The prop at 13 thing could be an even bigger issue if Walker is going to play full back. I like Walker but he's more of an old school, support playing 1 rather than a pivot. Walker at 1 and Fash at 13 would cause me to worry about where our creativity would come from, and puts an awful lot of pressure on Hoy and Brown (or whoever gets the nod in the halves).

The spine (1,6 and 7) will take time to gel, bet there isn't another SL team that will start the season with three new players in those positions.

Leeds

Good spot that, also a new 9.

Be intresting to see what Smith does, but I do agree with a few posters we need more at 13 than just drive, think we have enough good forward from our props, someone with some short of ball handling skills. I'd go with this first game

Walker
Martin
Carlos
Sutcliffe
Martin
Hoy
Brown
Ese'ese
Houghton
Fash
Okunbor
Ashworth
J Brown

Smith
Sao
Pele
Gardiner

Fully expect Cator to be in the 17.

Feel Jack Brown has a bit more ball handling skills.

Other option would be

6 Hoy
7 Smith
13 F Brown

Not sure Balmforth is fully fit.

Martin’s going to be busy playing both wings?

I manage to that everytime



Just can't face writing Mcintosh, but he's our best option unless they go with Scott.

You only have to read the Leeds forum and see what they are saying after the Rovers game, how having a quality 6,7 and 9 has made a massive difference.

We have a full back at 6, hooker at 7, an ageing 9 and a loose forward as our interchage 9.

Think of it as a 2 stage process. This year we have refreshed the forwards and next year we will refresh the backs and hooker.

One trial game?

Let’s see what they are saying mid season.

Bear in mind we were without two half backs that if selected would change our spine.

Plus we were playing Wigan whose defence was superb. I doubt Rovers defence was as good?

Unfortunately there is no quick fix with FC. Smith has started to rebuild Hull but do people honestly believe he can change all our problems overnight. It's not a game of football manager . I bet he wishes he could get rid of a few and go out and buy a few.

They have only played one friendly game together (maybe two) they can't get carried away, just like we can't overreact after the Wigan game (I maybe did to be fair)

Apologies if it's come across as a criticism. It wasn't. I was just trying to point out with what we are having to work with this season.

I'm still quietly optimistic that if we can keep Trueman fit and he can build up a partnership with Morgan Smith and Brown moves to 9 that we can have an improved season.

For what it's worth, if we can get everyone fit then my 17 would be

Walker
Mitch
Carlos
Sutcliffe
Tindall
Trueman
Smith
Ese Ese
Houghton
Gardiner
Sao
Okunbor
Fash

Pele
J.Brown
Asworth (2nd row)
N.Brown

I didn't think it like that.

I quite like your team, although think Brown is too good for the bench, needs to play 80, I'd start him 13 and move to 9 in the game.

Hoy is the intresting one, think I'd have him and Trueman at halfback.

Fair enough!

Interpreted your original post wrong.

Agree with most of your selections and especially the spine.

When everyone is fit then Nu Brown should mostly be used at hooker.

Anyone see the tries from Sundays game anywhere, appreciate it isn't great watching for Hull fans, but still like to watch them back. Can only see them on Wigan TV, which you need for and ones from behind the post which are awful.

must have extraordinary long legs

My hopes ain't high for this season, but I'm gonna wait for a few games in before I make a final judgment on where we are.

It's a lot of new faces and I'm willing to give them a chance to see what they can produce.

I fear we're not gonna challenge for anything, but pray that I'm proven wrong.

My biggest concern has always been the back row. I've always been a believer in the back row being the engine room and the most important cog of a rugby league team. They're the ones that do the tough work on the exposed and open edges. They've also got to have a bit of footballing quality about them.

Really like what I've seen and heard from Ashworth so far. Seems like he's got the right attitude in everything he does.
Probably a signing that a few people were a bit sceptical over but I get the feeling it will end up proving to be quite a shrewd one. The guy has a bit of a point to prove and it looks like he's determined to do it.

I’ve seen one try in particular, which is horrific viewing. Wanna guess which try

The Mago one or the one we knocked on right under the sticks?

Magos sidestepping our defence was an embarrassing one

Actually can I have another guess



Was it the Hampshire try from the scrum? Lane was so flat footed

Where Mago runs through Lane and he is grabbing at nothing

Ahh so Lane was to blame for a few tries then. Standard.

But will probably still get a starting spot as he ran a good line a few seasons ago?