So, given the very pessimistic outlook by quite a few posters how does the club approach this game. yes it's three weeks or so away but given the injuries thus far does the club adopt a more strategic POV and ensure any players that aren't 100% don't play and thus take whatever happens in the game on the chin but players who might have been risked otherwise have yet another period of time to get right for a big push toward cementing a top 4 spot?

As per every season we have players being jabbed up, strapped up and simply running on one leg, if people are already rating out chances with the best theoretical side we can put out as having no chance or very slim chance of beating saints then is the long term better option simply to play only those whom are 100% fit, even if that means a spanking but is a nod to player welfare.
We all want to play to win and even with a very weakened side out things can happen out the blue, it would be no shame to lose and know that not forcing players to play, or come back too soon is the right thing to do.

Depends what happens these next couple of weeks. Lose against Rovers and Wire and the top four could be a struggle. I think we're in a position where I would like us to get our best 17 out on the field to defend the cup again. The sport and fans deserve a big game atmosphere, which you wouldn't get if we didn't pick our strongest 17 IMO.

Get the best team possible on the field.

Its worth seeing what the injury list looks like after the wire game, not just for us, but as we have seen one game can yield several injuries then its possible Saints may be in a similar situation.

I dont like using the expression of being a free hit, but we are not expected to win, a loss and its business as usual in the league. Could be a ideal game to give first team experience to a couple of younger lads or use it as a game to get some returning from injury back up to speed for the league run in.

Worth trying to win any game and I’m sure we will . But I’d probably take a win this week , lose against wire and saints , then win the next 3 home games and see how we sit in the league and hopefully have most players back . Then kick on and concentrate on the top 4 .

This. We're defending a trophy for goodness' sake.

Silly question, of course we play our strongest possible side.

There are ony two major trophies on offer, why would we purposely reduce our chances of winning one of them.

… playing Kelly, say, this weekend, may be just too soon, and could mean losing him for the cup game.

That's different though. Next week is not a one off knock out game. Losing it does not end our chances of winning a trophy.

…. but we can't afford lose this weekend's game, in reality, can we?