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Post by branny on Jun 1, 2017 11:52:36 GMT
Two more wins and we avoid the qualifiers. Sorry, can't help it. 😉
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Post by hammerlessnail on Jun 1, 2017 12:00:26 GMT
Apparently Wakefield without Miller, Walker and Arona with long term injuries after last weekends matches. Didn't Johnson hobble off Monday? Does anyone know if Dobson was rested or is injured? For me Carney showed if he is fully fit he has to not only be in the squad but start, his creativity was there for all to see on Monday and should scare the life out of every SL team. Greg did hobble off, but returned to the field after the hooter and wasn't limping. Ian Watson tweeted that he was OK, and Greg Johnson has said something similar himself. I think Michael was rested. For Todd Carney to play, you'd need to leave out either Michael Dobson or Robert Lui, and that would be a very, very difficult decision. Carney was at his imperious best against Warrington, and his break for Niall's first try was a thing of great beauty, but, personally, I think I'd stick with Lui and Dobson in the halves. They've played together all season and, let's be honest, they haven't done badly have they?
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Post by JJR on Jun 1, 2017 12:14:21 GMT
Was told from a good source, Carney played on injection and has recurring calf problem. Got to be there as a sub for Flash or one of half backs, just like he played earlier in the season. He is international class and gives the team that X factor.
The good thing is that we have 3 class half backs or 4 if you include O'Brien. All the usual top teams have struggled because of half back problems this season. The best thing we've done is to have cover here, the hub of any team.
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Post by hammerlessnail on Jun 1, 2017 12:25:08 GMT
Was told from a good source, Carney played on injection and has recurring calf problem. Got to be there as a sub for Flash or one of half backs, just like he played earlier in the season. He is international class and gives the team that X factor. The good thing is that we have 3 class half backs or 4 if you include O'Brien. All the usual top teams have struggled because of half back problems this season. The best thing we've done is to have cover here, the hub of any team. If you listed the Super League clubs in descending order of quality of half-backs, you'd pretty much get the actual Super League table. It's all about the halves. We're lucky to have three top class ones. Some clubs haven't got any.
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Post by redunderthebed on Jun 1, 2017 13:36:39 GMT
I don't think we should drop either Dobson or Lui. Carney was outstanding on Monday but I don't think either his fitness or his form is guaranteed. I think Lui was every bit as good as Carney (although admittedly Carney has more style and grace about his play). Dobson controls our plays so well and has had games every bit as good as Carney's at Warrington. But if we can get Carney on the bench then we absolutely should. If he was picked ahead of Dobbo or Lui then I wouldn't have a problem with it as Carney is class I just don't think he will be as consistent as our current ones
It will be a big test on Sunday, Wakefield are on top form. As someone said above owe them one after our loss there earlier in the season. Miller being out will be a help for us. I feel confident going into games these days but there's no doubt this could be a loss if we aren't on top form.
Will be interesting to see how we go from here on in. Some difficult games coming up - Wakey, Hull and Leeds at home and Cas and Saints away. Plus a cup QF. We have gone under the radar so far but there is an increasing level of expectation with the players, media and fans and there will be much more pressure than we are used to. The nearer we get to securing top 4 the more the pressure will be on against teams with much more experience of 'finals footy' as the say in Aus. Watson and his team have done an outstanding job so far, let's hope they can keep the players focused on each individual game and not on the position we're in
I'm getting increasingly excited and terrified!
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Post by manny on Jun 1, 2017 14:57:43 GMT
The team have made giant strides this year but Rome wasn't built in a day. By comparison Daryl Powell and Castleford have been building momentum and showing top potential in spells for 2-3 years now. To be honest the team have already surpassed my expectations and anything more now would be a bonus. The plus for us now is the team have earned the right to play without any pressure and that really showed at Warrington with how confident and composed we were. The players just need to continue what they are doing from week to week and enjoy performing without worrying about what the future holds. All the pressure is on our big club opponents who have under pressure coaches and very critical supporters with very high expectations. Additionally I think all our players are really feeding off the passion on the terraces this year and that could help take us a lot further.
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Post by salfordlad1 on Jun 1, 2017 18:56:49 GMT
How could we possibly drop Todd Carney after that performance on Monday? He's been waiting patiently on the sidelines for months, gets selected for his first start for the club, Watson describes his performance as 'Outstanding', surely he has to start again on Sunday.
