The play-offs : Sun Sep 29, 2024 7:32 am  

So we know we are at home and looking at the fixtures I would expect it to be versus Widnes or Featherstone - both sides have beaten us at Odsal.

I expect EOC will be praying for a dry pitch as we have looked very unconvincing in wet conditions recently. Is Gaskell carrying a knock or is EOC unsure who to partner Lilley heading into that match? With Sammut you get flashes of brilliance and then the possibility of a brain fart whereas Gaskell has looked steady but unspectacular. It will be interesting to see if Sammut plays today and gives EOC a big decision to make.

Re: The play-offs : Sun Sep 29, 2024 12:35 pm  

Bully_Boxer wrote:

So we know we are at home and looking at the fixtures I would expect it to be versus Widnes or Featherstone - both sides have beaten us at Odsal.

I expect EOC will be praying for a dry pitch as we have looked very unconvincing in wet conditions recently. Is Gaskell carrying a knock or is EOC unsure who to partner Lilley heading into that match? With Sammut you get flashes of brilliance and then the possibility of a brain fart whereas Gaskell has looked steady but unspectacular. It will be interesting to see if Sammut plays today and gives EOC a big decision to make.

I feel after watching Gaskell's last 2 games that he has looked poor and not wanting to get involved. Whether that's down to previous injury or that he knows he won't be at Bulls next year.

Re: The play-offs : Sun Sep 29, 2024 12:43 pm  

We have the ability to beat either Fev or Widnes, but have sadly found ways to lose to both. Gaskell definitely lacked something against Fax and I'd like to see sammut given a run out today.

Going off on a slight tangent, I'm struggling to find much information about the new playoff structure. It appears the final winners get 0.25 IMG points, but do the runners up or even semi finalists get anything? There's also mention of increased prize money for winning, but no figures given and again what about the losers etc? Whatever the increase in prize money it hardly competes with a years worth of SL tv money. Is anyone out there in the know about this stuff?

Re: The play-offs : Sun Sep 29, 2024 4:38 pm  

Featherstone at home it is.

Re: The play-offs : Sun Sep 29, 2024 5:40 pm  

Should be a terrific game, will need a strong official as there is not much love lost between the sides.

Think Fev brought about 150 speccies last time, expect there will be a bigger crowd for this one.

Re: The play-offs : Sun Sep 29, 2024 5:58 pm  

I’m glad we’ve avoided York. They seem to be in great form at the moment. If we keep our composure and don’t get sucked into the inevitable niggle and dark arts that James Fords’ teams use I think we should hopefully have enough to turn them over.

Strong refereeing team needed for this one.

Re: The play-offs : Mon Sep 30, 2024 3:11 am  

Taking Wakefiled out of it, what a compelling race it's been for the other 5 play-off spots.

The play-off's themselves will be interesting, the results for the first two games are really difficult to call, they could both genuinely go either way!

[Bullseye]

Re: The play-offs : Mon Sep 30, 2024 6:55 am  

We should've beaten Fev earlier this season. A chance for redemption.

Re: The play-offs : Mon Sep 30, 2024 10:50 am  

Ckt2487 wrote:

I feel after watching Gaskell's last 2 games that he has looked poor and not wanting to get involved. Whether that's down to previous injury or that he knows he won't be at Bulls next year.

I can't help but feel its history repeating itself with him. Downed tools last time around when he knew he wasn't staying, and I know there was also a lot of other stuff going on too, but he has done it wherever he has been and I guess he doesn't want to start off at his new club with another injury.

[Bullseye]

Re: The play-offs : Mon Sep 30, 2024 11:49 am  

I know Swinton weren't very good but we looked a lot slicker without Gaskell. Not sure I'd pick him for the Fev match.