax
7 Lewis Dodd
8 Alex Walmsley
9 James Roby
10 Matty Lees
12 Joe Batchelor
13 Morgan Knowles
14 Joey Lussick
15 LMS
17 Agnatius Paasi
19 Jake Wingfield
20 James Bell
22 Ben Davies
23 Konrad Hurrell
24 Dan Norman
26 Sam Royle
27 Jon Bennison

this is where i think we have a better / deeper squad than Saints (not saying we are going to win anything or we are better than them), and if they were hit with injuries like we have had in the past couple of seasons, then they would struggle. If they had key players out like we have had then they definitely would (I know we cant rewrite history and it didnt happen, so probably irrelevant).

if you look at their 21 for GF with 3 missing out of their starting line up, they are looking thin in quality further down the pecking order, and only missing 1 back and 1 forward from their starting 1-13. Our bench will be stronger, but we need to be able to match their intensity in the forwards in the opening 20 mins to give us a fighting chance

[Charriots Offiah]

I am not worried about the result, all I am expecting is a good performance from all of our 17. Whatever happens, be assured that the semi-final will be a different game altogether. Our team, especially our coaches, will learn a lot from this fixture.

[morley pie eater]

I am not worried about the result, all I am expecting is a good performance from all of our 17. Whatever happens, be assured that the semi-final will be a different game altogether. Our team, especially our coaches, will learn a lot from this fixture.

Agree 100%.

I'll be happy with 2 good performances with plenty team spirit and endeavour on display, maintaining the progress we've made.

I'd be hopeful that we can start to match Saints by next season. It's too soon to expect that at this stage, though we can still hope.

[Shaun1967]

I am not worried about the result, all I am expecting is a good performance from all of our 17. Whatever happens, be assured that the semi-final will be a different game altogether. Our team, especially our coaches, will learn a lot from this fixture.

Control Alex Walmsley and you control a huge part of the way Saints play.
Move up quick on him and take him low….. stops his metres after contact plus he seems to be picking up a few knocks lately.
Sounds easy but it’s a bit like them saying stop Jai Field and you stop Wigan.

[blindsideprop]

Hardaker has been stepped down from selection for a couple of punctuality breaches. Nothing serious

I believe he was out on a night out before training on the final occasion, this was after the Wakefield game.

To the management that is serious enough to leave him out.The man is a moron,will never change and is a waste of talent.

[DaveO]

Hardaker has been stepped down from selection for a couple of punctuality breaches. Nothing serious

I believe he was out on a night out before training on the final occasion, this was after the Wakefield game.

Well if this is true it’s a complete overreaction by the club. I was only thinking about this before I saw your post. He’s been dropped yet he’s still in the fold and in contention for the next game? If you do something to get yourself dropped from the biggest game of the season so far, a game very important to the fans, how is it possible if the week after it’s like nothing happened?

Just fine him for goodness sake. The people who are punished from this the most are his teammates who are missing someone in form and their goal kicker and also the fans. I doubt there is one fan out there who doesn’t think this makes a win less likely.