Dear all,

With 3 games in 7 days coming up, I think most of us find it surprising that with such a large squad, players (especially forwards) are not being rested in this period of calm before the storm, so to speak. When Sidlow and Clough came back on against Dewsbury the difference in the ruck was there for all to see. They are invaluable players who need to be 100% for the eights if we are to have a chance of getting in the faces of some of the SL teams.

Why has Jimmy gone for such a big squad if he doesn't intend on using them? Purely for injury cover?
Is it too late to introduce players who have yet to make an appearance? Such as Petersen, Davies, etc.
Are players out on loan gaining match fitness to be used in the Middle 8s?
Does Ryan Shaw really deserve to be dropped after putting 100% in week in week out and kicking some vital 2 pointers?
Does the Mendeika signing indicate that Mullaney is now preferred choice at 7 over Siejka?

I have more questions than answers at this stage, and I hope the man has a plan!

I get what you're saying, but on the other hand, it's the longest season we're ever going to have. O'brien for example doesn't look as sharp as early in the season (although his cutout pass for Henry's try was brilliant)

But on the flip side, we have a week off before the middle 8's begin, for the CC semis, and then a week off again for the final, so hopefully that should prevent burn out

I would like to see Davies get a run in the team to see what he can do.

I would imagine that each player is subject to fairly rigorous monitoring on a daily basis and that there is a fairly precise degree of exactitude regarding each individuals ability to continue playing /training and at what level and for how long. Presumably the likelihood of burnout is obvious long before it occurs.

On the, should we or should we not, use some squad rotation, I can accept that we need to play the best players so as to achieve cohesion, but that shouldn't go to the extent of playing people who are clearly carrying knocks - I think Gaskell is a prime example, with GO'B close behind.

The money spent on a large squad is totally wasted if we're sticking in players who, on an on-going basis, are a good bit less than fully fit. Also, a player who isn't somewhere near fully mobile is more likely to not play at 100%, so is even more likely to get further injuries. I'm sure Jimmy knows what he's doing but it gets a bit difficult to analyse exactly what his thinking is at times.

Quite. Although being Jimmy Lowes, with Karl Harrison at your shoulder, might make it a little easier.

We'll know at the end of the season. Jimmy never let us down in the past - and I don't think he will now.