I'd stick Dobson on the bench and go with Todd Carney, their no doubt in my mind if we get Carney back to his best he will be the best player in Super League (big statement I know). The only way we're going to get him close to that is by giving him a regular starting position.
Keep him at half back on Sunday and I think we'll be talking much differently about Todd Carney in a few weeks time.
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Post by chang on Jun 1, 2017 19:00:43 GMT
How could we possibly drop Todd Carney after that performance on Monday? He's been waiting patiently on the sidelines for months, gets selected for his first start for the club, Watson describes his performance as 'Outstanding', surely he has to start again on Sunday. I'd stick Dobson on the bench and go with Todd Carney, their no doubt in my mind if we get Carney back to his best he will be the best player in Super League (big statement I know). The only way we're going to get him close to that is by giving him a regular starting position. Keep him at half back on Sunday and I think we'll be talking much differently about Todd Carney in a few weeks time. I'm with you on that one mate. We've got an embarrassment of riches at present, I'm loving it, I just wouldn't like to be the one who keeps them all happy!
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Post by JJR on Jun 1, 2017 19:31:59 GMT
Just rotate Dobbo, Lui, Flash, Carney, Brining and Tomkins on the field. Keeps everyone fresh, just uses one sub and keeps the opposition guessing and changes the plays. Alternatively give Lui a rest this week, he needs it.
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Post by redunderthebed on Jun 1, 2017 19:47:37 GMT
How could we possibly drop Todd Carney after that performance on Monday? He's been waiting patiently on the sidelines for months, gets selected for his first start for the club, Watson describes his performance as 'Outstanding', surely he has to start again on Sunday. I'd stick Dobson on the bench and go with Todd Carney, their no doubt in my mind if we get Carney back to his best he will be the best player in Super League (big statement I know). The only way we're going to get him close to that is by giving him a regular starting position. Keep him at half back on Sunday and I think we'll be talking much differently about Todd Carney in a few weeks time. It was his second start. His first was in Catalans where he was woeful. I don't think either Dobson or Lui have played as badly as that for us. I think they have both played as well as Carney did on Monday. Good as he was on Monday and is when he is fit and on form I don't think he has yet earned a spot ahead of the other two. He might not even be fit for Sunday given what Watson has said about his calf problems. Why would we make our first choice half back the one who is least likely to be fit? I'm very happy with some kind of rotation to keep them all fresh though
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Post by manny on Jun 1, 2017 20:09:20 GMT
Carney was poor against Catalan but in fairness he was playing in a tired team that had played 3 days before and had 2 days less recovery.
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Post by Astleyred on Jun 1, 2017 21:00:13 GMT
Sure we were having a similar discussion regarding GoB and Evalds a few games back, oh what a joy this is. Everyone has their own opinion which is great as it's gets the discussions flowing, but it's the coaches one that counts and so far he's been pretty much on the money......we've got Ian Watson.......
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Post by salfordlad1 on Jun 1, 2017 21:12:54 GMT
Carney was poor against Catalan but in fairness he was playing in a tired team that had played 3 days before and had 2 days less recovery. My apologies that game has been completely erased from the memory after the 7 magnificent win that have followed. Agreed the forwards never really layed that platform and it was evident that the whole team shagged after a grueling trip to France against a side with an extra 48-hours rest. How the RFL managed to organise that is beyond me, it really does make you ask some questions. Who knows if we were given fair treatment over Easter we could be on our greatest run in the clubs history in the too flight. On Monday he (Carney) looked focussed, hungry and all round first class in every department. As they say you're only as good as you were last week, I'd be very surprised not to see Carney in the starting 13 this weekend.
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Post by salfordlad1 on Jun 1, 2017 21:14:42 GMT
Sure we were having a similar discussion regarding GoB and Evalds a few games back, oh what a joy this is. Everyone has their own opinion which is great as it's gets the discussions flowing, but it's the coaches one that counts and so far he's been pretty much on the money......we've got Ian Watson....... Hopefully Niall Evalds sticks around now Carney's gone and he's getting regular game time although I'm lead to believe his desire is play full back .
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Post by salfordlad1 on Jun 1, 2017 21:14:53 GMT
Sure we were having a similar discussion regarding GoB and Evalds a few games back, oh what a joy this is. Everyone has their own opinion which is great as it's gets the discussions flowing, but it's the coaches one that counts and so far he's been pretty much on the money......we've got Ian Watson....... Hopefully Niall Evalds sticks around now Carney's gone and he's getting regular game time although I'm lead to believe his desire is play full back .
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