Wasn't sure where to post this but here goes....

AP has said that this is 'the most expensive squad' he's ever assembled and we're one of the top spenders in the league which is putting too much pressure on a team that realistically is around the 5 - 8 league position.

IF he is telling the truth then he and Clark have massively messed the cap up. We must have so many average players on overs. Plus most of our 'top tier' players are sooo inconsistent or past their peak.

We've top loaded the squad, but if we get a few injuries we don't have the strength in depth to cope.

If we break down the squad, you can see the real lack of quality back ups.

Fullback - Connor, Shaul, Wynne
Wing - Faraimo, Swift, Mitch
Centre - Griffin, Carlos, Scott, Fonua
Half - Sneyd, Reynolds, McNamara
Prop - Taylor, Satae, Sao, Fash, Bowden, Brown
Back row - Mau, Savelio, Cator, Lane
Hooker - Houghton, JJ

It also points out a lack any real spark or a game changer apart from Connor. We didn't have anyone last night to swing momentum back in our favour, Cas did a good job on Connor, but equally we couldn't get him into any space (apart from Swifts try) or have another outlet. It'd be nice to have a Parcell/McShane/Clark or be able to bring on a Kasiano type middle.

If allowed I’m sure Hodgson could mould us into a decent team. I hope he is given the same backing that Radford was afforded

A lot of this is fantasy rugby, and would involve us being able to shift Fonua but we could begin a rebuild next season:

Ins: Siliva Havili (Canberra), Tom Amone (Wests), Tyrone Peachey (GC), Ryan Hampshire (Wakey), Alex Foster (Cas)

Havili, Peachey & Hampshire would give us a creative outlet. Amone wouldn't leave us short of a bigger middle and Foster would add some versatility.

Connor, McIntosh, Carlos, Griffin, Swift, Reynold, Sneyd, Satae, Havili, Sao, Peachey, Savelio, Lane

Cator, Taylor, Amone, Hampshire

Shaul, Wynne, Mitch, Scott, Foster, McNamara, Fash, Brown, Bowden, Houghton

I don't see us bringing in 5/6 players for next season though to compete for a top 4 spot.

Interesting one this, how would you compare yourselves/ recruitment/retention so far against say, watson at the giants, who've had an ignominious season so far, but he's started trimming the perceived fat and booting out players he doesn't want. Not entirely sure on replacements yet, but some strong rumours, how does it go with you guys, other than faraimo, is anyone else moving on?

10,000 pass holders, if they don’t wake up!

Watson probably has more wiggle room for recruitment than Hodgson.

Unless we can shift some on, Hodgson has his hands tied recruitment wise. Fonua is allegedly on well over 150k. I dread to think how much other players are on if we're at full cap.

It'll be interesting to see if Watson can get a tune out of Fages and Lolahea next season, I just don't see that pairing working. Levi should be a good signing for Hudds next year though. Watson needs a big season in 22 for sure

I'd keep Ma'u dont see much point in releasing him to sign another overseas player ho might not be as good.

Definitely need a hooker, would also like a 7 go can pass, run and create but that's unlikely to happen until end of 2022.

Peachey and Ma'u are both ooc. I'm open to keeping Ma'u, just conscious that he's 33/34. Peachey is a ball playing back row and a few years younger.

Houghton, Sneyd and Reynolds all expire 2022 I think so we can hopefully shake things up a bit more.

Pace and creativity definitely needed.

Mau s stepped it up abit, but still can't pass a ball, it's these decisions that you've got to be ruthless with, I'm guessing we've given him a new deal, whereas replacing him with Peachey would of benefitted what the team needs more versatility, creativity ...........

Question is who's making these decisions??

I love Manus running style. He doesn't fear anyone, runs it in like a train but I agree his passing game let's him down. For a side that struggles for points Peachey might be a better fit for us? It's all fantasy stuff, but stops me from going mad

