This season is tough to predict. If the team comes together and plays well, if Sneyd finds his form, if the kids step up, if we support the ball carrier and get the ball wide faster ... top 4 easily.

If we play like we did last spring, if we lose a couple of key players, if Abdul and the other young players get Second Seasonitis or Crooks Syndrome ... then 10th and financial ruin.

Can't wait.

Id only put Roby in front of him, but with him getting at least once bad injury a season, wouldn't swap him for Houghton.

Jake, sorry bud but this squad is a fantastic mix of youth, experience and some blockbusting talent, it's easily on a par with the squads of the era you mentioned, certainly it's the best we've had since 2006 but it does have the potential to go all the way, it just needs some enlightened coaching, a bit of luck, players that don't give up and beleive that playing expansive thoughtful rugby is the way to win games not some of the drivel we've had that doesn't.

Apology accepted but I don;t agree

houghton's defence is outstanding but his attacking play is average. His poor distribution from dummy half is one of the reasons our attack is poor. If I were westerman I'd agree as I'd probably have to do a chunk of those 50+ tackles a game houghton does.

I certainly think there is a place in the squad for houghton but we would be so much better with a more attack minded hooker to interchange him with

Only half as retared as those who would put him in the England team though

Yes I can see where your coming from with lineham. But the other thing to think about is he was poor in defence which hopefully will be put right with Carlos and fonua. Our main problem last year was not been able to finish off line breaks and great field position. Our support play was really poor but hopefully we now have the players to see line breaks happen before they do and have the pace to back that up. As much as I hate him danny maguire is the bench mark for this and can make a huge difference especially in tight games. Just have a good feeling about Carlos, hope he's able to show his footwork at the line and even if not make a full break, get a half break with quick ptb.

Arguably our strongest XVII in 2006, Yeaman, Raynor, Cooke, Swain and Carvell aside I don't think the 2016 XVII loses out anywhere else.
1 Briscoe
2 Dixon
3 Domic
4 Yeaman
5 Raynor
6 Cooke
7 Horne
8 Carvell
9 Swain
10 King
11 McMenemy
12 Radford
13 Whiting
14 Tony
15 Dowes
16 Wheeldon
17 Thackray

at last another like me who sees Houghton for what he actually does although have a differing opinion on here you often get called quite sick names (retarded! Really is their any need!? Are the moderators OK with nasty language like this ?) Tin hat ready

I predict 7th maybe 6th with a run of games and older players being able to stay on pitch

My apologies, I didn't actually think you was retarded, just clueless. You prove me wrong

I honestly cant believe you think so little of Houghton, surprises me. I usually agree with most of your comments, but think your way off on this. I'd have a wager on Houghton been in the England squad next

As I said, these people know more than top SL coaches and players.

Houghton isn't perfect, but like Briscoe his faults are massively over played. some fans will find faults in every player, but how many perfect players are they at our club.

If we had to sell him, most top clubs would look at signing him and the fans would see how important he was and how much he is missed as a player.

Spot on dave

I can't question his workrate or his commitment and his defensive efforts are superb but his offensive capabilities are really limited IMO. Like I said earlier, it's one reason we're so poor in attack.

For mine, Danny Houghton is the best defensive hooker in SL..

Offensively, he needs a bit more coaching, on his vision,decision-making,distribution & variation of plays.

IF.. we had someone like James Webster on the coaching staff, who maybe could improve Houghton in these areas,he would be in the top 3 British hookers ,however Lee Radford is content that Danny Houghton does not need to improve in the distribution facet of his game.

Personally I rate Hodgson as the better hooker, as Hodgson offers more in attack, also in my opinion Hodgson has improved markedly,as Houghton's progression has stalled.

Where will we finish? , I predict no higher than 6th... our squad has excellent calibre of players, but until we improve our attack as a team, 10 yards from the opposition's tryline,is still a major issue.

IF..we could address the attack issue, we could launch a major challenge, but I dont see it- unfortunately..

1.Leeds
2.Wigan.
3.St Helens
4.Huddersfield
5.Warrington
6,Castleford
7.Hull FC
8.Catalans
9.Salford
10.Wakefield
11.Hull KR
12.Widnes

I feel privileged that you deign to pour scorn on my opinion. I thought that you saved this for everyone else. I think you may be in for a disappointment if we finish in the top four.

I think I'd be doing cartwheels but I'll take my opinion over yours so don't think there's much chance

Rshould be top 6 easily with the pack and if the backs can finish off the chances,Hooker is still a concern as no back up and Houghtons offensive distrubution is left wanting sometimes,defensively he is superb but nowhere near England standard,Roby,Hodgson,Mcllorum,Clarke and Burrows are considerably better.

You'll be branded a heretic for that

My opinion on Houghton is that his work rate is unbelievable. Second to no one in world rugby. He is also a very good dummy half runner and has a strong (and very much underused) kicking game. His distribution is average, he's pretty accurate but often slow. His tackling is strong, but the fact he isn't the biggest guy definitely means teams target him to get over him and find a quick ptb. To this end it would benefit us to try and keep him out of the firing line more often in defence imo. I feel this would help his attack too.

So in short, a good hooker who I am glad plays for us. Probably the 4th or 5th best English hooker. I would just like us to have someone to spell him with who can compliment his abilities.

Houghton is the most over rated player in Super League. Hull have been inept in the opposition 25 for three years and it starts with his inability at dummy half. Part of the problem rather than part of the solution.

I often wonder if some come on here just to be controversial or just to make sure everyone knows they know f all about Rugby

Yeah it's really weird how people think players like Houghton or even Sean O'Loughlin are over rated but that's the beauty of a forum, for having debate. I've always rated Houghton, as do my mates in Yorkshire who support Leeds/cas/Fev etc.

If leeds had signed him (God forbid) then I expect many people would come out the woodwork and say how marvellous he is!

He was mentioned as a possible signing on the Leeds board prior to us signing Falloon. Quite a few thought his distribution wouldn't be up to scratch. Then again, some may just have been parroting views they'd read on here, I suppose.