I don't think I'd make any changes at this stage, although I would consider shuffling the positions around a bit. Probably start with a back row of Mini, Ellis and Manu to lay a foundation and then bring on Thompson to use his footwork at the line against tired defenders.

If there is one player I've been a touch disappointed with its Watts, so if he doesn't step up this week I would be thinking about bringing in Green for the Widnes game, but no need to ring the changes yet. We've played very well twice, and above average against Cas, who put in a really top class performance. The loss might not be a bad thing in the long run, everything has been a bit easy so far and we needed a test. I would have obviously rather had a tough game and come out on top, but we will get more out of the Cas game performance wise than the other 2.

From what I've seen of Wigan this year they look really sluggish in attack and I don't see them asking as many questions of our defence as Cas did. They are defensively solid, but as long as our pack do their thing I think we can get the 2 points, which would put us in good shape with other top sides struggling and a run of winnable games ahead.

A couple of comments mentioned how our attack struggled. Not sure I agree, I thought we looked dangerous again. Michaels should have scored, so should have Minichiello, and there were a couple of excellent try savers on Logan and Pritchard. Without doing very much different we could easily have racked up 40+ again.

Free members coach travel to Widnes being advertised on the club website. www.hullfc.com/article/44217/fre ... -away-game

Free members coach travel to Widnes being advertised on the club website. www.hullfc.com/article/44217/fre ... -away-game

Pritchard just given a caution for his open handed strike. Lucky, hopefully wont lash out so easily again.

Paul Clarke tweeted Talanoa hasn't gone home. Was at U23s yesterday with a load of other first team players.

Standing around near the touchline like Yeaman?

Didn't realise you could stoop so low.

It was a joke about Yeaman ref the comments about him on the under 23 thread nothing to do with Talanoa.
go back to sleep

Thaler reffing. One game where we need a tough official to clamp down on Wigan's cynical tactics at the ruck. Hmm.

Must win game. We lose and that'll be played three won one lost two at the KC and all this KC fortress talk will be laughable.

Must win? Lol. Drama queen. Never in the Super League era has a home game v Wigan been "must win".
Played 3, won 2, next game is a "must win" . Get a grip

Ok then who gives a f()()k if we win. Doesnt matter at all. Might as well lose as it makes no difference. Sod trying to make the KC a fortress, sod wanting to be a better team and club

Saying it's not a must win game doesn't mean you don't care about the outcome you fool.

dear oh dear must win, you really need to get a grip,

Only challenge cup games and playoff games are must win!

Hi all, Wigan supporter here. Before the season I was down playing Hull FCs chances. In previous years you've always been the trendy preseason pick because of some flashy NRL signings but never played up to expectations.

However this year I think you've got it right, signing quality Aussies Manu, Carlos and Minichello. Along with some good English talent, Shaul, Taylor, Houghton.

Think you'll be a top 5 team at least injuries depending.

From a Wigan POV, so far this year it's been ugly, defence has been solid as normal but the attack is woeful at times ( no preseason for Smith and Williams). That combined with how poor our away for has been the last year or so , I think Hull have a good chance for the 2 points.

Think we'll line up this way with O'loughlin covering 9 at some point

Tierney
Manfredi
Gelling
Sarginson
Charnley
Williams
Smith
Sutton
Powell
Flower
Farrell
Bateman
O'loughlin

Tautai
Clubb
Burke
Mossop

I take it back your not a drama queen.

Whilst not a must win, this game could dictate how things pan out in the short term at least.
A poor heavy defeat and that will really dent the confidence and undermine all the good work of the first two games and we'd be going into the Widnes game on a downer and a little bit of pressure against a Widnes side that's doing well.
Win against Wigan and that changes the complexion of the Widnes game completely and how bouyed the players AND fans would br.

Squads for Friday night:

Hull FC squad for Wigan: Bowden, Ellis, Green, Houghton, Logan, Manu, Michaels, Minichiello, Naughton, Pritchard, Pryce, Shaul, Sneyd, Talanoa, Taylor, Thompson, Tuimavave, Washbrook, Watts.

Wigan Warriors 19-man squad: Bateman, Burke, Charnley, Clubb, Farrell, Flower, Gelling, Gildart, Gregson, Manfredi, Mossop, O'Loughlin, Powell, Sarginson, Smith, Sutton, Tautai, Tierney, Williams

No problem with the squad, no point in changing much around, might have lost to cas but we still pushed them hard. Naughton coming in for Abdull is a fair rotation, both young lads and good to give them all a run out at the start of the year.

Abdull picked up an injury when playing for the 23s apparently. Not sure how serious.

So how many is everyone expecting to be there this week? 11K??

We got just under 11,000 for last years game which was the last game before the split. So, times weren't maybe as 'feel good' as they are now. I'd hope that with us getting 10,500 for a game on a Thurs night on sky would mean we'd get over 12,000. Maybe even push 13k, but the 'feel good' factor might be going to my head

I'll be careful with mine and say a little over 12,000. Last time i wrote about being told 13k, it annoyed someone.

tonight's attendance 10,612

I'm gonna go for an attendance of 11,513.

id say just under 11000 weather forecast may put a few walk ups off www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2645425 rain

id say just under 11000 weather forecast may put a few walk ups off www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2645425 rain