I've been impressed with BH's tenure, especially with the defensive system implemented, and perhaps more importantly the bonding of the squad.
The one thing that has been disappointing, and very surprising, is that he hasn't yet addressed our structure in attack, however during the interview with Brian Carney, he stated, he was leaving it to the players....
Regarding improving the side, I feel we need to change our 6,7 and 9. , maybe we have to wait until their contracts expires, or. try player exchanges, maybe with our ex coach?
For mine, I'm not bothered, if Shaul,Fonua, Reynolds,Sneyd, Houghton & Bowden depart. Reynolds has been unlucky with injuries, but maybe he's not as durable as he once was.
Sneyd, apart from his excellent goalkicking, offers little in attack, his inability to take the line on, which was illustrated by , instead of taking the tackle, he gave a forward pass to Sao.
Bowden , not enough metres.
Houghton great defender, but. ball in hand, bang average.
Fonua. Ball in hand he's good, defense positioning and decision making , are terrible.
I feel for Hodgo, it's a pity he won't get the same backing as his predecessor did,

We have to hope he does get the backing for new players and we need to be a lot more ruthless in moving players on.
Not a big fan of Houghton but still offers a lot at 9 when you compare him to say Johnstone.
We should give the Houghton/Shaul middle more game time when Shaul is fit.It will work.
One criticism i have of Hodgson is in some of the recent bench selections which really didnt make any sense especially when we have had players making cameo 2 or 3 minute appearances or not playing at all.

What does houghton still offer?

Manu bought a car from Taylors firm a few months back so that tells you hes signed on for atleast another year

A lot more than our second choice Johnstone

Quote ="mwindass"Wasn't sure where to post this but here goes.... AP has said that this is 'the most expensive squad' he's ever assembled and we're one of the top spenders in the league which is putting too much pressure on a team that realistically is around the 5 - 8 league position. IF he is telling the truth then he and Clark have massively messed the cap up. We must have so many average players on overs. Plus most of our 'top tier' players are sooo inconsistent or past their peak. We've top loaded the squad, but if we get a few injuries we don't have the strength in depth to cope. If we break down the squad, you can see the real lack of quality back ups. Fullback - Connor, Shaul, Wynne Wing - Faraimo, Swift, Mitch Centre - Griffin, Carlos, Scott, Fonua Half - Sneyd, Reynolds, McNamara Prop - Taylor, Satae, Sao, Fash, Bowden, Brown Back row - Mau, Savelio, Cator, Lane Hooker - Houghton, JJ It also points out a lack any real spark or a game changer apart from Connor. We didn't have anyone last night to swing momentum back in our favour, Cas did a good job on Connor, but equally we couldn't get him into any space (apart from Swifts try) or have another outlet. It'd be nice to have a Parcell/McShane/Clark or be able to bring on a Kasiano type middle. If allowed I’m sure Hodgson could mould us into a decent team. I hope he is given the same backing that Radford was afforded A lot of this is fantasy rugby, and would involve us being able to shift Fonua but we could begin a rebuild next season: Ins: Siliva Havili (Canberra), Tom Amone (Wests), Tyrone Peachey (GC), Ryan Hampshire (Wakey), Alex Foster (Cas) Havili, Peachey & Hampshire would give us a creative outlet. Amone wouldn't leave us short of a bigger middle and Foster would add some versatility. Connor, McIntosh, Carlos, Griffin, Swift, Reynold, Sneyd, Satae, Havili, Sao, Peachey, Savelio, Lane Cator, Taylor, Amone, Hampshire Shaul, Wynne, Mitch, Scott, Foster, McNamara, Fash, Brown, Bowden, Houghton I don't see us bringing in 5/6 players for next season though to compete for a top 4 spot.'" Down to AP whether he rolls the dice to keep the supporters happy. If as he’s hinted nothing will happen until end of 22 and 23. upthecream.co.uk/hull-fc-contracts/

