Re: If we make the Middle Eights... : Sun Jul 10, 2016 11:12 pm  

Bull Mania wrote:

Because we have a decent spine at last. Throughout the year we've had to endure Addy/Mathers/Haggerty in various HB combinations. We have lost in the last few minutes to Leigh twice with Mathers/Addy and Thomas as our HBs.

I'm not saying if we get in the middle 8 then we'll be celebrating a return to super league. i still think it's a huge ask to even get In there. But the quality of Moss and Chisholm is there to see and has improved our team no end.

Oh those bloody Leythers...

Re: If we make the Middle Eights... : Sun Jul 10, 2016 11:22 pm  

Neither Gaskell nor Ferguson will play again for us. And FWIW I agree with the decision

Re: If we make the Middle Eights... : Mon Jul 11, 2016 5:39 am  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

Neither Gaskell nor Ferguson will play again for us. And FWIW I agree with the decision

Why's that?

Re: If we make the Middle Eights... : Mon Jul 11, 2016 6:54 am  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

Neither Gaskell nor Ferguson will play again for us. And FWIW I agree with the decision

Agree about Gaskell, he hasnt really played all season a big gamble to bring him back with out any game time, when the rest have struggled all season, now we have a 7 id keep with Chisholm, Charnock + Thomas for the rest of the year.

Unlikely we we will go up so why not focus on the players who are here next season and get them core of the squad playing together.

Re: If we make the Middle Eights... : Mon Jul 11, 2016 7:42 am  

hindle xiii wrote:

Did Welham kop out when he scored against us in the Middle 8 romp last season?

Bit different to be fair. Welham at the time was still fighting for a new contract at KR and hadn't already agreed to join Bradford. In fact there's every chance he hadn't even spoken to Bradford at that point.

As much as these lads are professional and will want to win the game for their own pride and mates, it's totally natural for them to have doubts that winning the game may make a difference in what division they're playing in next year, if they've already agreed a deal with the opposition, which in the cases of the players mentioned, is believed to be the case.

It's a flawed system, but then again the straight promotion/relegation one had a smaller version of it. For example that year when Cas played Wakey with the loser getting relegated, if one of Wakey's players had agreed to join Cas the following year, he'd be in the same situation. The Middle 8s just makes for a more wider version of it, as you're playing 7 other teams that may be pushed down a division instead of 1 or 2.

Re: If we make the Middle Eights... : Mon Jul 11, 2016 8:59 am  

For me i'd play Clough & Clark. Giving 100% comes natural to those 2.

I'd still be tempted to play Gaskell & Ferguson. Both offer quality. I know Gaskell has been poor when he's played. But he's had Addy and Mathers as his FB/HB for most of the season. Everything had to come through him. The defences marked him out of the game. We've seen the quality of Gaskell last year. With Chisholm offering a massive threat, Gaskell can play with a bit more freedom and not having to do everything himself. With Moss supporting both, we finally have a real threat in attack. I'd give Charnock the 13 shirt. His defence is better than Addy. His passing is better than Addy. And his kicking is better than Addy. Maybe not quite quick enough to play 7.

Re: If we make the Middle Eights... : Mon Jul 11, 2016 9:17 am  

Agree, I doubt we'll see Gaskell again - if we finish 5th then I would absolutely not play him. Even if it's in the middle 8s, I'd have fitness doubts with him being out for so long - see the MPG last year.

I think it would be harsh not to play Ferguson again if he's fit. I can see the logic of course but if we make the Top 4, I'd rather he be on the pitch than in the stands and always puts a shift in IMO.

Re: If we make the Middle Eights... : Mon Jul 11, 2016 9:26 am  

Re Bull Mania - is Charnock with us for much longer?

Re: If we make the Middle Eights... : Mon Jul 11, 2016 9:26 am  

I don't think leaving them out totally is the idea. But leaving Gaskell, Ferguson & Clough out should we play Huddersfield, and leaving Addy & Clark out should we play KR, makes sense. Also if we're playing in a game that directly affects those teams (i.e. If we beat Salford, it means Huddersfield can't qualify.... etc).

Other games there's no reason they can't play, as long as they are the best option at the time for the 17.

DrFeelgood wrote:

Re Bull Mania - is Charnock with us for much longer?

Week by week loan now, so until either we don't want him any more or Saints decide they want him back.

Re: If we make the Middle Eights... : Mon Jul 11, 2016 9:28 am  

DrFeelgood wrote:

Re Bull Mania - is Charnock with us for much longer?

Week by week basis, but in all honesty, i can't see Saints taking him back.