Let’s be honest we’ve made a hash of our recruitment yet again. It can’t be deliberate we have so few adults in our squad. On the plus side they’ve all played together and know Eccles style of play so if we can get a full 17 out for games we may do OK.

Hughes is treating fans like mugs. He clearly doesn't want to spend much on the squad while the IMG changes are pending. Either that or he's brassic. Either way his time is up.

Skolars squad announced. Larger than ours. Noticeable that none of their players who came over to us last season are in their squad this season even the ones who went back mid season. I suspect that means they’ve probably dropped out of the game which is a bit of an own goal all round for London RL.

Rarely did the 21 (24 this time) named a couple of days before each match last year, actually include 21 truly available players. Some were on long term injuries. It would be a (pleasant) surprise if everybody were available on Friday, but no doubt some will be doing their paid job and others carrying niggles that won't be risked. It's only a friendly of course, but if there are drop outs, it's going to highlight the depth issue, not that it needs a match to highlight it.

Very true Smithers. Full on players like Bienek and Albert will inevitably be at risk of picking up knocks the way they play and Horsman has unfortunately missed quite a bit of the last two seasons. It won’t take much and we are right into the U18s or the curious reverse dual ref we seemed to have with Skolars. Neither IMHO is a recipe for success. Hope we come out guns blazing against Batley and the. Pick up,at least 3 Vhampionship hardened players.

Whilst he was bankrolling us he did as he pleased....now he's not bankrolling us, he can just loving do one.....they're lucky I'm not there for a game or I'd pay the extra to sit in his company and tell him (again) that he's destroyed the club I follow.....in some colorful Anglo Saxon terms.

Seeing as we'll all be sat opposite the Gold Lounge side of Plough Lane this season how about a nice big 'HUGHES OUT' banner to cover up some of the empty seats in the East Stand?

Nice idea, RfE, but I don't think there is a banner big enough for he myopic maestro to get the hint.

As an alternative how about one that says “get some players in”. With another one that reads “Right fxxxing now” Drawback on this plan is it will require about 7 people and I’m not sure what our gate will be.

Could ask those playing (if there are at least 7) to hold it up before kick off.