I liked the team last weekend but i'd really like to c rachford get a game. Not only because he's good but also because i think we culd really do with keeping him. If we're not gona play him when he has proved he is up to speed then i could se him either goin to another sl team that will play him or goin to one of the top 2 teams and sitting on their bench insted.

Having thought about the Swain substitution, I think it was in fact a smart move by McRae, why I hear you cry? Well, if he doesn't fancy Turner to be a loose forward or doesn't feel he’ll make his 17 most weeks then he needs to find a back up to Swain and what better opportunity to try someone out than when you're 20-nil up at home? It may have shown McRae that it's an issue that'll need reassessing and maybe he may need to bring Turner in. I doubt at any other time Swain would be brought off, he looks like an 80 minute man to me and I doubt greatly he'll get brought off too much this season.

Just a thought.

You may well be right. I know that some players are better defensively than others and in an ideal world substitutions wouldn't upset the balance too much, just seemed obvious that the defence really struggled as a result of so many subs being made in such a quick space of time. I'm not saying slow down the rotation of subs or anything, just think they need spacing out with a little bit more thought so there isn't too much disruption to the team (injuries permitting etc...)
Also thought Swain had a good game on Saturday and looks to have a good engine. Feel a little bit for Turner given how solid he was last season but it's nice that McRae has these kind of selection headaches.

Paul of Ratchford on for me and that will do,

like i said in post about the match against celtic, Nash needs super league game time , and he will come good, no good droping him the res team if he is going to be brought in now and again, he will not improve that way,

shud be a win for us but its gonna a close game


cum on you reds

update for ya same team has last week

Ta M8. Your info was good last week.
I'm gutted for Rachford tho but i guess we shouldn't expect a coach to change a winning team!

I wouldn't change a winning team unless you know for definite that you can strengthen it. I really rate Ratchford (as well as Sidlow, Turner and one or two other youngsters) but he has never had the opportunity toprove himself at this level.

No-one last week played badly enough to deserve being dropped, especially as it was our first game back. We need stability and consistency if we're going to make it in this league, and chopping and changing the team won't help us to achieve that.

If (and it's still a big if) Ratchford et al are to make it at this level they will need to show they have the right attitude, as well as the skills. A bit part of that attitude is patience and realising that, if they bide their time, their chance will come. Throwing youngsters in too early could ruin them.

In the Walrus I trust!