TWO CHANGES FOR DERBY CLASH
By Matt Holden | Wednesday, 04 April 2012
Hull FC head coach Peter Gentle has been forced into three changes for Friday’s all important derby match against arch rivals Hull KR.

The Black and Whites injury list continues to grow with Tony Martin (neck), Eamon O’Carroll (knee) and Chris Green (ribs) all now unavailable.

That means new signing Jay Pitts will be in line for a debut to remember after being named in the squad, alongside the returning Lee Radford, who comes out of retirement for the match.

Australian full back Wade McKinnon, who has been absent with a groin injury, has also been named and could possibly return for the Easter showpiece.

Kirk Yeaman is also expected to feature once again having recovered from a foot operation. The England international was named for last Friday’s win over Bradford, but didn’t feature in the game, though he is expected to replace Martin this weekend.

Hull FC squad: Aspinwall, Briscoe, Bowden, Ellis, Horne, Houghton, Kent, Lynch, Manu, McKinnon, Nicklas, Pitts, Radford, Seymour, Sharp, Tickle, Turner, Whiting, Yeaman

COME ON YOU HULLLAGGHHHHHHHHHHH.

There is more than enough talent and experience in that squad for a win on Friday.

I cant wait..

starting 13s ok but the bench worries me. As long as they put in the effort and show a desire Ill be ok with a defeat which is what im expecting all things considered.

FFS, all these negatives on different threads. We will put out on Friday a better team in skill, spirit, endeavour and confidence that we have been missing these last five or so years. I`ll also tell you what will get our boys fired up and that's SUPPORT from us FC faithful. Lets get the stadium rocking like we did in the old days and the early KC days. ITS up to US.

If McKinnon isn't fully fit, I'd save him for Monday.

Horne
Sharpe
Yeaman
Turner
Briscoe
Ellis
Seymour
Lynch
Houghton
Radford
Manu
Tickle
Aspinall

Whiting
Pitts
Bowden
Kent

We don't need Nicklas on the bench if we've got Whiting IMO. Any injuries in the backs will see Whiting slot in there nicely. Until then, he can spell at loose with Aspinall. We need forwards for this game.

I think that we'll need Aspinwall in the front row. I agree with the 4 forwards on the bench. As I posted on the other thread, I'd go with:

Horne
Sharp
Yeaman
Turner
Briscoe
Ellis
Seymour
Lynch
Houghton
Aspinwall
Manu
Tickle
Whiting

Radford
Bowden
Pitts
Kent

The opening 20 mins is crucial for us.

Spot on for me.

I wouldn't start with Radford personally. Rovers will come out hard in the first 20 mins I reckon and a non-match fit Radford could be weak spot.

Lets get behind the team and get the KC rocking!

Think we need Ellis at 6, as his kicking game will tire those big forwards out. Keep turning them around. Granted they will come out all guns blazing but our lighter mobile pack have the energy to cope and come strong at the later end of the game.

We have a choice between a non-match fit Radford, a non-match fit Pitts or an inexperienced Bowden. Not exactly a myriad of choices.

They will not let us down

Good point.

Or maybe Aspinwall...?

Unfortunately Panda92 it's not ...or....or...or... it's and...and...and because we have no real options in the forwards.

I will be there on Friday cheering the team on but at the moment the only consolation i can see is that

1. we have a coach who will prepare the players available with an appropriate game plan and not be distracted by those missing from the squad

2. in the context of the season it may turn out to be better to have injuries in a run of matches which apart from Friday we might well have lost anyway rather than against opposition we would expect to beat.

C'MON YOU HULL

That's the team I posted yesterday, I expect Radford to start.

Has pitts been injured?

I was chatting with him the other day and he could'nt wait to make his bow in the derby.So unless something has happened to him recently, then no he is not injuried.

Didn't Pitts play for Leeds only the other week? Should certainly be more match fit then Radders IMO.

Thats what I thought to, he has been in Leeds 17 on numerous occasions this season, should be fully match fit.

Horne (If McKinnon not fit)
Sharp
Turner
Yeaman
Briscoe
Ellis
Seymour
Lynch
Houghton
Bowden
Tickle
Manu
Aspinwall

Whiting
Kent
Pitts
Radford


Boomtime

Whiting starting at Loose, he says in the Wail tonight.

Hasn't he spent the majority of the season in the U20s? By not fit, I meant not up to speed for SL just yet.

Phil Clarke will be beside himself, once stated Rich could be the best loose man in the league, tbf he is probably right