Like last week, that pretty much matches what we saw on the pitch. I was really impressed with the shifts that Ellis and Byrne put in.

Can't get away from the fact that Isa, Partington, Smithies and now Singleton are very similar i.e great work rate, but limited go forward. Havard will a big return for us, as he regularly gets 100m+ games.

Singleton just isn't good enough. We don't have a lot of other options at the moment but I'm not sure what the club is seeing to think he should be one of our starting front rowers. 30-40m in two successive games?

Ellis and Byrne looked promising, Mago has definite X factor but I hope he builds his fitness over time - at the moment he's playing the 'Feka' impact role with 10-15 minute stints.

When you look at the ease the Saints players are eating up the metres it shows just how far we are off them.

We're obviously different teams. Personally, I think we've got more dog about us and they've got serious size and skill. I don't think we're a million miles away in the backs.

We're one, big & experienced forward off having a great pack imo. That's either another prop and Ellis to 13, or a standalone 13. Either extra size as a counter to the excellent, but small, back row, or another prop instead of Singleton.

It's just one player in Alex Walmsley that's the difference for me. We're not going to find anyone like him and that's why it's so important that all four front rowers chip in with a good contribution. Replacing Singleton with Havard and moving Ellis to 13 is probably our best option.

Hull are doing just about everything you cant do against Saints if you want to have a chance. Their discipline is woeful and their tackling technique just as bad.

Sadly I don't see how we can do both. If you drop Singleton and move Ellis to 13, that then opens up two prop spots. After Havard, it's a bit threadbare tbh.

It's Saints defence that impresses me. They seem to get off the line so quick and go hunting. It's as though they enjoy defending and it's actually the attacking team who are under pressure.

100%. They’re so un Saints like nowadays. They’re pretty turgid with the ball in truth but they absolutely run you in to the ground when you carry the ball, leave you out of gas and then take advantage with pretty simply try’s in attack.

Hulls early game plan today was absolutely spot on but they kept making errors. They moved the ball and tried to exploit the space in behind that Saints leave you. They push their centres/wingers up in defence and have been caught a couple of times with kicks in to the corners. We certainly won’t be able to match them in a battle down the middle but we’ll have a shot if we keep turning them and use the pace of French, Field and Marshall. Keep making Walmsley run back to his line and if that means kicking on the 4th tackle fair enough.

We could insist Walmsley plays the ball properly. That should gas him

Or they don’t have 23 injury stoppages a game.

Not so bad.

It’s like 2019 again.

SaInTs AtTaCk iS rUbBiSH

No it’s not. It’s light years ahead of every one else

For a big lad he’s a bit of soft arris.
At some point a referee will pick up on his moving off the mark at virtually every tackle and seemingly wanting a penalty for any tackle.

Entertainers?

Hudds have scored more points than you and they've done it against 13 men

Saints attack is not all that, and quite right it's their speed off the line that wins them games. Walmsley is one of the best props on the planet, but Aussie refs wouldn't put up with him walking off the mark.

I’ve just been flicking through YouTube and came across the 2016 Good Friday game. If you want an indication of how quick a club can turn around get this for a Saints lineup-

1-McDonnell
2-Makinson 3-Peyroux 4-Dawson 5-Owens
6-Fages 7-Walsh
8-Amor 9-Burns 10-Tasi
11-Wilkin 12-Greenwood 13-LMS

It gives me shudders at just how bad they were but how good they are now and also hope, that we’re now on the right path and with a couple of good recruitment decisions you’re in business.

They did have a bench containing Walmsley, Thompson and Roby mind, so not all that bad.

Just letting you know mate that it appears only half of your post has been posted. This bit is just you saying "no it's not" so I'm assuming the bit where you explain why it's not has been missed off for some reason...

Another test this coming week.

Hill 10 for 102m
Yates 16 for 153m
Ikahihifo 13 for 106m

Gutted we didn’t go for Yates when he was leaving Salford, quality player.

Think Hull picked up on this every time Walmsley was tackled the marker moved back a yard he only got 1 penalty for his forward.

Is it tactics or player quality why we rarely ever have one prop getting over 100m ? Ever mind more than 1.

I guess we'll find out on Thursday!



Huddersfield are looking like Dark Horses this year. They've gone under the radar a little bit but they look to have built a good team with plenty of experience in the right places. They'll be no pushovers. A result on Thursday will be a fair marker as to where we are.

2016 truly was our darkest hour, KC at the height of his coaching powers, and the prospect of replacing Luke Walsh (albeit post broken leg Walsh) with Matty Smith and Tommy Lee…

2017 transfers;
In: Matty Smith (Wigan Warriors), Tommy Lee (Salford), Luke Douglas (Gold Coast), Ryan Morgan (Melbourne), Adam Walker (HKR)
Out: Travis Burns (Manly), Shannon McDonnall (aus second grade), Andre Savelio (Warrington), Lama Tasi (Salford), Jordan Turner (Canberra), Atelea Vea (Leigh), Luke Walsh (Catalan Dragons)

2018 transfers;
In: James Bentley (Bradford Bulls), Ben Barba (mid season)
Out: Greg Richards (mid season - Leigh)

2019 transfers;
In: James Batchelor (York), Kevin Naiqama (West tigers), Joseph Paulo (Cronulla Sharks), Lachlan Coote (Nirth Queensland Cowboys)
Out: Jon Wilkin (Toronto), Matty Smith (Catalan Dragons), Ben Barba (North Queensland Cowboys), Ryan Morgan (London)

2020 transfers;
In:
Out; Danny Richardson (Castleford), Adam Swift (Hull fc)

2021 transfers;
In: Joel Thompson (Manly), Iggy Paasi (NZ Warriors), Sione Mata’uitia (Newcastle Knights), Dan Norman (London), Jame Graham (mid season)
Out: Luke Thompson (mid season), James Graham (retired), Joseph Paulo (Toulouse), Dom Peyroux (Toulouse), Jack Ashworth (Huddersfield)

2022 transfers;
In: Konrad Harrell ( Leeds), Will Hopoate (Canterbury Bulldogs), Curtis Sironen (Manly), Joey Lussick (Parramatta Eels), James Bell (Leigh)
Out: James Bentley (Leeds), Theo Fages (Huddersfield), Lachlan Coote ( HKR), Joel Thompson (retired), Kev Naiqama (Sydney Roosters), Aaron Smith. (Leigh - loan)

It’s full credit to McManus, Rush, Holbrook, Woolf and whoever else that has been involved with turning your recruitment/fortunes around.

Your side now would beat that side by 50+ points.

Yes you're right - sorry. Ultimately then I fear we need a higher quality starting prop in place of Singleton to give ourselves a chance against Saints.