getting some game time and throwing 1st XVII players into the friendlies I think has to be the way to go. You can't second guess injuries, they can happen at any time even outside of match play so trying to cotton wool early doors IMHO isn't really of benefit. Obviously getting younger squad members game time is crucial too so a balanced approach is fine but not shying away from ensuring everyone gets a decent wedge on the field.
What I would like to see is more thought into rotating players earlier on and if we do have younger squad players in the XVII then bloody well use them not wait until last 10 minutes of the second half. Radford has been guilty of that too often and it's a wasted sub spot and thus forwards particularly are more fatigued.
The other aspect is mental strength, again we went into free-fall too often and against crap sides too as well as folding badly from strong starts.
I didn't think we were too bad physically at season end I just think that we failed mentally at times and this cost us and we end up chasing or letting in soft tries too often including the Leeds play-off game.

Decent side that, albeit still missing Shaul, Taylor, Bowden, Minichiello, Manu and Green. Are Green and Shaul injured?

green seems to be pretty injury prone. Shame as he never really gets a consistent run of games

At work today, is the Catalan game on radio?

Best I can find is online.... mixlr.com/hull-fc-live/

Best I can find is online.... mixlr.com/hull-fc-live/

Very pleasing if unexpected scoreline. Best part was the performances of Faraimo and Paea. Faraimo’s first carry was ace, if he continues like that he’ll be a right fan’s favourite. And Paea looked like he’d never been away.

When Watts dropped out I thought we might get steamrollered in the forwards with Tag, Watts, Bowden, Manu, Mini and Green all missing (essentially our starting pack). They stood up to the physical challenge really well I thought, just 2 tries conceded. Handling not amazing either side but it was snowing all game.

Hopefully good on injuries too. Masi got clobbered and went off in first half but came back for big minutes in 2nd. Connor took a bang to his arm first half but stayed on. Think Radford will be satisfied again.

I know it was a friendly but I was surprised how easy it seemed against a pretty much full strength Cats team. We won without needing to get out of second gear, which is pleasing considering the bulk of our pack was missing. I was impressed by Faraimo's strength in carrying the ball, I think he knocked Aiton airborne with that first carry Haha

according to radford today, green the only player unavailable for the opening match v huddersfield

... at least it wasn't 40°C.

I don't think so
2017 23 app. out for 7 week period june/July
2016 26 app
For someone who people don't consider to be a first choice XVII player he makes a lot of appearances and always has a strong game.

Highlights here c.newsnow.co.uk/A/920586642?-4338:2393

Highlights here c.newsnow.co.uk/A/920586642?-4338:2393

Always been a bit indifferent to Green if im honest but in our last game of the 2017 season in the play offs against Leeds we was going no where then Green came on and totally changed FC and was possibly our best forward on the pitch - hes deffo got it, just needs to find consistency and not get injured as much

Doesn't always have a strong game, very inconsistent, got to improve that or he won't be on the 17, the likes of Masi and Fash could move ahead of him this season.

I like Green but agree that there are a couple snapping at his heels.

So not injury prone as you said?

He was more effective in attack than Ellis last year and none of the other fringe players as well as Fash did are anywhere near him performance wise, Matongo has to improve 50% to get to greens level to replace him permanently.
That's not to say MM or any other forward won't get games in front of green or players won't get rested or dropped but I think I'll take Radford's decision on playing him pretty much every week he isn't injured over some one who won't admit he's very much an integral part of the team.
Needs to improve to keep getting games, lol, people have been saying that of him for ages and yet Radford keeps him in the XVII. Who is wrong?

Green is still miles ahead of both Fash and Matongo. Imo the improvement of him and Bowden in recent years has been almost as important to us in our transformation as the signings we have made.

His metres per carry are always one of the best in the side. His error count is exceptionally low and he is far more comfortable than those two when getting involved in passing moves. Disagree strongly with the assertion that he is very inconsistent. Anything to back that up? Fash arguably has a better workrate, but is far less effective than Green. Masi can't compete with him in any area yet.

Don't get me wrong I happy with how they are developing and in another year or two maybe they will have a case to be first choice. But not now.

You are wrong as I never said he was injury prone, that was someone else.

Nobody has said he isn't an integral part of the team, but if you go to games (rather than watch highlights and look at stats) you would see that Green is inconsistent and certainly not as good as Ellis is in attack.

But with the performances of Fash last year and in general our squad stronger due to Paea signing, then his place is certainly under threat.

It's a bit like Thompson a few season ago, he would have been in the 17 every week, but due to our standards improving and the young kids coming through, he struggled to make the 17 and then was released.

His injury could put his place in jeopardy, he has a big season ahead and must improve his consistency or he won't make the 17 IMO.

How can I back up he is inconsistent, can you back up he is consistent?

It's just an opinion.

Fully fit I'd have him in the 17, but there are players pushing him, I don't think Fash is far off him, don't forget Fash was put in Radford strongest 17 for last years play off semi.

Inconsistency just seems an odd thing to level at him. For me he is one of the more consistent in the team. You know what you are going to get. He won't rip a defence to pieces, but he always makes solid metres (better yards per carry than Watts last season for example), he rarely makes an error, even rarer that he concedes a penalty. He's just a very reliable player imo. He has some games better than others of course, but its rare he has a stinker, and when he is good he is very good.

I like Fash, but how often have you seen him have a really noticeable impact on a game? He doesn't look out of place in the first team, but he isn't yet an important member of it. Green is.

... agree 100%.

Chris Green is underrated by some Hull fans.I agree he is miles ahead of Fash.
Fash works very hard but has no noticeable impact on a game as you say and i agree with that.
His size also will work against him as a prop and whilst i see a big future for Masi cant say the same for Fash

I think the problem for Green is for his size we naturally expect more from him when taking the ball in. The only slight criticism I have with him is that is where he lacks a bit of aggression in the collision for such a big lad. Other than that he has the odd brain fart but then name a player that doesn't.
He stepped up along with Bowden and became a solid member of the 17 and he will need to up his game again with the younger players that are now hungry for first team action. That for me is is key as Paea has indicated that they all need to be on top of their game as one poor game could see any of them fall out the 17, there are simply no guarantees on the team sheet which is a great position for the club & Radford to be in.

Thats how it should be players playing for position.
Even Griffin has stepped up in pre season and i can see him taking the left wing slot from Talanoa sooner than later.

I know you aren't Talanoa's biggest fan but he is imo a very important player for us, especially the way we play. Churns up the ground, loads of quick play the balls, loads of penalties won, good finisher and an aerial threat to boot. One of the top wingers in the league imo. Just lacks serious pace.

Griffin will get plenty of game time but I can't see him making a position his own. I think if any of the 3/4s get injured he will be first choice replacement (be that centre or wing) and he might get the odd game in the back row.

Griffin definitely brings something to the table. What he doesn't have for me is Talanoa's engine (typified by the last play at Wembley in 2017

)