marklaspalmas

Short turnaround after a big display on Sunday. Where are we at for Hunslet? Firstly, Ruan came off injured. Glover took a knock but lasted an hour. Reynolds came off late, hopefully a precaution in a game already won. Off the injury list, Day's shoulder was supposed to be one week. I'd be glad if he's fit. Wynne was touch and go for Barrow so let's assume he's fit. Olpherts put in a shift, so it's three wingers for two spots again, unless GG goes to centre. Robson Stevens was 18th man, so he's ready. Wilde had a niggle so he could be good for Friday too. Tuimavave, O'Connor, Williams and Turner im guessing won't feature. Looking at the minutes v Barrow, all the backs except Glover (60m) and Reynolds (73m) did the full 80. Here are the minutes of our ten forwards: Vuniyayawa 21+27 = 48 mins Jubb 25+20= 45 mins Beckett 25+27 = 52 mins Ruan 29 mins Webb 80 mins Addy 80 mins Jones 55 mins (inc HT) Springer 32 mins (inc HT) Akauola 28+7 = 35 mins (inc HT) Moran 51 mins (inc HT) Interesting figures and big minutes for Addy in the middle who had a great match. Also Moran, big stint. Jones once again proving his versatility, Vuniyayawa big minutes for the big man, and a shout out to Akauola who is getting more game-time. We know what Hunslet can do because we were mightily relieved to get the points in the home game a few weeks ago. Sunday's results all went in our favour. We can't destroy that lift it's given us by slipping up on Friday. Up The Rovers.

Vossy's the best because he's just so passionate and obviously loves the game and enjoys what he does. The other two are competent The back up guys are all decent and provide insight. I kind of like Roach, he's old school. Alexander is pretty smart. Walters is new to this (I guess) and he's really struggling IMO

So I have the Fox coverage on Watch NRL, and the commentators are Ginnane, Smith and my favourite Voss. The co-coms are Brandy, Blocker, Cronk etc. Is there a list anywhere of which combo gets which match every weekend?

Yes, between that and Terry's interviews with Connor Wynne and Bailey O'Connor as well as the club physio we got a really good update on nearly all the injured players. Stevens is ready, Wynne touch and go for this weekend (sounded unlikely), KIng ready as TPH said, Brad Day back in contention next week, Carlos longer term. Slight quibble, for a full injury update there was no mention of Jordan Williams or Calum Turner.

That is to say you know Wynne and Vuniyayawa are injured.

I hope Vuniyayawa and Wynne are fit. If so, Olpherts, Hatton, Stevens and Akauola miss out for mine.

I wonder if there's a chance of extending that loan until King V and Williams are fully fit?

I don't normally post stuff from Xitter, but this is great value for the four home games left:

I forgot. Pat Moran was originally signed on a two week loan. That's now up.

Seven wins and seven losses. Firmly planted in mid-table. The last ten games of the season will decide the playoff line ups, and looking at it today, it could go right down to the last game as I see five clubs all in with a great shout for just two places. Of the 10 games we've got left, I'd say: Tough to get anything: Toulouse A Tough but we've got chances: Bradford A Tough and we'll need to win three of these to make the six: Barrow H, Oldham H, Widnes H, Doncaster A Really need to win all these if we're going to make the six: Sheffield A, London H, Hunslet A, Batley A So, Barrow at home. We know what to expect from that tough, uncompromising team. Of the XVII that played v York, Wynne did not look good. Perhaps that's a recall for Olpherts. Hatton is still on the outer. It'd be great if Vuniyayawa was back, but his ankle could be a another week apparently. Williams would also be a big boost. The rest of the injury list included Stevens and Turner, and longer term Bailey and Tuimavave. Tactics. Hold them in the arm wrestle, work it wide as often as possible and run in the tries. Tickety boo.

I counted the minutes of each forward, as below. Our subs rotation was disrupted by the foul play injury inflicted on Wynne, which definitely had an influence on the game (although imo York were the better side and deserved to win, McShane's dropped ball over the line notwithstanding). 8 Players (all the backs minus Wynne plus the second-rows) did the full 80. Kudos to them all on a hot day, especially both Day and Webb who did a lot of tackling in the middle. Wynne = 50 mins (including HT break) Springer 17 + 10 = 27 mins Addy 18 + 29 = 47 mins Jubb 25 + 30 = 55 mins Beckett 36 + 22 = 58 mins Moran = 45 mins (including HT break) Wilde = 40 mins (including HT break) Jones = 55 mins (including HT break) Akauloa 15 +8 = 23 mins (including HT break) My inexpert observations here include: great spell from Beckett again, big effort from both AHBs as Jones had to cover the three quarters after Wynne was kneed, Solid efforts from Moran and Wilde, who tired a bit. Better minutes from Akauola, who can improve more, Springer not quite at his best but still a handful, Addy adapting to his new role after doing much longer spells last season.

Reynolds 0/2 on the goals.

For the Trainspotters and Groundhoppers this will be a new ground for Rovers to play on, the 122nd different venue we've played at, and the first new one since Crusader Park in Thatto Heath last season.

Huge game coming up. We took the league points with a great 2nd half performance. But of course York won at Wembley. They are one of the Championship's top teams. Looking at the league now, Toulouse, Bradford, Oldham and York look firm for the top 6. I think Halifax and Barrow will back themselves , but maybe on the slide a bit. Fev and Donny both playing better now than previously and Widnes still not without hopes. I think the bottom four now will be the bottom four in September. Hopefully we didn't pick up any injuries v Halifax. I've not heard of any. So those 17, plus the out of favour Hatton, Olpherts and Akauola will be available. There's talk of Stevens being ready soon, Turner not sure, and Williams, O'Connor and Tuimavave longer term absentees