And that is what bothers me,if he is not going to figure again this season why did we not just let him go,pretty sure he said he only wanted one season over here and we have not heard of any extension.

I don't want to belittle Hull's two results in the run up to Wembley - a wins a win. But whilst Widnes and Catalan may well be current top eight sides, neither are playing with top eight form. Widnes had lost 13 and won only 4 since we beat them in Round 7, and Catalan had 1 win (against Widnes) in their last 7 before having their tummies tickled at your place. Take away their impressive starts to the season and both teams would probably be fighting it out in the qualifiers .



I just hope that by the final hooter on Saturday the better team has won rather than being due to a refereeing decision, lucky bounce of the ball or injury (unless of course we win due to a referee decision or lucky bounce - I'd take that

)

Ideally id like our team to look like this:



Ratch



Penny

Evans

Atkins

Russell



Gids

Sandow



Hill

Clark

Sims

Currie

Hughes

Westerman



Dwyer

Westwood

Bailey

G. King



18th man - Cox/Dodds (If fit)

Yep and that's mine as well

Not ideal to change now and Toby was more comfortable against Cas than he was previously.

Probably had some nerves in the first couple, trying desperately not to make errors and trying too hard to impress.



The only change for me if enforced is Ratchford to loose, Penny on wing, Russell FB.

As you point out, if it is imperative to finish top there are no dead rubbers ,but at least, as it stands, we are guaranteed top 4. If finishing top is the goal then i doubt Dodds will play again for the Wire this season.

Does anyone know when the team will be announced? In a "normal" match it would be 2.00 pm Thursday.

Never in a month of Sundays would Ratchford be put at loose. Westwood would start and play as a 3rd prop just like we always used to. Or alternately Currie go into 13 and westwood at 2nd row. Currie has a pair of hands on him like Westerman does so could make a better fit. The problem is I doubt Westwood could put in an effective 80 minutes in the back row like Currie, Hughes and Westerman can. He's an impact prop off the bench now. Sneyd would have a field day with Russell at full back. His positioning is woeful, couple that with the fact he cant catch or pass. you may as well give them the cup now.

Westwood may well start loose but he's only going to be spelled and used as a prop.

Westerman had good hands and is used like a stand off as is Currie.

Ratchford will almost certainly feature at loose if Westerman misses out.

Penny hasn't been 18th man for the last 2 weeks for nothing. Dropped on disciplinary not form.

As for Snyde....he isn't the threat that steers the pack, it's Danny Houghton.

One of your two before wembley was against wakey who were hammered the following week by widnes so I reckon our game was probably a bit more challenging. catalans were awful on the night but taking on their pack is never a pushover so I'm happy with those 2 games where we didn;t pick up any injuries which is the most important bit for me

I can understand the calls for Penny to come back in to the side, but I'm not sure how comfortable I am in him coming in 'cold' so to speak. Russell & Evans to continue for me, don't see the sense in making structural changes or bringing back players who aren't match ready at this point.