https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... rd-4870804 Good to hear that defence is a priority. Way too many points conceded last year so hoping we can get some systems working on the edges and tryline.

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... rd-4870804 Good to hear that defence is a priority. Way too many points conceded last year so hoping we can get some systems working on the edges and tryline.

Indeed and its also interesting to read the he is also implementing structures both in attack and defence and working on systems. I honesty cant remember when this was really mentioned during the Radford tenure and is something that the majority of us have noticed seemed to have been been lacking.

I always thought Radfords biggest problem was that he looked at the game too simplistically. He would talk alot about errors and effort and of course those are important but if you are poorly organised and not communicating well then no amount of effort will make up for that. Yet he rarely if ever talked about that. As a player he was a hard as nails workhorse and that was reflected in his style of coaching, but it meant the more nuanced parts of the game often got forgotten about. Hodgson seems to have a real eye for detail and a good understanding of different styles and systems. That's the biggest improvement I'm expecting to see this year.

Hopefully we get rid of the system of having a winger shoot in at the 2nd man in and leave the winger as the covering fullbacks responsibility when we are defending 10-30 yards from our own line.

Reynolds trained with the team today - still no sign of Connor https://twitter.com/hullfcofficial/stat ... 9600802816

Reynolds trained with the team today - still no sign of Connor https://twitter.com/hullfcofficial/stat ... 9600802816

Quote ="Sebasteeno"Reynolds trained with the team today - still no sign of Connor https://twitter.com/hullfcofficial/stat ... 9600802816'" Must admit he seems to be elusive as not featured in any of the photos posted so far but read quite a few bits from the club and HDM that said all players are there barring Shaul.

Quote ="Sebasteeno"Reynolds trained with the team today - still no sign of Connor https://twitter.com/hullfcofficial/stat ... 9600802816'" Must admit he seems to be elusive as not featured in any of the photos posted so far but read quite a few bits from the club and HDM that said all players are there barring Shaul.

Has he had an injury or a bit of surgery in the off season that means he might be working on his own on rehab rather than running about with the team? It seems unlikely that he would be in full training and not be seen in any pictures.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-le ... s-23325982 Nice reference to Ben McNamara's try on debut.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-le ... s-23325982 Nice reference to Ben McNamara's try on debut.

Connor definitely in preseason judging by Josh Reynolds comments ‘ “Adam Swift has been tearing shreds off me about my clothes – him and Jake Connor have been a dynamic duo ganging up on me, but the new guy has to cop it here and there!’

[url=https://www.hullfc.com/blog/2021/01/14/reynolds-reflects-on-positive-opening-week/full story here[/url

That's good news, was a little concerned he has in no pictures.

Interesting to see Wynne has been training as a winger, could be a really smart short term move.

Agree as Wynne has speed to burn and could prove a huge asset on the edges. Sounds like Hodgson is getting everyone to buy in to his plan too.

Can’t wait to see them get going even if only on tv

https://www.hullfc.com/blog/2021/01/16/ ... ynodwigdMY Hodgson also provided an update on Jake Connor, adding: “Jake has had a bit of an issue with the back of his leg with some swelling. “We’re just monitoring him a little bit at the moment in these early stages of pre-season but I’ve got no doubt that by the middle of next week, he’ll be back out on the training field.”

https://www.hullfc.com/blog/2021/01/16/ ... ynodwigdMY Hodgson also provided an update on Jake Connor, adding: “Jake has had a bit of an issue with the back of his leg with some swelling. “We’re just monitoring him a little bit at the moment in these early stages of pre-season but I’ve got no doubt that by the middle of next week, he’ll be back out on the training field.”

Where does it say about Wynne?

Could be a god move and the making of him. Explosive player. Similar to Ratu in when he gets space he's gone, see that try against Rovers

Quote ="Rocknrolla69er"Where does it say about Wynne? Could be a god move and the making of him. Explosive player. Similar to Ratu in when he gets space he's gone, see that try against Rovers'" https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... fe-4890170

Quote ="Rocknrolla69er"Where does it say about Wynne? Could be a god move and the making of him. Explosive player. Similar to Ratu in when he gets space he's gone, see that try against Rovers'" https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... fe-4890170

Connor has been given the number 1 squad number, and with Shaul back mid season too it is probably wise for Wynne to try to earn a place on the wing. He is good enough.

agree could be used short term, but think his main speed is over 20/30 m dont see him as a speed merchant but could do a job if needed,

I agree
not fast over 90 metres but like a lot of short step runners quick over the first 20/30 meters
What Wynne does have is a great step.

