It would be nice to produce a young Hull born half, it is a long time since we did, we were lucky to have two of the best, in Cooke and Horne, come through together but since then it has been barren and it is puzzling what goes wrong, as youth development goes, Hull should be a hotbed of talent, but we seem to be lacking in something and it cannot be the lack of decent players, given how strong an amateur game we had. I worry about the game in general now, the talent pool is shrinking and you know it is bad when a giant of the game, Wigan, resign Thornley as a centre! I do think a massive change and injection of ideas is needed before the game shrinks further, maybe to part time status if SKY pull out?

I like Mikey Lewis but Abdul is the superior half. We made a balls up there, as well as with Litten. Unfortunately I see no current reason why any Rovers player would want to come and play for Hull. Hopefully we keep Gale fit, have a half decent season and make us look like an attractive option for the '23 season. I'm still incredibly worried about where our early yardage is coming from though. I think that will be a real achilles heel.

Top 25 earners count on the cap, plus any others who play a 1st team match.

He’s black and white through and through, I know his dad and also some other family members, been a hull supporter all his life

Which position would you rather be in going into the season ?

Hull, 2 quality halves in their day but now ageing and injury prone or
Rovers; 2 young and up and coming halves at a fraction of the price.

Abdul isn't young and up and coming - he's had three clubs, four if you count the fact that Rovers re-signed him, but Lewis has the potential to be a good scrum half, the old fashioned running and nippy little nuisance, in the Andy Gregory mould. If they were all fit, I'd take Reynolds and Gale over Lewis and Abdul, purely because Abdul has never produced season on season - he is good for a while and then something goes awry and he fades. Gale is a good player when fit and Reynolds can be very good. If Abdul can sustain his form then it is different, I suppose this season will be the acid test for him, and Rovers in general, nobody expects them to struggle now, but they haven't overnight become the best team in SL, I'd say they over achieved last season, we were dire, Warrington gave up on Price, Leeds faded but have strengthened impressively, Huddersfield were poor but now look strong so it piles the pressure on Rovers to beat all of these clubs, who, on paper have much stronger squads. I think they'll be safe but may also come back down with a bump, while we are expected to be also rans, we could actually fly under the radar, if the squad stays healthy.

I don't doubt you- just quoted what I'd been told - we may one day see him in black and white then, but he obviously loves playing for Rovers, you can see that in his celebrations and I do think Smith is helping transform them, not into champions, but from where they were he has done very well. It is becoming BH's team at Hull now and I think he'll gradually phase some of the old guard out, if we can be competitive in 2022, the team will be an attractive proposition for new players and I just pray that covid doesn't derail the season-it certainly is a factor as to why we were so bad I think and also why a lot of fans gave up-bigger things to worry about so lets hope we can get through relatively unscathed and we may surprise a few. We still have some cracking players, Connor is sublime when he's on it, our centres are as strong as any teams (if Griff comes back ok) our halves worry me but I suppose it had to happen and the forwards match or better most teams on paper. Down to Hodgson now, it is time we produced.

You did his initials are JA

The latter, all day long. Although I probably agree with the Rovers troll that Abdul is well established now, rather than up and coming. That's not to say I'm not excited about the season. If Gale's fit he's 2 halfbacks in one, and Reynolds can be infectious with his energy. My concerns are that Hodgson hasn't really shown anything as yet that screams head coach. I don't think our style or our set moves are any different than under Radders. Just like a young player, he'll be learning though. And I'm also terrified about where our early yardage is coming from. Are Griff and Tuimivave going to take the first two carries?

Terrified? Crikey.

Mcintosh and Swift make plenty of yards out of back play.

Throw in Griff and Carlos, Wynne isn't too shabby either. I think we'll be fine.

Scurr has signed a new deal at Bradford. I'd still like us to move on Bowden and sign another middle if we can.

Granted Abdul is established but he's still only 24 I think.
I would also prefer the latter too, there's a lot more longevity in their partnership should it blossom than the 1 season we might get out of ours but who knows what we have lined up for 2023.

Don't props run the ball in anymore?

We l have a monster pack in Sao, Satae, Taylor and Evans, as well as strong runners in Savelio, Mau, Lane and Cator, with alot quicker, stronger hooker in lovodua, and speed in Mcintosh and people are worried about yards.

Interesting Swift made alot more yards than Faraimo and Fonua if that's what your hinting at?

I'd suggest the new hooker and Gale will help with alot better pass selection and quicker pass distribution than Houghton and Sneyd, get the players running onto the ball and I Dont forsee much problem

Joe Arundel didn't actually come through our youth system, and he wasn't a half.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/r ... ts-3445594 Our ex coach been busy with his paint brush again. Interesting he makes reference to the pressure in Hull, as Sneyd did. Suppose it’s the price you pay for being in a rugby league city.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/r ... ts-3445594 Our ex coach been busy with his paint brush again. Interesting he makes reference to the pressure in Hull, as Sneyd did. Suppose it’s the price you pay for being in a rugby league city.

And having fans with an unfounded sense of entitlement.

Ebon scurr signed a new 2 year deal with the bulls

Ryan Hampshire has left Wakefield.

Interesting that Jake Connor pushed hard for the club to sign Gale

I'd sign Hampshire, but it might depend on if we can release Johnstone or Shaul.

Still think we could do with another prop, but that might depend on what happens with Bowden.

I think our recruitment overall should give us some positivity for next season, a few gambles in there but that's what happens when you realise too late that the 17 isn't good enough.

Still have worries over halfback, both players are injury risks and we still lack some pace in those positions, if we could sign Hampshire that could help, I suppose Connor could play at 6 as we have good cover at FB.

That's how I see it. Hampshire for one of Shaul or JJ. he'd be a perfect 14 off the bench.

A couple of injuries to our big 4 props and we're back to relying on Fash and Brown for chunks of the season. An extra big body would be nice, but I think it'll be tricky to bring a uk prop in at the moment.

It's nice to see a coach notice the deficiencies in the squad and try to rectify them.

John Davidson reporting Hampshire could be off to Bradford as a replacement for Brough.

Would be a great signing for them

INOUT
Hampshire has broken his jaw twice in the last couple of years so not as good as you think as a replacement injury wise

Freak injuries! If it was hamstring, groin, achilles etc then you would have a point