Going into 2023 we seem to have lots of options for hooker and halfback. Must say that I prefer Lilley at dummy half, his passing is decent and he makes yards for fun when he runs at the markers. He's also solid defensively. We've still yet to see George Roby and we of course have Flanagan snr if needed.

In the halves I was impressed with the control that Holmes brought to the side. He's straight into the starting line up IMO. I noticed he's wearing No1. Does that mean he might occasionally fill in at fullback for Walker if needed? Think Flanagan Jnr is still some way off 1st team level so that would be good if Holmes can play there too. (Jowitt is also to come back and we know he can cover halfback or fullback).

Lawford looks like he's had a good pre season. He looked sharp yesterday. He may be tiny but he did alright in defence. I expect he'll figure more too.

Patton I think is still suspended but a lot hinges on whether his attitude is right. The ability it there without a doubt. At least now we aren't reliant on him if he goes walkabout again.

Mine would be Patton and Holmes at half back and Lilley at hooker.
Patton has now served his suspension and is available to play.

I thought Patton had 1 more game left to serve on his ban? Did the Greece World Cup warm up game count towards his ban?

It's good that we are able to have these discussions as a fanbase. I can't remember the last time we were having selection discussions about our halfbacks.

Here are a few options for the spine of the team:
Option 1
FB: Walker
HB's: Patton & Holmes
HK: Lilley

Option 2
FB: Holmes
HB's: Patton & Lilley
HK: Flanagan Sr/Roby

Option 3
FB: Flanagan Jr
HB's: Holmes & Lawford
HK: Lilley

Jimmy Lowes' Coaching Option
FB: Matty Blythe
HB's: Adrian Purtell & Chev Walker
HK: Jean Phillipe-Baile

So good to see a few good options for the spine. Some quality good in there for our level which will serve us well if everyone stays fit. Even with an injury or two (which always happens) we look ok.

If our forwards can set that good platform we will look much more exciting.

And somewhere out there, Jimmy Lowes is furious

Nah, we needed Chev Walker as starting prop

Why did someone have to bring up that JPB selection again? WTF was Lowes playing at?

Baile did play hooker a few times for Catalans. So not as left field as some might make it out to be. Still baffling though considering the squad and that he hardly played for us anyway.

Would love to know the inside story to that selection.

I think what baffled me the most about that decision was it became clear from Easter that us and Leigh were the top two and it was always going to be about the final 7 games. But he just played O'brien for 80 minutes everyweek including against teams we were pummelling, then when it came to the most crucial game of the year, he subbed him.

Also Blythe on the wing when we had James Clare who tore Salford apart weeks earlier. If Clare has been on the wing he'd have finished that early chance and who knows what would have happened with Wakey chasing and a nervous crowd.