I’d be very surprised if we didn’t see Jake Connor at 6 for you on Saturday from the rumblings from some people ITK.

Fine for a loan, but not sure he’s the best head around the changing room especially with comments made etc. Easy for me to say as a non FC fan but surely worth just going with some youth and add another in to an excellent crop of youngsters coming through this year.

Itd definitely make the derby more interesting (and competitive) if Conor came back! What's our other option, Morgan Smith's safe kicks all afternoon?

What comments did he make?

Medforth would be next off the ranks, but he is injured. Harman potentially. Going lower than that, Callum Kemp looks like he could be pretty special, but he's 16/17?

Kye Armstrong??

He's a 13 mate, not a half. I know he played 6 for the Reserves last week, but think thats the first time!

I've heard so many good reports about him. I hope he gets a chance this season.

Not sure what options we have for the halves with Reynolds gone and Charles all but ruled out, do we look at having Balmforth filling in there, Smith at 9 and Litten/Walker in the 17 so we have the option of Moy doing a spell at 9?

Unless we can bring in a loan replacement we don't have many options, bringing in any younger lads just isn't an option with such depleted squad as they'll get hammered.
A short term loan of Jake whilst it may not ideal, under our current circumstances/situation it may be the best option if its a possibility.

I'm a touch more optimistic than I was in the days leading up to Good Friday, when all I could see was a sixty point hammering coming up! If we can repeat the attitude and commitment of recent weeks then we should, hopefully, at least make it a competitive game on Saturday which will be an improvement on the first two derbies this year.

Clearly, even by the standards of this year, it's looking like we will be putting out a patched up side and, logically, it would seem that rovers will ultimately have too much power, pace and experience for us to handle.
Not really sure what to make of rovers in recent weeks, they seem to be doing enough to win without particularly dominating sides and I do think they may feel under some pressure to win after losing last weekend. It's very tight in that 2nd-7th group and they will not want to be losing two games in a row and risk losing ground. If we can unsettle them early on then we could turn the situation to our advantage.

It's been some time since there was a real derby upset played out (either way) and undoubtedly a win for us on Saturday would unquestionably fall into that category, think we will all walk out stunned if it comes to pass!! I know logically everything points to another loss for us, but I have a creeping nagging feeling that we might just pull this one out of the bag.
On the other hand, this might just be me trying to be super-optimistic in the face of overwhelming contrary evidence!!!




As usual, I'll be as tense as hell come derby kick-off time. They really are gut-wrenching, stomach-turning occasions, and a part of me wishes they had never existed in my life



Come on everyone, let's get behind them, what have we to lose here! Keep the faith(full) as always!!

Ud be tempted to bring back walker and play either him or Moy at 6 (even switching between attack and defence)

Carlos at 6, Trueman 7, Litten at centre?

I admire your optimism but I fear I will be counting down the clock hoping that it'll be damage limitation yet again.

Defensively , We have improved a lot but with the ball we are still miles off been a real danger . Now Reynolds has walked and Charles possibly out , I cant see where any creativity is going to come from sadly .

May as well move Sutcliffe into the halfs and bring in Walker or Litten or play Briscoe at centre and bring Barron in.
Smith much better option at nine.Average but less than average at halfback

Anyone remember Jake Connor?

Can't see us signing Connor. Hudds put the breaks on him joining Leeds a few weeks ago.

Hi mother?

Someone at the RFL must hate us to burden us with Chris Kendall 2 weeks in a row.

Will almost certainly be at least one card shown.

Did you not know we will be playing with one decent forward in Ese and another change at halfback to partner Trueman who is hardly pulling up trees and has forgotton how to run
Effort and commitment will only take us so far as we have seen but we are a team of plodders and being realistic HKR will run us ragged once their forwards get on top

We all know what colour the recipient will be wearing too.

Well there’s a miserable outlook. That will stop everyone buying tickets. So long as we have a dig I’ll be happy. I think we’ll be competitive. It’s an intriguing game. Think we’ve done well lately and that should merit praise

Just realistic
You cant compete against the better teams in S/L with only one decent forward with any size and no halfbacks
Nothing intriguing about this game it will be one way traffic

Least your staying positive though

We can compete in terms of effort and commitment but not unfortunately in terms of quality.

Rovers are a top 4 side and I expect nothing other than a loss.
That's not being negative just realistic.
As long as the team compete for 80 minutes and don't throw in the towel I'll be satisfied.
Obviously I would like to hammer the red and white bar stewards though.