Titans 'could end up with wooden spoon'

[jenny]

Titans 'could end up with wooden spoon'

August 3, 2007 - 5:32PM

Forget making the finals, Gold Coast star Mat Rogers says the NRL newcomers could collect the dreaded wooden spoon unless they haul themselves out of a worrying form slump.

The Titans, on a five-match losing streak, will be virtually playing for their season on Saturday night when they confront a sizzling Wests Tigers in front of a sellout crowd at Carrara.

"We have to aim up. It's do or die," said Rogers, who will play against the Tigers despite skipping Friday's training session due to a troublesome knee injury.

"Every team is fighting for a spot in the eight.

"People talk about us having a good year and they look at the (Sydney) Roosters and say they've had a crap year but we're on the same amount of competition points (18) at the moment.

"If we lost the next string of games we could end up with the wooden spoon."

Although the Titans must win four out of their next five games to secure a finals spot, coach John Cartwright insists the pressure has been eased.

"With the loss last week (against South Sydney) it's probably taken a bit of pressure off," Cartwright told reporters.

"We really thought that was a crunch game that we had to win. If you win four or five games then you're going to put yourself in the picture.

"We're struggling at the moment and we're in a little bit of a hole.

"We just need a boost and the best way to do that is to get a win.

"I'm really not thinking about whether we lose or whether we're gone (from finals contention).

"We're going into this game to win and regardless of what happens we'll be back next week trying to win that one as well."

The Titans' cause will be helped by Friday's withdrawal of Tigers skipper Brett Hodgson, who was unable to recover in time from a corked knee suffered in Monday night's 54-10 win over North Queensland.

"He's a great player so that's definitely a bonus for us," Cartwright said.

"He's only a little fella but he's very dangerous."

Veteran fullback Hodgson is likely to be replaced by 18th man Shannon Gallant, although Tigers coach Tim Sheens was keeping his cards close to his chest following the loss of centre Paul Whatuira on Thursday due to concussion.

The Titans will be missing interchange forward Michael Hodgson (groin) and fullback Chris Walker (hamstring), who will be sidelined for up to four weeks.

Titans halfback Scott Prince (collarbone) returns from a two-match lay-off and although his old mentor Sheens will know what to expect from the little general, Cartwright said it was another matter stopping him.

"If he gets a platform there's no defence that can hold players of his calibre," Cartwright noted.

"Same with (Tigers halfback Benji) Marshall. You put him one-on-one and he'll beat nine out of 10 players.

"But it all comes down to that ruck area. They've got the best in business in (Robbie) Farah."

The Titans have pinpointed Dally M Medal favourite Farah, who was superb back in his customary position of hooker against the Cowboys, as the player to watch.

"When the Tigers were struggling at the start of the year it wasn't anything other than the fact he was out," Rogers said.

"He just gives them everything from the ruck. He's an awesome hooker, probably the best in the game."

? 2007 AAP

[PROMETHEUS]

Penrith have the spoon all wrapped up this year,i cant see them winning ONE game let alone FOUR...

[Queenslander]

A bit extreme, yet it is statistically possible. But Penrith must be getting shelf space ready for the spoon