I wouldn't play Cust or Sezer. Our season isn't going to be defined by how clinical and fluent they are in attack in game 1 of the season. You cannot play open, expansive rugby in the first month or 2 anyway due to the weather, it will be about completing set for set, and good kick chase.

If we don't play Cust and Sezer then we could use our academy halves. So C.Kemp and Thompson. Would be good experience for them if they don't get hurt. Is Balmforth still considered a possible 6? Maybe he gets a go. You could see him scoring for fun against tired amateurs.

When the cricket scores are coming in over the weekend , I can see all eyes will be turning towards IMG and Tony Sutton again .

No callum kemp this weekend. Picked up a knock at Cas so would imagine it will be Sezer and Cust, Will Kirby in and joe ward on the bench

Almost a reserve squad, not sure who will play halfback with Cust.

[quote="Dave K.":2cxlow8f]Almost a reserve squad, not sure who will play halfback with Cust.[/quote:2cxlow8f] Balmforth? But then Hutchinson would have to do 80 minutes at 9. Don't know enough about him to know if he's capable or not, but again an amateur team he may feel comfortable doing that. Or maybe Lloyd Kemp at 1, with Moy and Hutchinson sharing the hooker duties. Or Moy in the halves rather than Balmforth. I'm just gonna stop there because who knows! And every time I edit my post I think of a different option that Carty might try

I'd give Moy a go at 6 and Kemp at FB.

Going to guess that the pitch at Fev has played a part in players been rested, Leeds and Saints have gone stronger playing on SL standard pitches.

[quote="B0NES":1ye84grj]When the cricket scores are coming in over the weekend , I can see all eyes will be turning towards IMG and Tony Sutton again .[/quote:1ye84grj] IMG had suggestions to revamp the cc didn't they with group stages and two legged semi finals? The club's I imagine rejected it, the RFL came up with this ill thought out novel idea, now they're looking to revamp it again. Don't spend 500k a year on consultants if you're not going to listen to them! The club's thinking they know best is why IMG were brought in in the first place. The third round draw would've been better if super league clubs weren't seeded, could've been a few big teams out early doors that way and an amateur/champ team would've had more chance of getting to a later round, thereby rekindling the magic of the cup, rather than it's current state

[quote="Steve0":7yrni91t]IMG had suggestions to revamp the cc didn't they with group stages and two legged semi finals? The club's I imagine rejected it, the RFL came up with this ill thought out novel idea, now they're looking to revamp it again. [b:7yrni91t]Don't spend 500k a year on consultants if you're not going to listen to them! The club's thinking they know best is why IMG were brought in in the first place.[/b:7yrni91t] The third round draw would've been better if super league clubs weren't seeded, could've been a few big teams out early doors that way and an amateur/champ team would've had more chance of getting to a later round, thereby rekindling the magic of the cup, rather than it's current state[/quote:7yrni91t] The bit is bold is exactly the issue I see and why the game is on it's as for want of a better phrase theres 'too many cooks' Year on year money is spent or rather wasted on some form of consultancy or change and then most of what has been found simply gets ignored. The old adage of 'if you don't like the answers then don't ask the questions' springs to mind. The game needs a strong, professional and forward thinking Governing body but sadly we have the total opposite with a weak, parochial and amateur.

Surely Asiata play first half with Cust then rest them, can see Balmforth going in halves 2nd half. Kemp Barron Jebson Westerman Martin Moy Cust Fash Balmforth Aydin Holmes Kirby Asiata Subs Ashworth Gardiner Hutchinson Salabio

[quote="HU8HFC":30edtb3e]Going to guess that the pitch at Fev has played a part in players been rested, Leeds and Saints have gone stronger playing on SL standard pitches.[/quote:30edtb3e] As a Fev fan there's not much wrong with the pitch at the moment, it's what you'd expect from a grass pitch in February but certainly not in any way a risk. With the weather fairly dry recently, it's been not remotely like the Challenge Cup game you might have seen against Wakefield last year - when it chucks if down with rain for hours, as it did then, the pitch does get very boggy but most of the time it's fine. That said, maybe somebody has in the back of their mind the fact that Hull picked up a few injuries in that feisty CC game at Post Office Road a few years ago, but that was a bit of a freaky game and generally you don't see more injuries at Fev than anywhere else.

