I just don't buy this "Miller is our only natural scrum half" thing. For me Miller and Rankin are very similar, more so than Rankin and Horne. Miller is a lot like Rankin in that he is a little more off the cuff and likes to step and attack the line. Of the 3 I think Horne is more like the stereotypical SH, but really the only "proper" scrum half at the club is HTW.

And besides, what is a "proper" scrum half? This isn't 1983 and scrum halves don't need to be 5'4, stand at first receiver and shout at everyone. They just need to be able to unlock a defence. Positions are so interchangeable these days that it doesn't matter. If I hadn't seen a team sheet and didn't know the players and someone asked me who was playing 7 last night, I would have said Westerman.

There's a difference between running AT the line like Rankin/Horne and taking the ball TO the line like Miller does.

I'm not sure Miller does take the ball to the line though, all the good things I remember him doing have been when he goes himself. When he does try to take it to the line his passing is often poor.

Sooner or later one of Horne or Rankin will get injured and then Miller will have to play. Let's hope his confidence isn't totally shot by then knowing his coach doesn't rate him, just like Seymour knew Gentle never wanted him.

How on earth do you know this to be true? Miller was in the 19 so Radford was obviously pondering on his final selection throughout the week. Should everyone not selected to play assume the coach doesn't 'rate them'?

Miller will get his chance for sure, and it may not take an injury to Horne or Rankin to ensure that happens. Miller needs to prove he's good enough is all.

I don't know it to be true but it's my honest and genuine belief. Do you have a problem with that?

Garbage, there is no evidence to suggest that Radford doesn't rate Miller just because he wasn't selected for the first game.

But why do you believe it so early in the season? Why would he put Miller in the 19? I have no problem with anyone's opinion, but a comparison with the Seymour situation seems a bit wild with no evidence.

It's common knowledge that Gentle did not rate Seymour who was Agar's signing and Miller was Gentle's protege so maybe that colours Radford's view of him?
The way Miller was used during the friendlies ie behind a pack of kids suggests that Radford had already decided that Horne and Rankin who played in a stronger team would be his first choice pairing

From what I saw of Rankin in the derby he and Horne were my first choice pairing for the start of the season, too. Doesn't mean I don't think Miller will go on to do well, and doesn't mean Radford doesn't rate him either. Let's not forget Radford was Gentle's assistant.

Miller isn't good enough. He will get his chance through injuries throughout the season and some on here who clearly have short memories of his performances last season will see that!! Radords got it right, Hornes contribution is only ever realised by some supporters when he isn't playing, take last year for example.

How about Horne played because he is a better defender than Miller.

Yeh I think that was probably what radford thought! But watching the game again, he did miss a few tackles he should of made, made some decent tackles to, don't think millers defence is actually to bad, think is own enthusiasm causes his own downfall, often last season he was quick of the line and first man in to a tackle no matte who it was on and came of 2nd best, maybe if his team mates showed as much enthusiasm as him and got of the line quicker they'd be two man in the tackle, leaving him less exposed one on one! Saying that I thought Horne had an half decent game and deserves the spot against saints. Frustrating he didnt get ball out wide when we had big overlap, but I'm sure he's more disappointed than anyone. Miller will get is chance, and really hope he takes it, I think he could end up been a decent signing in a well organised team, and one with confidence. And I know the young hb in our team rate him very highly

You mean last year when we got to a challenge cup final without Horne?

Can people please remind me of any game where he was 'not good enough'. Because quite frankly, people are talking rubbish. Fans who write a player off after a handful of games are the type of fans we don't want, no wonder we're a laughing stock at times. Same people were talking the same rubbish about Seymour this time last year too.

And shall we again remind the experts on here what the current World Cup winning coach, Tim Sheens, said of Milky when handing him his NRL debut.
''If you're good enough, you're old enough. And I think he's good enough.''

Confident he'll show up for us this year when given his opportunity.

Unfortunately at Wembley when in the biggest game he has played in like most of his team mates he simply wasn't good enough.
I do think he will turn out to be a good scrum half for us I just think at the moment while Rankin is finding his feet in the team it's best to have horney along side him and as many have said he will get his chance this season

Agree. It really is that simple, isn't it?

I can't understand why just because Miller is not our starting 7 in week No1, it encourages supporters to go to print listing a players negatives ?? all players have different strengths don't they ?

Its a squad game and young Jacob is one of our 7s so why cant we just support the players Radders picks ? After all we won didnt we ? Milky will get his chance, and when he does he needs us to be 100% behind him when he pulls on that shirt.

Whether its Horney, Miller or Heremia at 7 they all bring different strengths and weaknesses, some weeks they will look good others they wont look so good, Remember Miller is learning the game still, that doesn't justify comments like Miller isn't good enough. Lets just give the kid a chance.

In the past we have got on a players back during games, like in the cases of Motu Tony and Brett Seymour. In my book thats not support. It brings absolutely nothing.
Lets not let forum talk start something similar with a young lad with loads of potential (Sheens) who's still putting his game together for Hull FC.
If a player wears Black and White, if he's in that shirt because Radders believes he should wear it, then thats good enough for me. Lets not castigate a player before he's even given his chance to show us his improvement.

Anyone who thinks Horne was 'gash' on Friday needs their eyes testing. He wasn't brilliant - made some poor errors for mine - but he created two tries and scored one. Needs to up his game but that could be said for a few others also.

Miller is bound to get his chance as the season progresses.

Who else needs to step up??

Crooks and Lineham defensively for sure and to a lesser extent Ellis who also made a mistake on that side.

Crooks and Lineham defensively for starters. Houghton. Whiting was a mixed bag (some sublime stuff, some poor mistakes). Ellis made some mistakes you wouldn't really expect of him as well.

First game of the season, though. I don't expect everyone to be 100% perfect. Encouraging start.

Wouldn't argue with that.....surprised you didn't say Yeaman

Yeaman looked sharper than he has for years and didn't do any of his ill-timed rushes out of defence, so I'll let him off this week.



That pass was pretty rank, mind.

He looked a lot better than he did last season and I know for a fact that he hated it last season