[Bullseye]

Re: Fev (H) Play Off : Wed Oct 02, 2024 3:29 pm  

Smith seems to be a steadying influence even if I can walk quicker than he can run.

Re: Fev (H) Play Off : Wed Oct 02, 2024 5:14 pm  

Smith doesn’t look a physical specimen and has been injured a lot of the season but when he does play he provides an attacking link that no one else can do in the team. He a bit of a throwback as an old fashioned ball playing forward. Wether EOC goes down that route or just goes for a power option will be interesting to see.
With Fev having a big pack as well I think he will go down the power route.

Re: Fev (H) Play Off : Wed Oct 02, 2024 10:20 pm  

It's been a strange end to the season having known our finishing position for a few weeks (even pre-fax realistically speaking).

Entering the play-offs will (or certainly should) bring a different mentality and focus to the group. It has the makings of a great contest, but I'll go out on a limb and say we should have enough quality in the squad to see us through.

Re: Fev (H) Play Off : Fri Oct 04, 2024 11:07 am  

Ok, one decision made. Gaskell isn't in the 21man squad

Re: Fev (H) Play Off : Fri Oct 04, 2024 11:40 am  

Highlander wrote:

Ok, one decision made. Gaskell isn't in the 21man squad

Good news. Didn't look interested recently.
Strong team too

Holmes
Okunbor
Myers
Gill
Taufua
Sammut
Lilley
Smith
Souter
Lawrence
Appo
Fulton
Doro

Ott
Pele
Scurr
Davies

Bayliss to replace Doro if not fit.
To miss out
Hallas
Lehmann
Makin
Bayliss/Doro

Re: Fev (H) Play Off : Fri Oct 04, 2024 12:12 pm  

God I hope Hallas doesn't play. He is a liability in games like this and ends up getting drawn into one-on-one battles instead of doing his job.

Squad looks strong overall and its going to be interesting to see who EOC goes with in the pack. Makin has been pretty good for us but is inexperienced, whereas Smith has had a stop-start campaign but has that game smarts that only experience brings.

Tough call to make whatever the decision.

Re: Fev (H) Play Off : Fri Oct 04, 2024 12:27 pm  

Ok, so the backs are fairly straightforward to pick:
Holmes
Okunbor
Myers (nominated for Championship young player of the year!)
Gill
Taufua
Sammut
Lilley

Forwards more complicated. I think Doro will be fit so the decision I think will be between Bayliss, Makin and Smith.
EoC rates Makin & Hallas which will make this difficult.
Makin has been playing well, but he is on loan. I think we prioritise our own players.
The bench I agree with.

Smith/Bayliss
Souter
Lawrence
Appo
Fulton
Doro

Ott
Pele
Scurr
Davies

Re: Fev (H) Play Off : Fri Oct 04, 2024 1:14 pm  

Looking like our strongest squad of the season. Our forwards look very strong! Backs pretty much pick themselves with Okunbor and Taufua coming straight back in to the starting line up.

Correct decision to drop Gaskell. He's been poor for a number of weeks. Sammut can be a liability but he also has that spark to come up with some individual brilliance and can be a game changer.

Bring on Sunday!

[Pumpetypump]

Re: Fev (H) Play Off : Fri Oct 04, 2024 4:30 pm  

I don't have a good feeling about this one. Not sure why, but I can imagine it being a limp performance where our attack is completely absent and we lose 26-8. I will of course edit this post at 4.30 on Sunday.

Re: Fev (H) Play Off : Fri Oct 04, 2024 5:37 pm  

Well to counter that I’m feeling confident think we’ll have too much for fev, we are stronger in the forwards, an embarrassment of riches there, hope mr Patton is in their ranks, think he might get a tad frustrated.