Match thread: Championship Round 24. Featherstone Rovers v Sheffield. Sunday 15th September 2024.

[marklaspalmas]

Three league matches left, two of them against direct rivals for a playoff spot, and if we want to be sure of making it, we may have to win all three matches.

We are coming off an absolute shocker at Swinton, so we'll need to put all memories of that behind us.

So, we're running with a 23 man squad at the moment (plus four possible DR players).

We know Lacans and Aekins won't make this game.

I think I'm right in saying we have nobody suspended for this match, which makes a change.

Let's cross our fingers that GG and Reynolds are fit again.

If they are fit, the 21 man squad picks itself (assuming we don't call on any DR).

From that, I'd assume Harris, Jeffery and Kibula won't make it. I'm not sure who the unlucky 18th man would be.

Assuming Gale is fit again, it will be his 100th game for Fev, a great milestone for a popular lad. He's scored 78 tries so far. A few more on Sunday, and we'll be reyt.

Up The Rovers

Edited September 12 by marklaspalmas

[fevnut]

fevnut has posted ‘Fev and Sheffield Eagles: Comparative match stats’.

n.b. This page covers the comparison over the whole season so far. We now also include comparisons over the last 5 matches giving a clearer picture of current form.

Take a look by clicking on the link below.

https://bit.ly/3ROpbGL

[marklaspalmas]

So the 21 man squad is out and it's as we expected. Everyone bar Aekins and Lacans and no DR.

Most people would have Harris, Jeffery and Kibula not in the 17 based on Ford's previous selections, but which other forward will miss out? Very tough call to make.

And when a Aekins is back, there'll be another tough call to make in the backs about who makes way.

[fevnut]

fevnut has published ‘Fev v Sheffield Eagles: 21 man squads’.

We find it quite difficult to see the potential shape of the teams in the form in which the clubs publish the squads, so we choose to use guesswork based on last week’s teams to set them out in the traditional manner running from fullback to loose forward and then subs.

We also include a chart showing the leading scorers for both teams.

Access the page by clicking on the link below.

https://bit.ly/4dZKVZf

[Normy_Rover]

The team really needs buck their ideas up after the Swinton shambles, that result should have removed any complacency the team has after 5 decent results prior.. 

[sentoffagain2]

2 hours ago, Normy_Rover said:

The team really needs buck their ideas up after the Swinton shambles, that result should have removed any complacency the team has after 5 decent results prior.. 

  Swinton was never going to be an easy game.They are fighting for their lives near the bottom.They would have fancied their chances after beating us at home and Reynolds out.

[POR]

Here we go

[sentoffagain2]

    Should pick itself maybe the coach may tweak it a bit.Eden.Wynne Hardcastle Minikin Gale Reynolds Patton Locky Bowes Nakabuwai Day Beckett Addy. subs Jones Bussey Springer Arnold 

[Rovers fev]

Any news on what got mentioned at season ticket night tonight ?

[Phil Briscoe]

6 hours ago, sentoffagain2 said:

    Should pick itself maybe the coach may tweak it a bit.Eden.Wynne Hardcastle Minikin Gale Reynolds Patton Locky Bowes Nakabuwai Day Beckett Addy. subs Jones Bussey Springer Arnold 

Can’t argue with that mate. Albert and Kibula two big boys but not currently doing enough to get into the 17….but what do I know! 

[Normy_Rover]

9 hours ago, Rovers fev said:

Any news on what got mentioned at season ticket night tonight ?

I only stayed for the first half but the main thing talked about was that there will be no terracing running parallel with Post Office road. They're going to build corporate hospitality boxes (some of which have been sold already) and have an open area with tables below that. The 2 sides of the that end will remain terraced with the side next to the main stand being covered.

[sentoffagain2]

9 hours ago, Phil Briscoe said:

Can’t argue with that mate. Albert and Kibula two big boys but not currently doing enough to get into the 17….but what do I know! 

  Same as me you use your eyes and i am sure you are old enough to judge the merits of players.And how players fit into a team like jigsaw pieces.

[fevnut]

fevnut has published ‘Fev v Sheffield Eagles: 21 man squads’.

CHECK IT OUT. The Sheffield squad is much stronger looking than recently, especially with Anthony Thackeray in the 21 after mIssing the last 9 games.

