I agree with Hillbilly Red, lets see what happens and how the game plan goes for this game before we criticise Mcrae...he's leaving himself open to dogs abuse if we get wopped and there's no Ratchford though.

Id also expect Turner and Nash to miss out of the 19...Turner hasn't impressed me at all in the centres in the friendlies and Littler has played pretty well in them.

Fitzy, Henry, Talau, Littler, Wilshere, Smith, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapo, Parker, Terminator, Swain Subs - Paul, Adamson, Jewitt, Lulu

Maybe he thinks we've got a big size advantage over Celtic and he's going for a forward-dominated game which is why he's gone forward heavy on the bench??

Lets not make knee jerk reactions, there could be a perfectly logical explaination why Ratchford isn't figuring this weekend. He may be ill or injured, the SL site could have ommited his name by mistake or maybe Ratchford's error that very nearly cost us the Grand Final is still fresh in McRae's mind? or like the post above says Ratchford may simply not fit in to this weeks game plan?

And all this talk of Paul taking Ratchford's spot is nonsense because Paul will be used as a second hooker and not a half back!

Not sure why everyone is so suprised, EVERTON1 gave us the team news yesterday?

19-Man Squad: Fitzpatrick, Wilshere, Henry, Talau, Smith, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Sibbit, Parker, Swain, Turner, Littler, Leuluai, Paul, Jewitt, Adamson, Nash http://reds.originalreddevils.com/2009/ ... d-of-2009/ NO RATCHFORD!

19-Man Squad: Fitzpatrick, Wilshere, Henry, Talau, Smith, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Sibbit, Parker, Swain, Turner, Littler, Leuluai, Paul, Jewitt, Adamson, Nash http://reds.originalreddevils.com/2009/ ... d-of-2009/ NO RATCHFORD!

cleggy_jc wrote:19-Man Squad: Fitzpatrick, Wilshere, Henry, Talau, Smith, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Sibbit, Parker, Swain, Turner, Littler, Leuluai, Paul, Jewitt, Adamson, Nash http://reds.originalreddevils.com/2009/ ... d-of-2009/ NO RATCHFORD! Celtic are a big physical team and it appears McRae is looking to match them in this area. I think McRae will choose 4 forwards on the bench, Paul will play as an interchange hooker with Malc but if needed Paul can play in the backs too. (More Flexibility) I think this is why Paul has been selected as Ratchford is limited to either half back or wing.

cleggy_jc wrote:19-Man Squad: Fitzpatrick, Wilshere, Henry, Talau, Smith, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Sibbit, Parker, Swain, Turner, Littler, Leuluai, Paul, Jewitt, Adamson, Nash http://reds.originalreddevils.com/2009/ ... d-of-2009/ NO RATCHFORD! Celtic are a big physical team and it appears McRae is looking to match them in this area. I think McRae will choose 4 forwards on the bench, Paul will play as an interchange hooker with Malc but if needed Paul can play in the backs too. (More Flexibility) I think this is why Paul has been selected as Ratchford is limited to either half back or wing.

Does anyone know if Ratchford is in the squad for Saturday?

Ratchford isn't in this weeks 19-man squad. (Club Website)

cant agree remember robbie paul was a stand off turned hooker and i am sure stef could go in at acting half at the play the ball with no problem whatsever

I know who I'd prefer playing as interchange hooker this Saturday. Surely a player of Robbie's experience of playing that role is better than someone who's never played that position before at this level?

Ratchford is a good prospect but it's up to him to push Jeremy Smith or Myler out of the team, rather than just trying to accomodate him somewhere else in the team just for the sake of it?

It's just too much of a luxury in SL to have a replacement half-back taking a valuable space up on the interchange bench!