So we are off to Cumbria again, to face an inform Whitehaven side. A game we should win, must win, but need to treat Haven with respect as they are in a run of form at the moment, and beat Sheffield as well so far.

It is another must win for us, thinking we need at least 30 points end of regular season for top 4, so a slip up here gives us less room to move.

With Bately (H), and Sheffield (A) coming up, both winnable but harder than the game on Sat, fully hoping we bury the Cambrian curse once and for all, and that this is the last game we have to play up there this year

Geoff

Do not expect an easy game up there, I think that they are the more dangerous of the two Cumbrian sides.
We need to improve on last Mondays performance, but would like to think that we can come away with two points.

I would make Whitehaven favourites. For various reasons

what are the various reasons?

Dont think we are in the "must win" region yet. I think we are in the "should win" though. In reality I dont think there are any easy games in the competition and the trek up to Cumbria is never going to help, it will be interesting to know what state the pitch is in up there, if its a bog then thats a real leveller. Having lost 2 away from home in the league we need to be focussing on games like this to get some away form.
If we play for 80 mins then that will go a long way

Squad announced, notable absentee Scott Leatherbarrow, so you would think Izzy is in on the basis there is no other half. With that exception, same as Monday, Magrin and Walker to miss out.

1. Our record in Cumbria
2. Form Whitehaven are in
3. Our attack have not really clicked
4. Potential state of the pitch
5. Gut feeling
6. I'm generally a pessimist

Fair comments, would counter it with we have won in Cumbria already this season, last few games I agree they have had some good results but also taken some spankings
Our attack not clicked yet but it will

Agree the pitch may be a leveller
Gut feeling can't argue with other the next one

Spankings? Okay Featherstone in the cup, a game I think we were not too bothered about. Other than that the two games that we have lost we were very competitive in and could have won.
Cumbria last season was not a happy hunting ground, but as has been said already we have won there already.
The weather forecast is not good, it is for rain all day, so yes the state of the pitch is probably of most concern.
We do have our secret weapon though, the drum will be there.

I think he meant Haven have been spanked a few times this season, not us

I did! they had a couple of bad losses at the start of the season.
But as stated they are in a good run of form the last few weeks so its going to be an interesting one.

respect for you taking the drum up their.