According to Lee Radford in the Dull Daily Wail, Hull will be going with a similar squad to the Boxing Day game at Cas. He reckons on filtering in first team players gradually leading up to a strong team at Salford.

Just wondering if this is a mistake?

If he puts a strong team out with the inclusion of Kelly making his debut, it should draw a decent crowd and, if it's a similar result to last year, may persuade any remaining doubters to buy a season pass. Also, I can't see many Hull fans wanting even the chance of friendly bragging rights to go to our chums across the river.

Surely he's not playing mind games before a friendly?

I don't think it's a mistake.

Radders has his plans for preseason so if he wants to play a scratch side against Rovers then fine by me. I don't think a spanking in a meaningless game against a Championship side in Rovers will make one iota of difference to season ticket sales, if last season's performance didn't inspire people then hammering two bit opposition won't.

The upshot is that even friendly bragging rights won't matter this season, it's a pity to gloat when Rovers won't even make it out of that league this year !

Happy New Year mate.

I think he is looking at last season and seeing the burn out of some players, it could be tougher next season if we get more injuries and with the extra two game weekend, so he is doing what he feels best for the team.

If any Hull fan is basing their decision to buy a pass on the derby friendly then they don't deserve to support us, as Radford has said nobody will remember this game in the middle of July.

I did wonder why we were having so many fried lies, but it seems a clever concept to get fringe players more game time as we are likely to need them more this year.

Now then Dave, all the best to you and yours and everyone on here.

Whilst I agree with both replies, I feel there will always be folk who won't look much further than the scoreboard at the end of the game. Even if it's only a handful, in terms of revenue it's still a few quid, plus there may be a bigger number who won't attend on Sunday because they think there's a chance of a derby loss.

Will both clubs share the gate receipts for this game?

I do always think with friendlies, even derbies, that in the end the result on the scoreboard doesnt matter too much. Radders knows what he wants to find out from it and it is good to give some of the kids some game time without throwing them into the deep end. We wont want to be risking injuries to our first team so you know: In Radders we trust!

My only concern is the lack of game time given to Kelly and Sneyd. They need to form a partnership (I appreciate it will take more than a few pre season games) and it will only happen when they are out on the field together.

Does anyone really want this derby match crowds have dwindled over the years for this friendly I think Radford and Sheens would rather not play it but money talks I suppose

I was thinking that seen as it could well be the only one this year then a few more people might turn out at least.

I think anything around 8k will be good, probably be better to play a weakened team as it will be of a standard game on the middle 8 teams you will face, no point in facing our strongest side and getting a hammering.

I'm not sure playing Kelly in this one would be a good idea, he's bound to be on the end of some cheap shots from the dobbins. Anyway another reason to avoid this unwelcome fixture.

Its not for me. I'm enjoying some family time but I'll be there when it matters and, lets face it, a match against the Dobbins doesn't really matter!!

This is irrelevant to burn-out, that was due to other factors, an extra 30-40 minutes in a friendly against lower level opposition particularly is not going to effect how knackered players are at the back end of the season.

I'd rather see a coach doing what they think is the most effective way to build up pre-season than pander to what fans and shareholders want in terms of bums on seats(£££) and getting to see the 'star' turns and any potential of an extra few season passes which frankly to suggest people would buy on the back of one friendly is pushing it somewhat in terms of reality.

Last season we got off to a cracking start comprehensively beating Cats and Salford with some fantastic rugby, IF that is replicated and the same galvanising of the players then any pre-season doubts fall by the way-side.

Radford playing the long game. Quite a few of the 11 of our starting 13 not selected against Cas aren't back from the Xmas break I think; opportunities to give the fringe a run more valuable for Radford to assess who's knocking on the door. As for bragging rights

Nearly two years since they won a competitive derby. Throw the lower leaguers a bone

Radford hinting that Kelly may get a run out.Ticket sales must be slow

Ugger it am off. Just wanna see sum.rugby.

Which senior players if any, would you like to see get a run out against KR? Personally I'd like to see Connor, Griffin, Tuimavave and Kelly all get a game. I'd like to see Tuimavave at right centre and Connor from full back. Although can't see Griffin getting a game.

Griffin is being rested as he's got a slight knock apparently

Griffin out and Kelly in, so still just 2 of our starting 13 playing. Long afternoon ahead for our second string but looking forward to seeing which, if any, of the fringe players step up against a strong Rovers side.

Looks like we're throwing the game then judging by the squad. Maybe it's to get more rovers fans there next year? The only one of these I've been to was Horne's testimonial. I have no interest in friendlies.

I don't get the argument about resting the senior players. We need some game time together before the first game or we'll go in "undercooked" and probably lose to wakefield who will be looking for a big start to the season. Not giving kelly and sneyd game time together is crazy IMO. 2 or 3 unxpected losses early in the season could see us out of the running for the top 4 anyway. In season squad management is much more important in keeping the players fresh than a couple of hours in pre season games

Don't forget we still have three more after this. I'd expect to see a couple more guys get a run against Toronto, and then pretty much full strength in the last two.

I would imagine the main reason Kelly is playing is because Radford wanted to see how the youngsters looked with a more experienced pivot to guide them around a bit, as they would have in a SL game, and Kelly has been back training alot longer than Sneyd. I doubt he will play big minutes.

Looking forward to it.
A few sherberts in Parkers from noon.
Happy days.

yea me to, see how some of the young uns go, get to see some rugby, bit of fresh air, jobs a gud un,

Can only see Rovers' Grand Final going one way. Be good to see our youngsters have a run out though.

Yep - they've made a thing about their average squad age today being only 23, but ours is 22; it's their strongest available squad vs our weakest (no offence) with 10 of our 11 most important players missing. For a team with stated intentions of bouncing back to the top flight without needing the MPG they'll be looking for a score similar to last season's friendly, just the other way round (60-20 IIRC). Good luck to the youngsters, big learning experience for them.

Why wouldn't they? Massive deal for them if they win this one whilst we're on a hiding to nothing if we play our best squad. I wouldn't be surprised if the 2 clubs had agreed this between them