Newcastle Thunder v Keighley Cougars and League 1 preview

Sunday afternoon finally sees a home game for Newcastle Thunder in this disjointed season, Keighley Cougars are the visitors to Blaydon. This is a real opportunity for this young Thunder squad as Keighley come to Tyneside also without a win in the league this season.

The opposition

As I've said previously, I really can't work Keighley out. The season they were promoted from League 1 to The Championship the club seemed to be in a good place with investment in the squad and an exciting plan for a new main stand at Cougar Park. It's kind of been downhill from there for them. They've been one of the biggest voices against IMG, has stuff going on off the field had an impact on the field maybe?

With the squad they have an experience around that group they're massively underachieving this season. With the likes of Flanagan, Sa'u, ex-Thunder man Jack Miller, Farrell and Ioane they have more than enough to be much better placed in this league. Coupled with the likes of Walkley and Holroyd there's danger in this team.

They'll arrive at Blaydon on Sunday still searching for their first league win of the season and with that they will be low in confidence. Saying that they will be favourites and a win this weekend could kick start their season, I'm sure pre-season they'd have been targeting a play-off spot.

Thunder

This weekend does feel like a real opportunity for Thunder, they're at home and a team also low in confidence awaits. Thunder will want to have a real go at Keighley and make sure they know that you can't just turn up on Tyneside and win, it has to be worked for. At times against Workington we maybe showed them too much respect, I want to see a performance like we saw against Goole. Make it aggressive but make sure that discipline is controlled and get under their skin. Thunder can't afford any yellow cards and discipline is very much something that this group is in control of.

I want to see Thunder come out of the blocks hard and stick in the fight for as long as possible, the longer they're in the fight the more edgy Keighley will become and they'll be questioning themselves.

Chris Thorman has named one of his strongest squads of the season with Evan Lawther named following injury, Harry Lowery back in the mix and David Weetman poised to re-make his home debut. The squad named can definitely cause Keighley some problems.

As ever tickets are available online and on the day, this is one you really don't want to miss. If you're a rugby league lurker in the north east get down and support Thunder tomorrow afternoon!

Other League 1 games

In the league that keeps on giving, we have some cracking games this week!

Midlands host Swinton in what could be a cracker of a game in Birmingham on Sunday afternoon. I expect Midlands will come out on top with home advantage, but this is a Swinton team who won't go down without a fight.

North Wales take on Rochdale on Sunday afternoon in Colwyn Bay, these are two teams who I think can go the distance and be vying for top spot come the end of the season. Rochdale come off the back of a routine victory over Thunder last week and North Wales were victorious on the road at Keighley. This is going to be a tight affair and North Wales may just edge it but it could go either way. This is definitely the League 1 game of the day!

Workington host Dewsbury on Sunday afternoon, Workington were pushed all the way by Goole last weekend. Meanwhile Dewsbury haven't played since 4th May when they drew at Whitehaven. A rest is always good to freshen up bodies but nearly a month is a bit too long! This will be another tight contest but again home advantage could be key here and Workington could just edge it.

League 1 is the league that keeps on giving, if you're near a club then get down and take a game in.