Well at one time we used to have a thread about the forthcoming game.

There would be a measure of interest bordering often on anticipation cum excitement.

Such is progress ... to where we are now.



Anyway, in the interest of tradition, have we any views about the oncoming fixture?



It's a bit of a pig in a poke for me, we don't really know what our side will be what with injuries and uncertainties over dual reg players.



Also our pre-season has been a mixed bag.

The optimism post the Hull game fell away to a reality check post the Crusaders game.



I think it's going to be a muddy mess and a complete free for all.

That's when tackles hurt and home support counts.



I am very worried about the outcome.

I need reassurance ... give be some!

Match preview www.totalrl.com/forums

Match preview www.totalrl.com/forums

It's probably going to be a forward battle in the mud, which probably won't suit us. Oh, we've got to make S-O feel better, haven't we?



We'd all have a spring in our step if we'd won last weekend but we shouldn't read too much into what happened last week. The season starts on Sunday.



The lads have had some time to focus on what went wrong and where they need to improve.



The bookmakers haven't got any prices chalked up for the Championship games, so no clues as to what they think.



I'm going to stay upbeat and hope that if we apply ourselves we can push them all the way. Defensively, apart from a couple of lapses, we've looked decent in the two warm up games.



The injury situation could be key and we'll certainly miss Brett. I assume he'll definitely be out. I don't think Grant Edwards will be available.



My team would be:



Full Back: Mick Butterfield



Wings: Dave Scott & Stu Sanderson

Centres: Liam Welham and Liam Cunningham



Half-backs: Paul Cooke and Danny Niklas



Props: Mark Castle and Russ Spiers



Hooker: Mike Emmett



Second Row: Mike Kelly and Lee Waterman (if fit)



Loose Forward: Shaun Leaf



Subs: Kyle Kesik, Matt Carbutt, and Scott Spaven



The fourth sub needs to be a prop. Craig Robinson isn't a prop and I don't think it'd be a good move to use him there (as we've done in the past). One injury to Brett and our prop shortage has been exposed, as quite a few of us have mentioned in earlier threads.



Are you free on Sunday S-O?

Ryan Wilson is a prop , got to give him a chance.

I hope Kes & Spaven are fit as they would be my choice hookers !

You're probably right with Ryan Wilson. I haven't noticed him much to be honest.

Without wanting to put a damper on it with more rain forecast will the pitch be under water? Decision to play will have to be made Saturday. Wouldn't be too unhappy if not playable.

I think the game may well be off, I hope so.

Pretty sure emmett is a loose so I would have him there and Kes & spaven as hookers.

would have Emmett as loose and spaven & Kes as hookers.

The halves as posred.

Hope thats not right about an injury to Waterman!!

Don't know what posred means but it should be posted!!!

Looking forward to Sunday especially with our 3 signings last night:



WORKINGTON Town have received a triple boost to their squad by signing three young Wigan Warriors on a month's loan.



Forward Rob Lever and utility backs Jack Murphy and Lewis Tierney, the latter the son of former duel-code star Jason Robinson, trained with the squad last night and are expected to be in the Town side to take on Doncaster in the Championship opener at Derwent Park (3pm ko) on Sunday.





Roll on Sunday hope there is a good following from you guys

Workington is a notoriously difficult place to go and get a result, we have managed it over the last couple of years with last minute smash and grabs. They have improved over the close season and I expect them to be a sterner challenge. We may very well lose there, but I won;t be writing off the season if we get beat away at a good side.



If we do lose, it probably means we're not going to win the league; but I don't think we're going to win the league anyway.



If we win, it means we're probably not going to finish bottom; but I don't think we're going to finish bottom anyway.



Long story short, I will wait a good 5/6 games before I form my opinion of this squad and what I expect of them this year