Thing is, his running game is pretty good.....when he does it! Away to Wigan in the league rings a bell when he attacked the line.

I think because we dont have a consistent 6 next to him he is conscious of running with the ball and not being involved in the next play

When Hull are playing well Danny Houghton is the engine room of the team, he gets the forwards working and the team rolling forward. Sneyd sits behind the play directing traffic and dictating the pace of the game, and he does this job better than anyone in the league. He can run at the line, and he can put people through gaps, he has done both plenty of times this year, but that's not really his game. He is just a perfect fit for Hull with the players around him. If he went back to Cas I don't think he would be as effective as Gale in that set up, but equally I don't think Gale would be able to do what Sneyd does for Hull, so its horses for courses.

If Hull had a really top class 6 to compliment Sneyd they would be damn near unbeatable when on form. I have high hopes for Abdull (we'll get another look at him tonight) but he has a long way to go yet.

just can't see past Houghton for this now

not on drugs thanks.i gave my opinion you gave yours.if Houghton does get MoS then I wouldn't begrudge him it.would say it's him ellis or Solomona. Ellis for me without any hesitation

This is now Luke Gale.
Gale now on 40 try assists too (compared to 20 from Sneyd).

Solomona now has a record of 37 tries in a season. With such a massive number of tries, many of them spectacular, has any player made a bigger impact on the league this season?

Luke Gale now has 44 try assists (the next best is Sandow on 25) and is still the leading goal-kicker.

eh? What did the man of steel trophy used to stand for? Its always been for the standout player of the year hasn't it?

The RFL simply describe it as the award for "player of the year".
Due to the name of the award, I think some have the impression it goes to the toughest player of the year. However, that's not the case. It goes to the best player of the year.

I've always thought the Man of Steel award should go to a forward. Backs get plenty of chances for glory the rest of the year. Also I'll admit I am massively biased.

Danny Houghton would be my choice if I had one.

Does anyone know how the MOS is selected now? I think a shortlist is drawn up and then the players vote but that may have changed.

I'd like to see each club have an internal vote to determine their player of the year then that list of 12 players is then voted upon by all clubs with the restriction that you can't vote for the club from your player. MOS would then truly be chosen by the players themselves.

Kept their team out of the middle 8's I guess

Quite possibly.
Though it is interesting to note that in the three games Solomona missed our replacement left-wingers scored 9 tries.
The combination between Gale and Dorn this year has been the main reason our left edge has been so prolific (though Solomona has scored some fantastic individual efforts too).
It also has to be pointed out that our halves and backs can only perform if they are at the right end of the field. The likes of Springer, Millington, Holmes, Moors, McMeekan, Patrick and Lynch have been instrumental in this too.

Can anyone remember the last time Chris Hill had a bad game? For that matter, anyone remember when he last had an ordinary game? Without Hill the current Wire side wouldn't be top of the league, they probably wouldn't even be top four. Loads of very valid arguments for several players, but surprised that the best prop in Super League is barely getting a mention.

IIRC all Super League players get a vote from which a shortlist of three is made. The final decision comes from a five man panel including a former winner, a current player and representatives from the print and broadcast media.

He'd my in my top 3.
1. Houghton.
2. Gale.
3. Hill.

Chris Hill is a victim of his own ability. He is a top class consistant performer, I've never seem him have worse than a very good game. As a result that level of performance it's expected and not noticed as much. Houghton for example has been a decent player for several years who has upped his performances this year, as such has been noticed more.

Having an 80 metre pitch helps get you in good field positions

Only for half our games!
We seemed to gain good field position on your full-sized pitch both times we have played there this year, so it can't be all about our postage-stamp.

We've struggled all year against the poorer sides. Thankfully we do OK against the rest of the top 5

Any reason for editing the other four statements made in my original post?

Because they are still true!
I was only referring to the statements in your post that are no longer the case, so I only quoted this part of your post.

And just as an update, Gale now has 44 try assists (compared the Sneyd's 21) and remains the top goal kicker and points scorer in the league.

You are thinking of 'toughest' in the hardman sense which is completely bo llocks, I'm of course referring to someone who has 'steel', who plays consistantly at a high level, shows leadership, never wilts or goes missing, it's NOT about finishing off the hard graft of everyone else, despite how spectacular that might appear, the 'Man of Steel' was about those who grafted, put their body on the line again and again and again. Danny Houghton has been that man. Anyone else would be a travesty IMHO

Ah the annual "take the 'Man of Steel' award title literally and apply it to player x" debacle.

If it was as literal as that, past winners would not include Offiah, Chase, Tomkins, Lyon, Davies, etc etc. It is simply the best player of the year.

If we took it literally it would exclude all former winners bar an honorary award in 1981 whose shortlist included C3PO, K9 and Metal Mickey.

It was a controversial win for K9 in the end with internet forums at the time (it was in black and white in those days) insisting it is a "[iMan[/i of Steel" not "[iDog[/i of Steel" award.