The squad seems a sensible approach. Hopefully Asiata and Cust can be taken off at half time.

[quote="Steve0":1yajonxi]IMG had suggestions to revamp the cc didn't they with group stages and two legged semi finals? The club's I imagine rejected it, the RFL came up with this ill thought out novel idea, now they're looking to revamp it again. Don't spend 500k a year on consultants if you're not going to listen to them! The club's thinking they know best is why IMG were brought in in the first place. The third round draw would've been better if super league clubs weren't seeded, could've been a few big teams out early doors that way and an amateur/champ team would've had more chance of getting to a later round, thereby rekindling the magic of the cup, rather than it's current state[/quote:1yajonxi] I’ve said it before, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having the last 32 clubs in a bag and having an open draw. Sometimes you’ll draw Wigan away, other times you’ll be at home to a lower league team. It’s the magic of the cup and adds to the excitement when the draw opens up for done teams or pits two bigger clubs together in an early round.

[quote="Steve0":1m55y3sd]IMG had suggestions to revamp the cc didn't they with group stages and two legged semi finals? The club's I imagine rejected it, the RFL came up with this ill thought out novel idea, now they're looking to revamp it again. Don't spend 500k a year on consultants if you're not going to listen to them! The club's thinking they know best is why IMG were brought in in the first place. The third round draw would've been better if super league clubs weren't seeded, could've been a few big teams out early doors that way and an amateur/champ team would've had more chance of getting to a later round, thereby rekindling the magic of the cup, rather than it's current state[/quote:1m55y3sd] Thing is Steve do we really need to be paying anyone to come up with a revamped C/C competition I agree the RFL are pretty useless but in this digital age all they had to do was ask fans for their ideas about revamping the C/C. using this approach rather than spending what is likely to be millions on the Speadsheet Charlies IMG who know sweet FA about the game would most likely have come up with far better solutions to enhance the sport than what IMG have so far delivered. Lets hope the NRL come in sooner than later and get rid of IMG before they bankrupt the RFL

[quote="bonaire":25zcffjk]Thing is Steve do we really need to be paying anyone to come up with a revamped C/C competition I agree the RFL are pretty useless but in this digital age all they had to do was ask fans for their ideas about revamping the C/C. using this approach rather than spending what is likely to be millions on the Speadsheet Charlies IMG who know sweet FA about the game would most likely have come up with far better solutions to enhance the sport than what IMG have so far delivered. Lets hope the NRL come in sooner than later and get rid of IMG before they bankrupt the RFL[/quote:25zcffjk] Something needs to change with it, for me and I imagine most other fans, it doesn't really get interesting until the quarter/semi final, even then, given the small no. of top flight teams, it gets boring playing the same teams over and over. If we're paying for the 'spreadsheet Charlie's' for the next ten years, we might as well use them, rather than listening to chairmen that care about themselves only

The CC has been dying on it's ar$e for a few years now and change was needed but I don't think the changes the RFL /IMG have made will stop its decline . Both need to go back to the drawing board asap to come up with a better plan .

