As football director John Harbin packs his bag and heads for Ashton, Dewsbury's season of transition continues apace. New coach Andy Fisher has overseen a turnover of 36 players (22 in, 14 out) as the Rams struggle to overcome the Grand Final Fallout that drove Hunslet to the bottom of the division.

And, where previously the Rams were always expected to play a role in the end-of-season shake up, Fisher will be more than happy if his side can make the all-important top nine.

Dewsbury are currently well placed in 11th with games in hand. If my memory serves me correctly they're also unbeaten at home this season, their finest win being the recent 30-6 drubbing of the Pikeys (Harbin must be glutton for punshment). Ram Stadium's... er... compact dimensions and somewhat challenging playing surface make it a difficult place to go to and play well and Dewsbury will account for a decent scalp or two before this long season's out, so Hornets had better be on their mettle.

With such a huge change in personnel, the Rams side seems chock full of 'ex-' players. Frank Watene (ex-Wakefield), Andy Speak (ex-Sheffield and Wakefield) and Simon Wildman (ex-Fev) make up the front row, with Danny Brough (ex-Wakefield) stepping into Barry Eaton's well worn boots at scum half. And with Eaton gone, perhaps Dewsbury might start playing some football instead of settling for carrying the ball into kicking range and letting Barry have a shot at goal.

Ex-Doncaster Tony Fella, ex-Batley Paul Hicks and ex-Gateshead Chris Parker make up the back three. Ex-Wakefield Nathan Batty starts at fullback whilst Adrian Flynn - who, against the trend signed a two year contract to stay last year - starts on the wing. Ex-cellent.

On the other side of the coin, Hornets can ex-pect to have ex-Rams Damian Ball, Richard Pachniuk(pictured), Richard Agar and Matt Long in a reconstituted full-strength side that should wield a little more steel than the one that played so shockingly against Farnworth last week. Expect too returns for Joe Berry, Marlon Billy, Wes Rogers and Paul Smith.

It's an unusual feeling for Hornets to be the side that everyone wants to take a shot at. Unbeaten this season - and with an unbeaten league record of 12 stretching back into last season - a win on Sunday will equal the 13 games that the 1976/77 Hornets clocked up on their promotion run.

Games like Sunday's are the ones you need to win if you are serious contenders for honours. Martin Hall will be keen to ensure that there are no slip-ups. Dewsbury will be durable and enthusiastic, so we must be at our best to ensure that this season stays on track. Dewsbury's only 40 minutes away, so if you can get there you really should. It'll be a tense, exciting affair - and you'd be barmy to miss it.