Working up here in Cumbria, I,ve been told by the Raiders Supporters Club that 12 coaches of supporters and probably more than that amount in cars are coming across the border maybe close to a thousand fans. As they are famous for drinking a lot of beer and eating burgers, should we prepare for the invasion of the pubs, chippies, burger vans etc.

Do you think Mick Potter will play a few more younger players or will he give Barrow Raiders some respect and select a strong team.

he should give them more respect..from what ive seen of barrow over the last season theyre a good team.

There should be a really good following from South Cumbria. 12 x 54 seater official coaches, plus the usual unofficial mini-buses and plenty of cars. I'd say a minimum of 1,500.

A lot of Saints fans have complained about paying £15 for a 'practice match'. On paper, Yes. But fortunately sport isn't played on paper. It's just a shame that many seem have stated they'll be staying at home to watch Wigan instead of [itheir[/i team. The ironic thing is that if we'd have been pulled out of the hat first, it would have been an 8,000 sellout at Craven Park - guaranteed.

I'm really looking forward to the match - whatever the result.

Should be a good game in all honesty, it's a cup 1/4 final at the end of the day and they deserve respect for what they've already done in the competition. I would put out the strongest possible side and I'd be surprised if we don't.

If Mick Potter puts out a strong team I reckon there will be a decent crowd of 6000 to 7000 fans. Hope the barrow fans make a lot of noise and enjoy the game which historically is the last challenge cup game being played at knowsley road.

Don,t know if DES is coming down on the team coach, if he,s travelling in his aston martin you might need to pre warn him we have some vicious speed bumps here in St Helens.

I wouldn't rest anybody, with the top eight system in superleague there's plenty of opportunity for squad rotation. Were only two games from a Wembley final, financially Its bigger than the Grand Final.
Foot to the throat for me.

Tricky game i think. From what i've seen of Barrow on Sky, they look a very decent side. I'd maybe look to give anyone with a knock a rest, but anyone thats fully fit should play, IMO.

Can't see 5,000 turning up for this. I know I'll be on my own in the stand where I sit, everyone else has already said they are not going.

It's a shame, a cup run and a draw like the one Barrow have had should mean a big day out for the Barrow fans and players. Instead it'll be little different than their average Championship game, other than the opposition will be better (If we play a full strength side).

Speaking of the side we put out, I feel we'll need a strong 13. We can rest a few but wholescale changes aren't possible if we want to win the game.

9,500 for me

Don't rest anyone.

Cas (above Salford who we lost to) lost to Barrow. Complacency could cost us - they're a decent side.

They certainly are decent, they may not have supposed "star names" but in their squad they have a full 17 players with SL experience, admittedly some of them were a long time ago but they have proved they can raise their game away to Cas.

Ned Catic, Matt James, Jamie Rooney, Andrew Henderson (also NRL), Andrew Bracek, Zeb Luisi, Paul Noone, Richard Fletcher, Jermaine McGilvary, Rob Roberts, Gary Broadbent and Anthony Blackwood on loan from Crusaders RL - and is elligible

Also Liam Campbell, Andy Ballard, James Coyle, Michael Knowles, Liam Harrison all started their careers in SL - but may never have played first team

Its a good draw for us, especially at home and we should win but they are definitely not to be under estimated - same team as against KR should play with Wello back in if he feels ok, the prize is a neutral semi final and 80mins from another wembley trip...

You would hope and expect Barrow to bring the entire townsfolk with them. Biggest game for them in many a year, plus a chance to see Knowsley Road ( GPW Recruitment stadium ) in her final year of existence. They should flock down to the metropolis, bask in the ambience and enjoy the sounds, smells, and delights of one of europes biggest and best known towns , St Helens !

There might be more of them than us, as it seems most of sintellins is staying in the boozers to watch Leeds rip apart Wigoon Worryers.

A big game, yes, but last years home game in the Cup against Wigan, the NR Cup Final and the Championship Grand Final were all probably 'bigger' games for the club to be honest.

Going by the stay-aways on this forum, it's just a shame that we won't be getting the payday we deserve for getting this far.

should always show respect to the oposition but anyone carrying any sort of injury that would benefit from a rest should be rested. No matter how good Barrow look in their division it's still miles away from SL levels so I'd expect us to win comfortably even with 4 or 5 regular players missing from the 17.

Which would be why they kicked an SL team out of the comp, yes?



If Barrow fans are inclined to think Wigan are a bigger game than Saints then I would put a full squad out with directions to tonk them without mercy from beginning to end.



We should respect them and my gut feeling is that Potter will. Only the wounded should stay off the pitch.

What did saints get for their "free" game against toulouse, cant see there being more than 5500 on for your last CC game at knowsley rd

A poor turnout. But those that did show themselves were very appreciative of Toulouse, especially since they had travelled non-stop for 24 hours to get there, which is fantastic.

The same will be the case with Barrow. The committed fans of Saints will turn up, me included, and we will be just as appreciative of Barrow as we were of Toulouse and just as vocal if there are forward passes (which obviously there are whenever any team other than Saints pass the ball!) or naff reffing decisions or if Barrow give us a fright. No doubt many of us will storm the bastille if we lose!

We will be low on numbers, of that there is no doubt, which is a great shame but that is the way it is in St Helens alas. However, this will be a match of quality rather than quantity and those who turn up will give it their best shot, as ever.

To be fair, the Wigan match was at home in front of an 8,000 sellout. It would have been the same if Saturdays game was at Barrow.

3pm on a Saturday is poor.

Alot of us fans work in retail and a 3pm kick just doesent work.

You could always do the evening drive-thru shift

Im really looking forward to this,
i dont think we have a chance. but who knows.
Imo if you play your full strenght squad well its over, but rest a few. and we wil have a chance


And hopefully we bring a few and show you how rugby should be played


"It’s a one in a million chance, but that’s telling me there is a chance.”

No messin around with this one. Full strength side and send the hordes back to Barradise beaten but unbowed.
A record breaking tenth semi on the bounce sounds good to me.

They certainly are decent, they may not have supposed "star names" but in their squad they have a full 17 players with SL experience,
Ned Catic, Matt James, Jamie Rooney, Andrew Henderson (also NRL), Andrew Bracek, Zeb Luisi, Paul Noone, Richard Fletcher, Jermaine McGilvary, Rob Roberts, Gary Broadbent and Anthony Blackwood on loan from Crusaders RL - and is elligible

Also Liam Campbell, Andy Ballard, James Coyle, Michael Knowles, Liam Harrison all started their careers in SL - but may never have played first team.



Sadly a good few of these playes are crocked therefore will be missing on the day, we just hope to keep it a contest and hold you to a respectible score.

Our fans will



drink you dry & make plenty of

noise.

Forgot about that semi-final stat, onward we go.

Ned Catic, Matt James, Jamie Rooney, Andrew Henderson(also NRL), Andrew Bracek, Zeb Luisi, Paul Noone, Richard Fletcher, Jermaine McGilvary, Rob Roberts, Gary Broadbent, Anthony Blackwood, Liam Campbell, Andy Ballard, James Coyle, Michael Knowles, Liam Harrison,

the ones in bold are injured and i doubt wont be playing
my team would be
1Gary Broadbent
2Andy Ballard
4Liam Harrison
15 Ned catic
25 Jermaine McGilvary
6 Jamie Rooney
19 Nathan Mossop
8 Andy Bracek
Andreas Bauer
16 Brett Mcdermott
17 Paul Noone
24 Richard Fletcher
11 Michael Knowles
subs
12 Rob Roberts
23 Jamie Butler
26 Joe Cargan
22 Ruari Mcgoff