Hull FC squad: Arundel, Bowden, Briscoe, Crookes, Crooks, Galea, Green, Heremaia, Horne, Houghton, Johnson, Lineham, Lynch, OMeley, Pitts, Tickle, Watts, Westerman, Whiting

[urlhttp://www.hullfc.com/article/24425/two-changes-for-good-friday-derby[/url

I'd go:

Whiting (but Horne defends there)
Briscoe
Crooks
Arundel
Lineham
Westerman
Horne
O'Meley
Houghton
Lynch
Tickle
Galea
Watts

Heremaia
Green
Johnson
Pitts

Bowden
Crookes

Hmmmm.

Flies in the face of PG's interview stating Holdsworth may play, if he declares himself fit on Thursday.

I'd play

Whiting
Lineham
Arundel
Crooks
Briscoe
Galea
Horne
O'Meley
Houghton
Lynch
Tickle
Westerman
Green

Heremaia
Watts
Johnson
Bowden

Pitts
Crookes

IF DJ is fit, play at 6 - Move Galea to bench to replace Bowden.

Westerman is a must in the halves if we are to have any creativity. Shame about DJ because his bombs (like against Cas) could have caused Eden a world of problems. Bowden, Green, Johnson and Heremia my bench with Pitts missing out (unless he plays 2nd row, because he aint a good enough prop!)

Crookes
Briscoe
Crooks
Arundel
Lineham
Holdsworth/Whiting
Horne
O'Meley
Houghton
Lynch
Tickle
Galea
Westerman

Heremaia
Green/Bowden
Johnson/Whiting
Watts

If Crookes has ever played FB at SL level I would put him in there on Friday. Dobson will kick us to death and in the absence of anyone who normally plays FB being available I like the look of a back 3 of Crookes/Briscoe/Lineham who are probably our best dummy half runners bringing it away aggressively from our line. I also think that Crookes being given orders to back up at the line might see him given some attacking opportunities. Let's meet Dobson's downfield kicks with some aggressive pace coming back.

DJ obviously if he puts his hand up with Rich on the bench else Rich in at 6. Green/Bowden 50/50 call probably just Green as a reward for his early season form.

Quote ="weaver93"Hmmmm. Flies in the face of PG's interview stating Holdsworth may play, if he declares himself fit on Thursday.'" If you're referring to Smailes' tweeted comments I'm not sure where they came from. On the interview on Hull FC Live Gentle makes it abundantly clear that both were "very, very unlikely" to play. Also, the online version of the HDM (presumably penned by Smailes) makes the same point: Quote "Shannon is extremely doubtful, I don't think Daniel Holdsworth will be playing either. I'm not playing games, I'm open about it, they're unlikely," added Gentle.'" www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... z2OeDpKb51

Quote ="weaver93"Hmmmm. Flies in the face of PG's interview stating Holdsworth may play, if he declares himself fit on Thursday.'" If you're referring to Smailes' tweeted comments I'm not sure where they came from. On the interview on Hull FC Live Gentle makes it abundantly clear that both were "very, very unlikely" to play. Also, the online version of the HDM (presumably penned by Smailes) makes the same point: Quote "Shannon is extremely doubtful, I don't think Daniel Holdsworth will be playing either. I'm not playing games, I'm open about it, they're unlikely," added Gentle.'" www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... z2OeDpKb51

Quote ="Kosh"If you're referring to Smailes' tweeted comments I'm not sure where they came from. On the interview on Hull FC Live Gentle makes it abundantly clear that both were "very, very unlikely" to play. Also, the online version of the HDM (presumably penned by Smailes) makes the same point: www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... z2OeDpKb51'" No, I heard an interview on Radio Humberside last night with PG.

Quote ="Kosh"If you're referring to Smailes' tweeted comments I'm not sure where they came from. On the interview on Hull FC Live Gentle makes it abundantly clear that both were "very, very unlikely" to play. Also, the online version of the HDM (presumably penned by Smailes) makes the same point: www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... z2OeDpKb51'" No, I heard an interview on Radio Humberside last night with PG.

So we're definitely not going with Heremaia at 7 then?

Whiting HAS to play FB for mine. Only player that has a lot of success there other than Horne. With our abundance of back rowers, I'm very surprised we never used this option before.

Only question would be who is the other half back for Horne? Who'd do a better job? Heremaia? Westerman? Galea? Houghton?!

Annoyingly, I think Whiting would do better there than all of them, but we can't play him everywhere!

Looks like the situation changed overnight.

I hope not.


Apparently Westerman has been doing some training at half back, which may indicate he's the preferred option if Heremaia isn't used there.

Also, he which he stated IF Holdsworth declares himself fit on Thursday, he will play. McDonnell aggravated a hamstring strain,he was also pressed on the ongoing search for the elusive No7.

Rich will do a good job at FB like he does anywhere if selected there. However with the usual lack of attacking options seemingly available I went for Crookes because I think he Briscoe and Lineham could cause KR problems if working in tandem from acting half. We could draw some penalties coming out from our line and Crookes offers far more pace at the back than Rich. And as you say it then allows RW to play stand off which would be my preference.

We need to do something a bit different IMO.

So, it hardly "flies in the face" of what was said.

IF Holdsworth was fit he plays. I guess he hasn't declared himself fit then.

Not yet anyway - things could change as they have before now when squads are announced.

If as expected Holdsorth and Mcdonnell play on friday it must mean that 2 of the 19 named are injured.

While there is always the chance that the squad could change again by Friday I think it unlikely. As you intimate Holdsworth may have already declared himself unfit to play, family advice may play a part in the absence of any medical prognosis.

If we can somehow manage a win it will be all the sweeter, if we lose well it won't be a surprise

We could well be down in 12th place after the Easter fixtures

(or for eternal optimists it could be 6th

)

Tickle wasnt named in the squad against Warrington and i dont think Seymour was against Widnes

Indeed. Changes are made pretty regularly.

W're in for a complete bumming

Good to see a confident post....

Assuming there are no changes to the squad on game day, our first choice 1,6 and 7 are missing along with our star forward and best centre. Any team in the NRL or SL competition would struggle to win with an injury list like that. With this in mind, I will be amazed if we win this Friday. If rovers are not able to beat us considering our absentees then that would be very worrying for that team. If we get anything out of this game I will go home happy all things considered.

Pressure on the Red and Whites for this one, if they can not win by a clear 20 points against a super league side without any 1st choice half backs, recognised full back and star signing/captain they should worry.

Just hope we put in 100% effort and allow the fans to be proud of each players performance.

While you're weakened, especially in the halfs, not many will reach this stage of the season with a clean bill of health. You've got much better depth this year and you're at home where your record is excellent. The bookies only give us a +4 start, which isn't much bearing in mind our relative pre-season aspirations, but you're still favourites.

We're already a bit worried from some of what we've seen so far, but ateotd we'd (mostly) be happy with 8th and signs of improvement. We can lose on Friday and still achieve our goals - or not, we'll see.
Defeat would leave you needing ~13 wins from the last 18 games to come in 5th, going on recent seasons.

Nice try though.

Not worried at all about the game. We might be playing bad at the moment but they are bad. As I said in a previous post, their side is the worst since coming up with only dobson (especially) and patterson offering a concern. Our pack are far too strong and I think this is where we'll play it out and our backs are fairly strong in defence. I may get shot down here but I can't buy into all the gloom. With DJ and the rest cause it would be a lot better, but we are dealt the cards handed to us and I still feel they can pull it off. COYH