Think some of you are really missing the point. Under normal circumstances of course you wouldn’t change a winning team, you’d go all out to win. However there is nothing normal about this year.



Winning the championship matters but being ready for SL matters far more! Powell needs to test ALL his players, especially the younger ones. He knows Pitts and Ashurst are top class, he also knows they have a limited shelf life.



So personally I don’t give a toss if we lose the odd game, this season will only be a footnote if we have any real ambition. Like it or not if we are admitted to SL next years, then next years team and performances matter far more imho.



I grant you that it’s counter intuitive but as you’re most likely to gain promotion on IMG points then things are not normal. I look at it this way, do you want glory now or later. We’ve just had a taster, and I want more. So I don’t see any harm in a bit of experimentation for the rest of the season. I’m not talking wholesale change, but I’d like to see one or two other players get a fair few more run outs this year.



I certainly want to see more of Bain, Vagana, Smith and Booth to name but four We need to think ahead imho.

The issue here is that cup winning sides often fail in the week following cup final success and finding a way to ensure that we dont slip up is where we're at.

Widnes away is a tough, tough game as they have been going pretty well.

After the euphoria of Wembley, there is always a danger that some players dont perform as well as they can.

I agree.

Powell will I'm sure decide in the week but the players all said in interview that this was only the first step.



Ultimately now, in terms of IMG and promotion, the only target is winning the GF.

If we lost this one it would affect momentum and general fan chat but it won't affect the season......except maybe to give other teams the motivation to beat us when they see we are beatable.



So if we lost it wouldn't be the end of the world but I do think it's important to win from a crowd and momentum point of view. So best team available for me. No one to be risked for even a small niggle though.

Always good to debate, but I agree with vastman and wrencat. There are a few reasons to rest senior players through the season, but in particular this game:



- Give all your squad a chance to shine and pick up experience. Players like Olpherts, Smith and Booth will be dying to play this weekend. You don't sit in the dugouts at a final without being determined to prove you should play in the next final. If they play, they'll play with intensity. And if we want those young lads to be SL players, we need to give them game time against good teams to learn. But I also believe Harvey Smith champing at the bit is a better player than Liam Hood after 15 games and an emotionally draining week. Maybe I'm underestimating Hood's mentality, but I think you all know what I mean.

- Overloading players' bodies. I know players have been rested and injured here and there, but those like Ashurst, Bowden and Atoni have played something like 15 games already. It's not about whether they're already injured, it's that you're increasing their risk of injury as you increase their load.

- The hangover. It is a real thing. It's very hard to replicate that emotional intensity the week after a final, and even top players underperform because they just can't get up for it in the same way. Give them an 11 day gap and they'll be buzzing to play again.



What I'm really trying to say is it's about medium (the business end of this season) and long term (next two years) planning. But also that I think a fresher team is more likely to beat Widnes away.

We have real luxury now of having a fairly large squad, players like Bain, Boothroyd, Booth, Smith and Olpherts will be pushing for a start. All good headaches to have for Powell

We've the chance of winning three trophies and going unbeaten this season.



That's a once in a generation opportunity.

Is there a league leaders trophy for Championship?

Yes.

Where do most of the away fans go at Widnes?

Their ticket web site gives 2 options:

1. Either reserving a seat in the South Stand, or

2. Buying an (unallocated seat) ticket in the North Stand.

(neither of the stands behind the goals appear to be open)

I went in the shop today Daz was going to contact Widnes pretty sure with the probable numbers travelling they will open one of the ends for is

That would be great if they did. I'm holding off buying my ticket for a few days anyway, so would be nice if they announced something by the end of the week.