Re: Team for Wire (a) : Mon Apr 25, 2022 2:05 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Full strength for me. We need confidence and cohesion between the new spine.

Field
French Bateman Thornley Marshall
Cust Smith
Singleton O’Neill Ellis
Isa Farrell Smithies

Subs
Mago Byrne
Havard Shorrocks

I’d probably go Halsall at centre but I think it’ll be Bibby again but with a view to the semi final I’d feel more confident with Isa and Bateman on that right hand side, defending near Harry Smith, than I would if it’s Bibby or Halsall in the centre spot.

That would be my team for the semi. Thornley looked awkward on the right hand side yesterday. It's a shame we'll be missing Leuluai, Powell and KPP.

I don't envy Peet this week, particularly in terms of selection decisions. A few bans have been handed out this week by the disciplinary and we can't afford that for the cup game, so I would like us to rest some. But on the other hand, we looked really disjointed at times in attack yesterday. Real toss-up for me with regards to this week's team.

Re: Team for Wire (a) : Mon Apr 25, 2022 2:31 pm  

Did we not do something similar last year (or the year before) and rest loads of lads Vs Saints, with the aim for being "fresh" for the Leeds CC game? Didn't work then, won't work this time.

If you can't work through tiredness for Wire away and Saints in the semi final, there's something wrong with you as a player imo.

Re: Team for Wire (a) : Mon Apr 25, 2022 2:34 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

Did we not do something similar last year (or the year before) and rest loads of lads Vs Saints, with the aim for being "fresh" for the Leeds CC game? Didn't work then, won't work this time.

If you can't work through tiredness for Wire away and Saints in the semi final, there's something wrong with you as a player imo.

It's not really a case of whether they can "work through the tiredness" though. I'm sure they did exactly that yesterday. The question is would they be at their best in doing so?

Re: Team for Wire (a) : Mon Apr 25, 2022 2:53 pm  

Phuzzy wrote:

It's not really a case of whether they can "work through the tiredness" though. I'm sure they did exactly that yesterday. The question is would they be at their best in doing so?

The extra motivation of a big game, normally helps. There's a real danger of putting all our eggs in the CC basket and before you know it we've got beat Vs Wire and Saints.

Risk it and then rest after the cup.

Re: Team for Wire (a) : Mon Apr 25, 2022 3:23 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

The extra motivation of a big game, normally helps. There's a real danger of putting all our eggs in the CC basket and before you know it we've got beat Vs Wire and Saints.

Risk it and then rest after the cup.

It helps for sure but no amount of motivation can overcome fatigue significantly enough to allow you to perform at your best. It may do for a short period but not over a full 80 and we'll need a full 80 of peak performance from the team to win the semi final.

The 'eggs in one basket' is a different discussion though and I certainly can't put a convincing enough argument forward to disagree. The club has prioritised the cup this year but I can't help thinking that perhaps our best chance of silverware may be in the league this year. It's a long season and, although Saints are undoubtedly favourites, it's impossible to predict how things will look come September. We only need a couple things to go our way to tip the balance whereas for this cup game we know where we are relative to Saints right now.

I'm not saying we can't win, of course. Anything can happen on the day but we'll need a full 80 performance from everyone.

Re: Team for Wire (a) : Mon Apr 25, 2022 3:28 pm  

Phuzzy wrote:

It helps for sure but no amount of motivation can overcome fatigue significantly enough to allow you to perform at your best.

How do you explain sides winning the Grand Final with players that have played 30+ games?

Re: Team for Wire (a) : Mon Apr 25, 2022 3:32 pm  

Egg Chasing wrote:

How do you explain sides winning the Grand Final with players that have played 30+ games?

Depends how they have been handled. When were they rotated/rested etc. Then you have situations where the opposition have played similar games or with smaller squads etc. There is no 'one size fits all'. All I know is that Saints players will go into the semi with players rested. We may match them with tired players. I doubt it though.

Re: Team for Wire (a) : Mon Apr 25, 2022 3:32 pm  

Egg Chasing wrote:

How do you explain sides winning the Grand Final with players that have played 30+ games?

Both teams equally knackered by that time of the year ?

Re: Team for Wire (a) : Mon Apr 25, 2022 3:36 pm  

Thinking about it the game against Hudds on the Thursday after the semi might be the one to bin, win or lose against Saints expecting them to perform off the short turnaround is a bit of a non-starter

Re: Team for Wire (a) : Mon Apr 25, 2022 3:43 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Full strength for me. We need confidence and cohesion between the new spine.

Field
French Bateman Thornley Marshall
Cust Smith
Singleton O’Neill Ellis
Isa Farrell Smithies

Subs
Mago Byrne
Havard Shorrocks

I’d probably go Halsall at centre but I think it’ll be Bibby again but with a view to the semi final I’d feel more confident with Isa and Bateman on that right hand side, defending near Harry Smith, than I would if it’s Bibby or Halsall in the centre spot.

Completely agree. The players have done it tough over the easter period but a big win away at wire on friday to go into the semi final cant be underestimated. If some of the senior players need resting, the week after the semi is the time to do it. Not the week before. We need as much momentum and confidence going into the semi final as possible in my opinion.