[quote="Mr. Zucchini Head":22h9qg9m]I just don't see what meaningful practice and fitness they are going to get playing against amateur opposition. For me it's just about getting through it without injuries. I would look at the squad and say, which players can we not afford to be without for the start of the season. Those guys wouldn't play. There is no point. Moy Martin Westerman Briscoe Barron Cust Kemp Sao Balmforth Aydin Lane Jebson Gardiner Salabio Fash Hutchison Kirby A smattering of first teamers to show respect to York Acorn and the competition, another chance for a few of the youngsters to make an impact, and guys like Asiata, Rapana and Sezer wrapped in cotton wool. Even with that team I would expect to be winning by at least 80.[/quote:22h9qg9m] It’s about going through drills they’ve learned on the training ground and having a ‘game head’ on, giving players match fitness. So there’s every point imo

[quote="Steve0":3b7n7edm]IMG had suggestions to revamp the cc didn't they with group stages and two legged semi finals? The club's I imagine rejected it, the RFL came up with this ill thought out novel idea, now they're looking to revamp it again. Don't spend 500k a year on consultants if you're not going to listen to them! The club's thinking they know best is why IMG were brought in in the first place. The third round draw would've been better if super league clubs weren't seeded, could've been a few big teams out early doors that way and an amateur/champ team would've had more chance of getting to a later round, thereby rekindling the magic of the cup, rather than it's current state[/quote:3b7n7edm] I think maybe as the word suggests img we’re consulting. Ie a discussion with rather than a directive to the clubs. Img are amongst other things trying to make money for the game. The clubs are trying to make money too but can’t do this by having players play too many games. If most teams can develop sizeable squads filled with youth then fair enough. For me clubs need to have a reserve team and at same time be able to afford a sizeable squad. It’s a conundrum. Given that there is a limited reserve league then the cc certainly needs some youth in it. But clubs need to imprint their training on match day. I’m sure Cartwright knows all this better than us

[quote="Ellam":3rt423qa]Surely Asiata play first half with Cust then rest them, can see Balmforth going in halves 2nd half. Kemp Barron Jebson Westerman Martin Moy Cust Fash Balmforth Aydin Holmes Kirby Asiata Subs Ashworth Gardiner Hutchinson Salabio[/quote:3rt423qa] Don't think that's far off, although Johnston is a centre I think, so I'd play him there and Jebson off the bench, maybe instead of Ashworth. Anyone know of Wainhouse is injured, not seen him mentioned at all during pre season?

[quote="Steve0":tv7vzqic]Something needs to change with it, for me and I imagine most other fans, it doesn't really get interesting until the quarter/semi final, even then, given the small no. of top flight teams, it gets boring playing the same teams over and over. If we're paying for the 'spreadsheet Charlie's' for the next ten years, we might as well use them, rather than listening to chairmen that care about themselves only[/quote:tv7vzqic] I think fan input is great as we want bums on seats but img etc have the responsibility of using the competition to market the game and make money amongst other things. Whatever you think of the RFL and IMG they have a tough job. We need the game on terrestrial tv but not Wigan v Isle of Skye ARLFC

[quote="Dave K.":tenmwkdh]Anyone know of Wainhouse is injured, not seen him mentioned at all during pre season?[/quote:tenmwkdh] It was in the HDM last week that he was back in full training after his ACL rupture. I don't think we will be rushing him into anything after such a long recovery.

[quote="C for Cuckoo":y3v2q88h]It was in the HDM last week that he was back in full training after his ACL rupture. I don't think we will be rushing him into anything after such a long recovery.[/quote:y3v2q88h] Missed that, but he did play a couple of times for the academy at the end of last season, so you would think he would ready now?

[quote="TnT":1y640rx7]I think fan input is great as we want bums on seats but img etc have the responsibility of using the competition to market the game and make money amongst other things. Whatever you think of the RFL and IMG they have a tough job. We need the game on terrestrial tv but not Wigan v Isle of Skye ARLFC[/quote:1y640rx7] Can anyone tell me what IMG have done to market and make money for the game? The answer is sweet FA If IMG was an individual person working for a company he would have been sacked by now

[quote="bonaire":2fgvp3va]Can anyone tell me what IMG have done to market and make money for the game? The answer is sweet FA If IMG was an individual person working for a company he would have been sacked by now[/quote:2fgvp3va] Tell me sir what would you do different to those who are and have been trying in recent years to resuscitate our great game and guarantee long term sustainability. There’s a lot of criticism so let’s have some ideas, pls