Season end either we sell Connor or put him back to centre or Wynne is going to be wasted fighting for a wing position! The problem was the stupid three year deal for Fonua that Radford gave him, that ties down not just a significant amount of cap space for two more years, but means just like last year we have too many centres at the club.

Shifting Griffin to SR is going to be interesting, not sure he's the right stuff for 2nd row but hope he can prove he is. yes he can pass and has pace but can he tackle/do the graft, it's the only way out to free up the positions for centre yet again and releasing Jones means Griffin will get game time but it's not ideal is it having four headline centres at the club and pushing two of them into positions that aren't where they are most effective. Putting Connor at FB is just shuffling around, if Shaul wasn't injured long term we'd be looking at having three players for one spot again.

I'd rather have seen Wynne getting a shot at cementing the FB spot for this season and going forward with us releasing Shaul or using him as a utility back/ interchange scoot merch at 9, Johnstone is the clubs current best no.9 future regards the DH position at the moment but Houghton still has another 2 years, another error in judgement and the usual club Hull misplaced 'loyalty'
.
Still think centre is Connor's best position by far, not overly impressed with him at FB in all honesty, yes he adds something over Shaul in some regards but his lack of pace and defensive qualities don't outweigh any attacking advantage for me.

And yet one never knows how things will pan out, Connor might be a revelation, Wynne gets a go at wing and replaces Fairamo for next year, Griffin turns out to be a Liam Farrell type and Fonua learns how to defend ...



Just hope we improve and get the fans appetite whetted for when we are able to get back to watch live.

I like many was wanting to see Wynne play last year but when he did he wasnt great tbh. Hes still a way off being a first choice full back - going to wing could be the making of him

I too think Connors best position is in the centres but is lack of pace is evident there just like when he plays full back. But if we play him like Catalan play Sam Tomkins then he'll hopefully be more involved which can only be a good thing for our attack

With regards Houghton i think too many where quick to right him off but hes still a quality player when used correctly and for me is still better than JJ

Not saying Houghton is no good but we've brought about a bit of complacency IMO by handing out longer contracts for players that wouldn't get a gig elsewhere or for same money. Whichever way you see regards DH v JJ, Houghton isn't the future and we need to be looking forward regards what we do interchange wise. Flogging Houghton for 80 minutes has not, IMO benefited him, team results/the club, we need to be looking within the ranks for a future DH replacement to combine with Johnstone if he is to be the starting hooker. Handing out longer contracts for players toward the end of their careers or in scenarios were everyone/team is underperforming, is a sentiment we cannot afford, clubs like Wigan rarely ever do this, nor should we.
This isn't just about DH, it's about how we sign off contracts full stop.

Difference is Seb that Tomkins still has pace compared to Connor.
I too think Connors best position is at centre and he is the best player we currently have taking a high crossfield kick or batting it back to a teammate

I think Danny Houghton showed us later last season that he still has a role to play and in my opinion is still the clubs number one at 9.
I like Johnstone but he doesnt run enough and he lacks that speed from acting half which is so important now.
Still think Shaul would make a real impact at nine with his pace from acting half

Am happy to have Houghton around. Gives us cover and gives us a option of the bench. But atm I believe Johnston is our starting hooker. He isn't no slouch and IMO has a better rugby brain. Also wouldn't have Houghton as capt. Sneyd for capt

I did put that up as a potential role for Shaul but it's rather limiting, if Reynolds adds to our attack overall along with BH game plan, then we absolutely need a FB that can follow up his breaks, that isn't Connor, but Shaul and indeed Wynne is more likely to be the types to follow up breaks that we hope Reynolds has been making in NRL

It would have been interesting to see how Shaul might have gone under BH as he's basically had a premature intro to first team due to SM injury and subsequent departure and then had 6.5 years under Radford who has not adjusted Shaul's play in any way shape or form. I don't mind Shaul as a FB, his on the goal line defence is a bit weak and his ability in the line when attacking in the 20 is also limited but the rest I'm okay with. Time with BH to give Shaul a chance to change some habits/be a better player from pre season I would have liked to see, but then we have a FB already in Wynne, yes he's not the finished article, neither was Shaul when he got his chance, but Hodgson was a top FB himself and he's been acknowledged by others as being able to improve their game, so why not give Wynne the chance? But the whole Connor, Fonua, Griffin, Carlos situation is forcing matters as to who plays where as it has done for a while now.

All il say is 7 assists in 2 games from Connor at Fullback, and fans are nit picking lol