We find it quite difficult to see the potential shape of the teams in the form in which the clubs publish the squads, so we choose to use guesswork based on last week’s teams to set them out in the traditional manner running from fullback to loose forward and then subs.

We also include a chart showing the leading scorers for both teams.

Access the page by clicking on the link below.

https://bit.ly/4dZKVZf

Edited September 14 by fevnut
Correction

[Cas rover]

Sheffield are a dangerous side, especially with Thackery back! We should have a few back so a strong team selected, hope they have learned from last week? A top 5 or 6 finish would be a good final position considering the adversity we have had. Good idea by the club to attract a bigger crowd with the prices down and 2 games for £10 before 12.

 

[sentoffagain2]

1.   Although he is suspended Mark(Aston) will still have input into the team and playing tactics.He will have had plenty of time to study our last few games and plan accordingly.Just a guess but i think he will not try to match us down the middle but make the important plays towards our centres and wings.Expect plenty of short kicks through the defence which are difficult to defend as the defender has to turn round to cover the kick.I feel Eden at full back positions himself better than Aekins.I thought Reynolds when switched to full back for the second half against Toulouse never put a foot wrong and was the best positioning from one of our  full backs i have seen all season.Everybody should be looking forward to the game and lets hope for a win to strengthen our play off position.

[Fevrover]

1 minute ago, sentoffagain2 said:

1.   Although he is suspended Mark(Aston) will still have input into the team and playing tactics.He will have had plenty of time to study our last few games and plan accordingly.Just a guess but i think he will not try to match us down the middle but make the important plays towards our centres and wings.Expect plenty of short kicks through the defence which are difficult to defend as the defender has to turn round to cover the kick.I feel Eden at full back positions himself better than Aekins.I thought Reynolds when switched to full back for the second half against Toulouse never put a foot wrong and was the best positioning from one of our  full backs i have seen all season.Everybody should be looking forward to the game and lets hope for a win to strengthen our play off position.

No matter how they have been playing they always seem to raise their game when playing us,and it's well know Aston hates us.

[POR]

Her we go

[lingaro]

On 14/09/2024 at 06:34, Normy_Rover said:

I only stayed for the first half but the main thing talked about was that there will be no terracing running parallel with Post Office road. They're going to build corporate hospitality boxes (some of which have been sold already) and have an open area with tables below that. The 2 sides of the that end will remain terraced with the side next to the main stand being covered.

Bad idea getting rid of standing behind the sticks.  Every ground that I have been to with that layout is soulless 

[Les Tonks Sidestep]

2 hours ago, lingaro said:

Bad idea getting rid of standing behind the sticks.  Every ground that I have been to with that layout is soulless 

In case you'd missed it, the new IMG era is all about improving the lot of corporate and media facilities and little to do with the average fan. 

[lingaro]

17 minutes ago, Les Tonks Sidestep said:

In case you'd missed it, the new IMG era is all about improving the lot of corporate and media facilities and little to do with the average fan. 

Didn't miss it!

Games dead.

[Normy_Rover]

Terrible performance to behold, 4 or 5 sets on the Eagles line and never look like scoring and then concede a try, words fail me.

[jamescolin]

Left early, couldn't stand the performance.

[fevnut]

fevnut has posted ‘Fev v Sheffield Eagles (Championship Round 24): Match Details’.

We don’t yet have the men of the match or attendance but we will add them as soon as they become available.

Access the page by clicking on the link below.

https://bit.ly/47JiU5X

[sentoffagain2]

  Puzzling how a team that played so well against a strong Toulouse side could put in the performance they have today.We lack pace almost throughout the team bar Wynne and Reynolds and Sheffield didn't need a short kicking game to beat us but just played quicker in passing and running.Sheffield have had a terrible run like we had our good run of form.But they have been a top three or four side most of the season with a playing budget much smaller than Rovers.Why build hospitality boxes the ground will be almost empty unless a miracle turns up.(like when we managed to get Ryan Carr).Attacking play so predictable and easy to read no invention or off the cuff stuff when the game was slipping away.Only Reynolds deserves a mention i know a couple of his kicks didn't come off but he never stopped trying.Widnes are welcome to Patton he can pass but didn't run 10m forward all game.Whatever the board say or think under IMG Rovers will never get into SL we had our chance and failed.

[sentoffagain2]

10 minutes ago, jamescolin said:

Left early, couldn't stand the performance.

   Me too 12 min from the end after the BJB try.