The decision to play Leeds 5 days after a final in which one of the clubs was going to be involved is just farcical. I am surprised the club has not asked this game to be changed to the Friday. I understand Sky dictate TV games, however, this is quite unreasonable. Given that Hudds play Cas in that round of the Super 8's and neither were involved in the semi finals, this could have been the TV game for the Thursday

Personally last year I think this was the case as the CC was number 1 priority I believe, winning for the first time at Wembley was a massive achievement. Now that monkey is off the clubs and players backs I see no reason why the cup will be a distraction like it was previously. Other clubs over the years have managed to win the Cup and still make the GF and win it.
If this club want to be contenders for all trophies we have to learn to handle being in SF & Finals and not let that distract the mindset.
I do believe we have a chance to get 2nd as the squad we have is talented and good enough to do so. The only issue I have with the CC Final is the RFL giving a finalist a fixture 5 days later which is just crazy.

Win tonight and we put breathing space between us and the chasing pack and 4 pts between us and St's and listening to Radford it sounds as though this is what they've been planning for all season and a home SF. Happy times no matter what the result personally although do feel confident about tonight.

The RFL didn't, Sky did but you're right, it is absolutely ridiculous

As long as the players don't go on a 4 day bender again after winning the Cup (fingers crossed), then we should have enough depth/rotation within the squad to put a side out against Leeds that can do the job.

I think we'll turn it on tonight.

I would personally rest the lot of them against Leeds regardless of the result at Wembley. Make sure we are ready to go the week after. Top 2 isn't all that important in my book.

Assuming that the 17 for Wembley are as follows:

Shaul
Fonua
Griffin
Tuimavave
Talanoa
Kelly
Sneyd
Watts
Houghton
Taylor
Minichiello
Manu
Ellis

Bowden
Washbrook
Connor
Green


Then, from what I can see, only the following players would be available v Leeds who hadn't played at Wembley and aren't out on loan at other clubs:

Thompson
Turgut
Michaels
Downs
Fash
Matongo
Litten

With the following players out on loan (presumably won't be called back):

Hadley (Wakefield)
Logan (KR)
Abdull (KR)
Rawsthorne (Doncaster)
Osborne (York)
Wray (Hemel)
Bower (Hemel)


Unless we are going to draft in a large amount of our players from COHA then I'd imagine the likes of Kelly, Sneyd, Houghton, Ellis, Taylor and Manu will be rested, and everyone else will back up against Leeds.

Quote ="Chris71" I see no reason why the cup will be a distraction like it was previously. Other clubs over the years have managed to win the Cup and still make the GF and win it.'" According to this only 9 clubs have won "the double", including Swinton and Broughton Rangers. It's a massive ask IMO. Look how dominant Bradford Bulls were for years and they only managed it once. Of course being in both competitions makes it harder - you have to spread your energy and effort as well as being mentally resilient. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dou ... gby_league)

Quote ="Chris71" I see no reason why the cup will be a distraction like it was previously. Other clubs over the years have managed to win the Cup and still make the GF and win it.'" According to this only 9 clubs have won "the double", including Swinton and Broughton Rangers. It's a massive ask IMO. Look how dominant Bradford Bulls were for years and they only managed it once. Of course being in both competitions makes it harder - you have to spread your energy and effort as well as being mentally resilient. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dou ... gby_league)

Quote ="Mrs Barista"According to this only 9 clubs have won "the double", including Swinton and Broughton Rangers. It's a massive ask IMO. Look how dominant Bradford Bulls were for years and they only managed it once. Of course being in both competitions makes it harder - you have to spread your energy and effort as well as being mentally resilient. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dou ... gby_league)'" I don't disagree with the fact it will be harder but I do believe the fall off we saw last season will not be repeated as that was a totally different situation. Plus I do strongly believe that this group have at times this season played within themselves on top of that last year very few players missed any games. This season through suspension and various injuries a number of players have missed games again which didnt happen last season.

Quote ="Mrs Barista"According to this only 9 clubs have won "the double", including Swinton and Broughton Rangers. It's a massive ask IMO. Look how dominant Bradford Bulls were for years and they only managed it once. Of course being in both competitions makes it harder - you have to spread your energy and effort as well as being mentally resilient. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dou ... gby_league)'" I don't disagree with the fact it will be harder but I do believe the fall off we saw last season will not be repeated as that was a totally different situation. Plus I do strongly believe that this group have at times this season played within themselves on top of that last year very few players missed any games. This season through suspension and various injuries a number of players have missed games again which didnt happen last season.

In the league though Castleford have been way out in front and benefit from 2 free weekends, whereas last year it ended up effectively being us, Warrington who made both finals and Wigan who this year will likely be laser-focussed on the cup. I think Cas in the league and Wigan in the cup are individually much bigger barriers to each trophy than we faced last year where our opponents were similarly spread on both competition fronts.

You've taken me very literally there. But I would be looking to rest as many as possible. Hadley and Abdull are unlikely to come back, there's no real reason why the others couldn't be drafted in, and yes I hope a few CoHA players get a run as well. If Leeds put 70 on us who really cares?

We need to put everything into tonight's game as a win would give us a 4 point cushion over Saints, 3 over Wakey and 3 over Salford (if Cas beat them). The time to make changes will be next week against Huddersfield, when we will have that bit of breathing space.

Wasn't the intention - when I started the post I hadn't realised how many loaned out players we have, genuinely thought we actually could have fielded a semi-decent squad with all 17 rested. At full strength in the semis I'd fancy us home or away against anyone, so the Leeds game will be largely irrelevant as long as we finish in the top 4.

Tonight's team

Connor, Griffin, Thompson, Carlos, Michaels, Kelly, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Watts, Turgut, Manu, Ellis

Subs: Green, Washbrook, Fash, Matongo

..... I don't think anyone saw that coming!!

Interesting!

No shaul and fonua

.... and Talanoa and Bowden.

What an odd line-up

Illness in the camp?

As a squad we are not blessed with a lot of pace, but this is likely to rank as one oh Hull less swift teams.

Will be very interesting to see tu tactics tonight. There is a lot of size here. Very much a game down the middle.

Definitely. Will be a case of 'kick every penalty we can' and hope to make it a forward battle. Kelly and Tuimavave the only real outlets.

Crikey. Monumental effort required with all those out.

Shaul has a hamstring injury, Talanoa is ill and Fonua appears to be rested.

If I was a betting man, I'd say Radford is cotton wooling a few and making a few a bit more hungry for 26th Aug.

Connor at FB will be interesting to see