So, moving on to Leeds Rhinos away on Friday.

Based on the first 3 games against top 4 opposition what are everyone’s predictions, starting line ups and what would you like to see?

In my opinion, I believe only minimal changes from last week is the way forwards.

I would go with:

Kay
Taufua
Gaskell
Langi
Kershaw
Smith
Lino
Whitbread
Hood
Atoni
Ashurst
Pitts
Crowther

Proctor
Battye
Eseh
Bowes? If he’s fit.

Just a few tweaks moving Smith into halves and Gaskell into centre.

Keep the defence working hard like last week and a bit of work on our attacking plays in the oppositions 20/30 and we could come away with some points.

I like the team but Bowes is the issue.
If he isn't fit then you have to move Smith and Gaskill.
I guess Hall would come back if that were the case but I'd like to see Smith at 6.

I would too and your right that is the issue unless Crowther could start at 13 for 20 minutes and then do 20-30 at 9 with Proctor coming on at 13 and Hood back for final 20/25.

Just to add: our next 5 fixtures are….

Leeds
Salford
Hull kr
Saints
Castleford

This for me is the key part of our season. We need to be at least picking up 3 wins from this next 5. Though 4 would be nice.

These are the teams (other than saints) I would be dissapointed not to pick up the points. The hard work starts now.

Huge for both really in terms of momentum. Wakefield need to get points on the board with Leigh getting their first win. Wakefield always prove a bogey side for Leeds. We’re expecting to have Bentley, Lisone and Gannon back with possibly Newman also. Leeming out but Johnson should come in to replace him.

Worst comes to worst;
Myler; Fusitua Olpherts MacDonald Handley; Austin Sezer; Holroyd O’Connor Tetevano; McDonnell Martin; Smith.
Johnson Walters Sangare Gannon / Donaldson

Think it shows how bad we are when all teams picked have Gaskell in Will not make a lot of difference who play but would like to see team without Gaskell.

You could swap Hall in for Gaskell but Halls defence at Wigan was worrying. He would need a big performance.

Did he kick your cat or something?
He's not been perfect at 6 but he hasn't been that bad. I'd happily play him at centre. I don't think I've seen him have a bad game there.

On current form, which 3 (4) teams do you think we can take the 2 points from?

Disappointed if we don't take points from Salford, Hull KR and Cas. Slim chance with Leeds, Saints no chance.

Considering we have pushed Catalans and Hudds close who are top 4 I’d say Salford, KR and Cas with Leeds a possibility too.

We will see exactly how good we are by round 9. That will be a truer reflection of what we can expect for the season.

Every week where we still sit on 0 points it’s going to be a must win game. Don’t want to see Gaskell near the team sheet, and if we get nilled for the third week in a row than the Applegarth experiment has not worked.