I think we have to win our next four games or that's us out the six, we've got 3 or our top 6 rivals too.

Me too, I'd just be happy to have every game with something to play for, hopefully we won't need to beat Saints last game of the season, but be happy to go there knowing the last game of the season means something.

Yeah our points difference cost us unfortunately that seven game losing run hurt it, that's why a draw at Wigan would have helped us.

Agree, we have to win our next 4 games to stand any chance, I view all remaining games now as knock out rugby. If we can do that hopefully other results would go our way too meaning we wouldn't need to go to St's and win to get in to the 6.

It's going to be very tight, if we win the next four we should be OK. Potentially we could do it with three wins from five but we'd need a couple of big wins and have some luck with other results. We can close up the PD gap with Rovers and possibly Salford but probably not Warrington or Leeds. It'd be nice to still be competing going into the last couple of rounds.

5 Warrington 22 +21
6 Salford 22 -3
-----------------
7 Hull KR 22 -23
8 Leeds 20 +59
9 Hull FC 20 -81
10 Hudds 18 -80

Warrington - Hull FC (A), Cas (H), Salford (A), Saints (H), Hudds (A)
Salford - Wakefield (H), Wigan (A), Warrington (H), Hull KR (A), Catalans (H)
Hull KR - Leigh (H), Catalans (H), Hudds (A), Salford (H), Wakefield (A)
Leeds - Hudds (A), Hull FC (A), Wigan (H), Catalans (A), Cas (H)
Hull FC - Warrington (H), Leeds (H), Cas (A), Hudds (H), Saints (A)
Hudds - Leeds (H), Leigh (A), Hull KR (H), Hull FC (A), Warrington (H)

Looking at the remaining fixtures for each of those six clubs, what stands out is how many of the games are 50/50 calls, predicting upcoming results is an exercise in chance determination.

Our three remaining homes games, for instance, could go either way. Win those three, along with Castleford, and we're almost there. Lose even one of them and we are up against it. The same goes for the other contenders, a series of 50/50 games which could go either way.

All we can hope, from our perspective, is that we prepare well and play well enough in the upcoming weeks to gather in the wins needed to keep the season rolling along for as long as possible.
But I can't rid myself of the gnawing feeling that ultimately, our negative points-difference is going to cost us in the end.
We shall see soon enough, one way or the other!

Promises to be a big game for both sides. Watched Leeds vs Wire yesterday, they looked improved from recent weeks albeit still ending up in defeat.

We have been strong at home ever since Good Friday, and I personally feel relatively confident against anyone at the MKM currently, Fash and hopefully Sao would be vital against their big pack.

They have some serious threats in Duffty, Williams and Clarke. Vaughan is quality and there wingers have serious speed.

Will be a tough game.

Calos got two games

Carlos banned 2 matches, seems a but harsh, but not a suprise.

Scott back to centre, Lane in the backrow, hopefully Staverly is fit for a bench spot.

I thought it was a bad one but luckily he landed on his back.

Judging by what TS said before the Wigan game re Staveley and the injury update in todays HDM I don't think Staveley will be back for a at least a couple of weeks which is unfortunate for him. Wonder if TS will feel Jebson is ready and put him on the bench?

So without Carlos and Houghton, likely to also be missing Taylor and possibly still be without Sao, if so then,

Litten
Swift
Sutcliffe
Scott
McIntosh
Trueman
Clifford
Brown/Satae
Dywer
Fash
Savelio
Lane
Cator

Satae/Brown
Gardiner
Lovodua
??? Jebson/Balmforth ???

Or does Smith move McIntosh to centre and bring in Barron on the wing and leave Scott in SR?

I would stick Jebson in, like the look of him

I wonder who'll be captain with Carlos, Houghton and Taylor out and Griffin no longer at the club.

Sutcliffe or Clifford, perhaps.

If Sao fit I'd go this think Lover will cover 9
Litten
Swift
Sutcliffe
Scott
McIntosh
Trueman
Clifford
Brown/Sao
Dywer
Fash
Savelio
Lane
Cator

Brown/Gardiner
Satae
Lovodua
Jebson

dont think it makes any difference
None of the previous are what you would call Captain material on the field but if we need someone to toss up then give it to Clifford.

We've got Kendall again .

I wasn’t a big believer when we appointed smith. I thought he was an easy option but so far I’m happy with the direction he’s taking us. I just sometimes look at his team sheet and think why. E.g Lane and Dwyer been in the 17 pretty much every week.

With us down on numbers I’ll be really disappointed if we don’t see Balmforth and Jebson/Armstrong in the 17 this week.

I reckon it's because Smith thinks Lane and Dwyer are better players than Balmforth and Jebson. While we are still in the running for the playoffs then he will play the best players.

Tag in squad, Ligi out, Staveley, Jebson and Shaul all in

Backs as expected with Scott back to centre.

Taylor/Brown
Dwyer
Fash
Savelio
Lame
Cator

Lovodua
Brown/Gardiner
Satae
Staverley

I guess Dwyer will want to impress his new employers so I expect a decent performance from him.

Deliberate mistake?



Shaul, Jebson and Barron to drop out for certain and then one of either Gardiner or Staveley if Tag is playing.
I'd like to see both play regardless personally.

I doubt it

After seeing the 21 man squad I'd go

Litten
Swift
Sutcliffe
Scott
McIntosh
Trueman
Clifford
Taylor/Brown
Dwyer
Fash
Savelio
Lane
Cator

Satae
Brown/Taylor
Staverley
Gardiner/Lovodua

If Taylor is declared fit for the game then he has to start, if there are any doubts with him then Gardiner comes in to the 17 in place of Taylor. Same with Staverley if he is 100% then time for him to come in to the 17 in place of Lovodua.
Cator can move to 9 to spell Dwyer with Fash can filling in at 13 if needed rather than using Lovodua as the interchange 9.
I'd probably still go with Staverley and Gardiner even if Taylor makes the squad, though think Smith would likely leave one of them out in favour of Lovodua. Just feel having Gardiner on the bench allows TS to rotate the forwards a little more, particularly if there's a slight question over Taylor.