London : Wed Aug 16, 2023 8:11 pm  

Last weeks game will doubtless have taken a lot out of the team, so I'd expect Grix to utilise several who missed out at Wembley. I'd be surprised if he didn't find a place for Crooks and Sutcliffe; normally you'd expect Keyes if fit to be a certainty, but I've not a clue who he'd drop to accommodate him, as in my view JWH, Jouffret and Pickersgill all deserve their place. If one was to go I'd reluctantly drop Pickersgill and move JWH back to fullback. Then he's still got the luxury of Fleming, Tibbs and Inman as cover for any players carrying knocks. Not a bad situation ti be in at this stage of the season.

Re: London : Wed Aug 16, 2023 8:47 pm  

A very tough but equally important game as we return to the league . We return to the capital trying to maintain a place in the playoffs. Regardless of my opinions on whether we are ready for superleague or not every game has to be played with that being the objective. It’s gonna be nip and tuck whether we actually make the playoffs but if we do I think we have a good chance of winning it . Back to the game , many players I would imagine being emotionally and physically drained with the story of the weekend and the logistics involved but I would imagine some of the players who didn’t feature in the final will play , crooks ,tibbs , inman , Keyes , Fleming , sutcliffe all should be available to refresh the side hopefully this will be enough to see us grab victory again .

Re: London : Thu Aug 17, 2023 8:15 am  

I would expect there will be some rotation. I wouldn't be surprised if Jouffret was left out for Keyes. Whilst overall he has had a good season, I think there is a frustration at the number of errors and incorrect decisions he has been making in recent weeks.

Re: London : Thu Aug 17, 2023 8:36 am  

Joufret would be the first name on my team sheet, especially now he's got his eye in re his kicking. Maybe rest Moore and have Joufret backing up AOB at hooker (he used to play there). Looks like Wood has retired early and Grix seems nervous about including a raw Inman.

Will be a tough ask to pick ourselves back up again, but as mentioned we have enough replacements to add some freshness.

Not a "must win" game but obviously a win would be massive against a key rival. We have the easiest run in along with Batley, playing 3 of the bottom teams in our last 6 games, with the rest of our rivals mainly playing each other thereby taking points of each other. Widnes have the hardest finish with their "easiest" game being against York, and Sheffield also have a tough finish - nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see them get pipped at the post and seeing Aston's miserable mug blaming everyone else for their failure.

We're still in the driving seat for a top 6 finish so going for a narrow Fax win of 22-20 against a nervous London.

Re: London : Thu Aug 17, 2023 9:15 am  

I feel every game now is a must win to finish on the top six. Widnes and London are one point behind us. Widnes beat York (which is real possibility) we lose toLondon and we potentially drop to 8th. Winning this weekend would keep London 3 points behind us.

Re: London : Thu Aug 17, 2023 1:57 pm  

London away is always a tough game but the lads have proved they can do it and whilst Saturday will have taken a lot out of them it’s better to be going into it on the back of a win over a loss.

With several teams still fighting it out to get into the playoffs just goes to show how up and down form has been for a number of them and how competitive the league has become.

Re: London : Thu Aug 17, 2023 3:29 pm  

A very tough game to call,we have played pretty much every week since the start of the season while most other sides have had some free weekends to recharge their batteries. I say it most games the start for me will be crucial we are battle hardened so if we can catch London cold a bit like Sheffield but then go on with it we could pick up a important 2 points.

Re: London : Thu Aug 17, 2023 6:07 pm  

Aye, this game will be a tough one and is undoubtedly a four pointer. I expect Simon to freshen the team up and, if fit, introduce Joe Keyes back into the team. What a boost he would be for the run in. As with most games this season with us it's almost impossible to forecast but if we can do it i would think it would more or less cement our place in the playoffs. Up The Fax!

Re: London : Fri Aug 18, 2023 11:44 am  

Squad out and the only changes are Crooks and Tibbs coming in for McComb and Inman.

Difficult to see who will be dropped from last week, unless there's some knocks. But would have thought Keyes, Crooks and Sutcliffe will play, in place of McComb and 2 further unknowns. The biggest dilemma is who makes way for Keyes. Pickersgill, Woodburn Hall and Joufret have all been outstanding. As I've said - probably have Joufret back up AOB at hooker and rest Moore who ran his blood to water at Wembley.

Re: London : Fri Aug 18, 2023 12:31 pm  

Crookes and Sooty will play but not sure on how LJ would cope with having to defend down the middle against a big London pack so Brandon and O'Brien in the nines and party trick roles.
Keyes could be held back for another week but if not go with the strongest original starting line up of Keyes, LJ and Woody at 6,7 and 1 with an unfortunate Pickers 18th man / missing out?