Quote ="mwindass"Wasn't sure where to post this but here goes.... AP has said that this is 'the most expensive squad' he's ever assembled and we're one of the top spenders in the league which is putting too much pressure on a team that realistically is around the 5 - 8 league position. IF he is telling the truth then he and Clark have massively messed the cap up. We must have so many average players on overs. Plus most of our 'top tier' players are sooo inconsistent or past their peak. We've top loaded the squad, but if we get a few injuries we don't have the strength in depth to cope. If we break down the squad, you can see the real lack of quality back ups. Fullback - Connor, Shaul, Wynne Wing - Faraimo, Swift, Mitch Centre - Griffin, Carlos, Scott, Fonua Half - Sneyd, Reynolds, McNamara Prop - Taylor, Satae, Sao, Fash, Bowden, Brown Back row - Mau, Savelio, Cator, Lane Hooker - Houghton, JJ It also points out a lack any real spark or a game changer apart from Connor. We didn't have anyone last night to swing momentum back in our favour, Cas did a good job on Connor, but equally we couldn't get him into any space (apart from Swifts try) or have another outlet. It'd be nice to have a Parcell/McShane/Clark or be able to bring on a Kasiano type middle. If allowed I’m sure Hodgson could mould us into a decent team. I hope he is given the same backing that Radford was afforded A lot of this is fantasy rugby, and would involve us being able to shift Fonua but we could begin a rebuild next season: Ins: Siliva Havili (Canberra), Tom Amone (Wests), Tyrone Peachey (GC), Ryan Hampshire (Wakey), Alex Foster (Cas) Havili, Peachey & Hampshire would give us a creative outlet. Amone wouldn't leave us short of a bigger middle and Foster would add some versatility. Connor, McIntosh, Carlos, Griffin, Swift, Reynold, Sneyd, Satae, Havili, Sao, Peachey, Savelio, Lane Cator, Taylor, Amone, Hampshire Shaul, Wynne, Mitch, Scott, Foster, McNamara, Fash, Brown, Bowden, Houghton I don't see us bringing in 5/6 players for next season though to compete for a top 4 spot.'" Down to AP whether he rolls the dice to keep the supporters happy. If as he’s hinted nothing will happen until end of 22 and 23. upthecream.co.uk/hull-fc-contracts/

I agree on this seasons showings.

But what does Houghton actually offer?

Have we no hookers in the academy?

Haha you want to replace Houghton with someone out the academy!! How about 100% effort very few mistakes, always accurate with his passing, and the best engine at the club. The least of of our worries in my opinion

Agreed, but why a hooker? no scrums a hooker isn't a hooker anymore hasn't been for years, someone quick is a much better option these days look at dwyer for example

Why are we still not having scrums? Ridiculous!! Not that it makes much difference to the hooking role, granted speed from dummy half can be effective, but having a hooker purely with pace, ain’t going to give you a 80 min performance. Shaul for instance, could be dangerous scooting from dummy half, but he’s no hooker. Dwyer I’ve seen as many poor performances as decent ones. Houghtons getting on a bit now, but still one of our top performers week in, week out, I’d like to see more dummy half runs like everyone else, not sure why he doesn’t to be honest, because he still as a decent burst of speed. But people slating him, with stupid comments, like he’s living on the back of one cc tackle, is just disrespectful, not true, and clueless. He’s being a loyal servant, an outstanding pro, and seriously doesn’t deserve the complete bull that’s thrown at him on here from some of the clueless =#FF0000Cut out the name calling please.

And that's the mentality that holds this club back, sentiment. The guy stated he d lost his motivation for playing the sport not long ago. Its shown in some of his performances, the sky commentry team pointed out in the pre match build up his lapses in getting onside, then we saw it in the actual game.

Hodgson speaks of our slowness around the ruck, you see Pearson going mad at a Houghton offside when we're in a key moment in the match. Your seeing young lads like cam Scott coming over to play the ball because Houghtons not where he should be.

He's unravelling, yes he's been great in the past but you can't, wear blinkers and shout what a legend he is based on current showings, a portion of our fans make the Hull lads in the team untouchable its abit cringey.

And your coming over as a =#FF0000Cut out the name calling please yourself pal

The truth hurts as they say...........

What a load of bull, Pearson going mad about Houghton? Your making it up, I’m not sure what he was going mad about, but I’d hazard a guess, it was at the ref giving the offside, their was 3 players more offside than Houghton was the incident your talking about, your slagging a player off for been enthusiastic in defence. Slowness around the ruck doesn’t mean he’s referring to Houghton, again if I was to guess, he probably means the actual getting up and playing the ball. My defence of Houghton isn’t sentiment at all, it’s my opinion, that Houghton still does a decent job for us.=#FF0000Insult removed, enough!

Talk about deluded hahahaha, it was clearly Houghton who didn't get back onside as he curved his run, did you actually watch the game, and you can see Pearson went mad because of the dumbness of giving an offside away in a key moment of the game, it was criminal, you've got to be Houghtons dad!!!!!!

Carry on with the.name calling tough guy, easy behind a keyboard eh

Any chance you two could take your flirting to private messages?

Called it weeks ago..

If we (Rovers) lose to Huddersfield you’ll have climbed the table today.

I’ve had to become expert in finding silver linings in recent seasons.

Thanks but that would only last until Saturday night after Leeds stuff us at Newcastle.