close one that for me, and there are a few close ones. so it may be bias more than a future s a talent scout.

Agree to a certain extent. I'd have definitely said Lunt at one time, especially before Randall came and he's still a very good player but Wood was excellent last year and although he only played a few games before getting injured Randall looks an absolute cracking Hooker.

Masoe is big but has no fitness and is a 10-minute spell Prop. On McGuire, although he was excellent in the final especially and rolled back the years, I thought when watching him last season at times, it was going to be his last but he's obviously still got class.

Obviously the first game of the season at their place, after them getting promoted, a partisan crowd etc, they're definitely not to be taken lightly and I wouldn't think CC will let the team do that. But man for man, although you could argue if you wanted about a couple of players, we have a far better team and squad. Bigger more skilled forwards and quicker better backs imo. I think as long as we start well and can get on top early and quite the crowd down, we'll do the business, if we start slow, who knows.

He'll have to be a magician as well as a world class coach if he's only playing with 16 players every week, that's maybe why Schoey has given them 20 start.

If we were looking for hooker and were not I would sign young Cunningham from London broncos

It's all about opinions I personally would have our centres rather than yours as well as our halves and Lunt probably a couple of forwards also but saying all that I still think you might just have a bit much for us

I'm afraid BT is better than anything you have st centre but your half backs seriously mate! Your forwards look dreadfull on paper but if they have the right attitude they may surprise.

Lunt all reputation and I don't know where he got it from seeing as you got relegated with him at 9.

Personally the first game of the seaon is a pure lottery so it's probably your best chance of a win. All season imho.

I also know if you win certain posters on here will be claiming we'll be relegated this season - I just can't wait.

The year we went down Lunt went for an op a week before the season started so was out for a long while so I'm not going to blame him for our demise I still think our halves are better than yours but it will be nice to go to BV to play Wakefield rather than Sheffield good luck from Saturday onwards

Feeling it'll be closer than some Wakefield fans are expecting on Friday night. I'd be happy coming home with the 2 points to be honest, should be a cracking atmosphere in the stands.

18-24 Trinity

2 points is all that matters!!! margin does not..... we should be winning our first four in my opinion if we want to be challenging for title.

He played 22 games for you in SL in 2016, 23 including the CC games you lost to Oldham, so he played the vast majority.

Anyway fans of each side are going to have their own opinions on players especially their own, but I'd be interested to know why you think your halves are better. I presume it's because you rate McGuire more than Finn and I'd have no problems with that as an individual, but who do you rate more than Miller or Hampshire for that matter? Also isn't Sheens desperately trying to sign a new halfback to partner McGuire, with you lot going after Lui and are still looking after getting knocked back because he sees you weak there? That leaves Marsh, Atkin or move Blair there because even taking my RWB specs off I can't see anyone except McGuire as good as Miller or Hampshire tbh. I think as a halfback combination you also have to take into account Trinity's halves have a few seasons together, while Hull KR's haven't.

Anyway, same to you Frankie, hope Hull KR the best after hopefully, we beat you Friday. Always had a soft spot for you lot.

I think most fans will be happy with the 2 points tbh to get the season up and running, against a team with a point to prove.
Start of season games can be messy affairs at the best of times. I remember last season's game against Hull which was exactly that, low scoring, errors, and penalties played on a cold horrible night.

We won our first two in 2015! We lost in 2017, make no difference it a marathon not a sprint.

I think the game will be somewhat tougher than some think. That said, I think we will come away with the points in the end. I would say, by 8.

They are looking for a new half back, and think that will struggle if they don't bring one in. Maguire is class still, but Atkin is unproven at this level while this may be Me, but Marsh looks out of his depth. They have the cash so it will be interesting who they bring in.

Going back to the original post, having seen them a few times last year and one of this year's friendlies, Carney looks unfit and does not look the player to fear. I would be more concerned about the other side, Heffernan is a good all round centre, while Shaw is quick and scores tries for fun

I don't, we could easily lose this but it doesn't define the seaon first games never do.

What matters is that so long as we don't have an herrendous level of injuries this year come the mid season we will have far more players of quality to throw at games compared to say HKR.

I actually think they have a weakest squad possibly the worst in the comp. Good coach but then they said that about Brian Smith.

Biggest gamble is McGuir who I always thought to be a bit delicate, certainly not the roll up your sleeves player they need. This first game will likely be his best and then he'll collect his pension supplements - sorry HKR fans but we've all seen it before.

It is a marathon and not a sprint you are right.

However, if they do have the weakest squad in the league, it would be disappointing if we do lose, especially when people are saying this is the best SL squad we have ever had.

Last year we played 9 games against teams that finished in middle 8s, winning 8 of those. That is the sort of statistic that has let us down in the past, losing games we should be winning

Be interesting to see how McGuire gets on with not getting the lions share of 50/50 calls going his way - something he probably isn't used to. I can see him getting very frustrated and losing the plot a little TBH.

I thought the same in Leeds infamous 2016 season, when they werent winning and things didnt go their way, he seemed like a petulant school boy spitting his dummy out at all opportunities. Mind you, I guess you could look at it another way and say its just his desire to win at all costs and he doesnt care who he upsets to do this.

Indeed, however, every SL coach will want to register a "w" just as early in the season as possible.
We will be measured on our finishing position and not who our first victory is against but, as Warrington (last season) and Leeds (in the previous season) showed, it's very easy to drop into that losing habit and with the lottery of the Middle 8' we all want to get off to a good start, if only to stop the fans getting nervous

Fordy.... Not so sure about that !!!

Kendal is the ref and as far as I can recollect he absolutely hammered us everytime we had him last season.

Hope Kendall has improved on last season, was shocking at times.

I’ll stick my neck out and say I’m feeling pretty confident looking at the squads that we will have a healthy win.

It is the first game of the season though and anything can happen but whatever the result it likely won’t define either teams season.

I'd say that was the case at some clubs but luckily for CC our chairman seems to see the longer view. Clearly there is a limit but I think CC would know when he hit it.

Of course a first game win is nice especially if we wee at home but not vital. A good performance matters more imho

To be honest I was referring to the season as a whole not this particular match when I said that about McGuire. I just think he is used to wearing the Leeds shirt and getting the decisions, or being allowed to whinge about it when he doesn't, without getting the backlash that some of the "lesser" teams seem to get off referees.

I hadn't checked who the ref was for our first game but can understand your comment based on that.

Agree