This could prove to be a real tough game for me. On the surface we are playing well and the Airlie Birds aren't, but as we have seen many times in SL in the past, this goes through the window as teams get themselves up after a poor performance. At the moment Hull are a wounded animal, but wounded animals are dangerous. They could spring into life at any time. After their performance at Wigan, their coach Lee Radford is sure to have them fired up for this Thursday night game.

Looking at their playing personnel I am not quite sure how they have landed in the position they are. They have plenty of quality and are very capable of hurting teams if they get it together. Despite their recent results, they are still sure to be backed by a large, passionate and vociferous crowd, which will get right behind them. According to this mornings RL paper, they are also reported to have key players returning for the game. Furthermore we will be coming off the back of the most fiercest and intense game I have seen this season, and it is to be hoped it has not taken too much out of us.

Therefore I feel we need to be at our best and be very committed. If we are, I am confident we can win, but it will be very tough, despite what anyone thinks.

Simple answer - the coach. Neanderthal methods, a cheap option, no respect from the players and surely on borrowed time.

Doubt it will be a large crowd.FC supporters are becoming disenchanted about the way things have gone this season.If you build an early lead the crowd will lose interest in the game and be more interested in getting on Radfords back.

most fans have had enough, i wouldn't be surprised if there is a crowd of just over 8000, i have a pass but wont be there, expecting cas to win, and sneyd to continue to wonder what the hell he got himself into

No Huby/Webster or carney in the squad.

In comes Carvell/Gibson and clare.

I think this could be a very close game...especially as Hull will want to bounce back after next week.

Whatever the result hope we finish the game injury free.

You may have noticed that we've had to try and "bounce back" an awful lot of times this year, without success. I don't anticipate it will be any different this week. It would be nice to have a win but we're getting rather used to losing so it won't be such a surprise to us if you go home with the points.

Whatever happens on Thursday, I'll be shouting for you in the cup. Good luck!!

Cheers for that Hessle Roader

We were meant to be bouncing back at Wigan after a poor effort at Salford.

In fact most weeks we have been expecting a reaction to a poor performance the previous week and it doesn't happen so i wouldn't be too worried if i was you.

And unless Cas bring about 2k the crowd will struggle to reack 9k. We have had enough!

Anyway. As Hessle Roader said. Hope you go on and win the cup (and the GF but that could be pushing it).

After last night's performance against FC - no chance

Really ? How nice it must be for you to be so sure about that.

BUT after last week's performance at Headingley every chance

Enjoyed last nights match, I feel we had our pockets picked but that's how it goes.

Good luck in the semi and I am hoping and praying for Cas to grace the lush pasture of Wembley with Cup in hand.

You know, your post reminds me of quite a few before the 2005 Challenge Cup final. Could you remind us all of the score?