I was reading a thread on pasoti earlier regarding this subject and have to say the list of injured is getting longer. With the latest being Nelson it will not take a lot for the back line to be devastated. I think Hartley is also one step away from a one match rest on 4 yellows so we can't afford any mishaps. McHugh is due back and it's thought fortunately it will be this weekend's match. That would plug the gap left by Nelson certainly for now but he is bound to be slightly ring rusty. We could do with a good Chirstmas period with us still well up there and in contention at the top but anymore disruption to the defence especially and that might be a tall order.
Even with our first choice players playing the subs bench looks rather lightweight at times.....no real game changers there......Banton could have been...... if he hadn't lost his mojo.
Just seen Nels at the carol service - he seemed to be moving his arm reasonably freely so hopefully he will be back in the not too distant future. We might just about get through Christmas and new year by perming any 3 from the 4 established 'defenders'.
I was wrong about Hartley, according to the beeb he has 5 yellows already. I hope you're right lyndhurst but we are a bit thin in that department. Actually it's probably more like we have been reasonably settled up to now and the usual suspects have been doing rather well than us being thin on the ground there. It's the disruption to the formation that is slightly worrying because we do not do as well when playing other formations. Last I heard they were waiting for the swelling to go down on his elbow to assess properly so lets hope the 3/4 week thing was just a pessimistic possible outcome.
Just tuned in for the day and read a piece on the beeb ref Nelson's arm. Sounds more promising and maybe your observations were spot on lyndhurst. Seems instead of 3/4 weeks out it could be he is back for boxing day. I hope so.
