PREVIEW: Nottingham v Bedford Blues
Chris Goodman is the latest casualty of the Blues' injury epidemic.
The back-row forward was forced from the field with a rib cartilage problem during the victory at Rotherham and will miss this weekend's trip to Nottingham.
Goodman joins an ever-lengthening injury list at Goldington Road, but director of rugby Mike Rayer was fairly philosophical about the cards he has been dealt.
He said: "It's as bad as I can remember it being here. It's not ideal, but that's how it is.
"We're picking from a squad of about 24, but it's the same for everyone else so there's no point making excuses."
Goodman's absence will lead to a reshuffle in the back row for the Nottingham on Sunday clash with Alex Rae possibly making the switch from the second row, but Rayer knows that he still has possibilities across the field.
He continued: "There are one or two options. Nick Walshe is available again, Ian Vass could get a run and Duncan Taylor is pushing for a starting spot."
What is certain is that the Blues will be up for the challenge facing them at Meadow Lane against one of The Championship's form teams.
Glenn Delaney's side have won six of their seven outings and boast the meanest defence in the competition and Rayer thinks this should precipitate a keenly-fought contest.
"We've got a poor record at Meadow Lane," Rayer commented. "We usually have a titanic tussle with them and this won't be any different.
"It'll be a good, hard physical battle which will start up front and we will need to be on our guard.
"It's usually a fast track that is more conducive to playing an open game and we'll need quick ball to make use of it."
One alteration Rayer will be encouraging his charges to make is to take points when they are on offer.
At Rotherham a number of kickable penalties were turned down, especially in the first half, and Rayer knows that that must change.
He said: "Bonus points are a luxury this season and the main thing is to win the game.
"We were perhaps a bit naive on Saturday and it'll be important this Sunday to get the scoreboard moving."
>> Blues' Colts advanced to the third round of the National Colts Cup following their 34-16 victory at Ampthill.
The Blues led by a narrow 10-9 margin at the halfway stage before upping a gear in the second period to take the spoils.
Blues travel to Old Northamptonians in the next round.
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Weather for Biggleswade
Sunday 12 February 2012
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