Here we go again.

It's the best squad in the comp overall for me but the front row is weak which may end up being our downfall. Way too many outside backs and some of that cash should have been spent on another quality prop. Other team have better individual players but I dont see anyone with a better squad than us

Well, there are 4 bigger clubs than us, so I imagine they will all be demanding success too. And quite rightly so.

The only person demanding success is the club owner from what I've seen and he has every right to

The squad makes me optimistic
Last years squad made me optimistic

What I’m interested in is how the new players will go

Playing as a team can take a few seasons for the real
Team Bonds to form

Bonds are formed through adversity which is why signing
7 new players can mean there’s a time expected before they
really gel

It may be next season we see the fruits

This season for me is finishing 6th and a CC semi final

There's going to be a lot of poorly Hull fans when the "jam tomorrow" arrives.

We haven't passed a ball yet, lets at least have 10 games of hope!

Hope and expectation are 2 different things. Personally I'm excited and hopeful for this season. I've heard enough dissection of our head coach's shortcomings over an extended time period on here to realise high expectations would be ill-advised.

I’m hopeful of a good season with the recruitment that was done and the addition of Purtill to the coaching set up. As JTP has said the squad AP has given us is probably one of the best squads in SL. We are though one experienced/quality prop short I feel but that said we still have a squad to rival the big 4 imo.

The pressure is certainly on to perform and hit the heights they should be capable of reaching and don’t think AP will settle for anything less than a huge improvement on the past two seasons.

So you only think you read and now cannot find said tweet



Despite our opposing views there may be larger clubs in terms of gates or revenue but this season thanks to Adam we are competing financially on the field with the squad we have assembled.
Saints aside there is no better assembled squad then ours this season, putting your prop argument aside, even you must concede that.

Top 4 is a must with this team and the financial backing it has received, not only from most fans but our owner too.

If you want to argue against that and set your bar low again go and discuss it with Adam and see what he things to your hypothesis.

In my opinion we are in the mix for the top two
Would liked to have seen Ligi Sao at 13 but looks likely now he will be played in the front row.
One concern for me is that Radford is looking to find a spot for Jake Connor rather than playing players in their best positions.
Kelly should be our starting 6 even if it means leaving Connor out or a place on the bench but given the heavy grounds in winter i would rather have Griffin on the bench.

Kelly definitely best 6 we have. It's nice to have quality throughout the back line, nice headache selection have.
For me Connor is a starting centre, too good to leave out.

I enjoyed your use of bold, so will reply in kind.

I've checked. Rugby League World predicts us finishing 6th. I don't think it's as funny as you do, but I do think it's a fair appraisal from an independent perspective and understand their rationale. I follow a lot of people on social media, so scrolling back is a bit of a chore, but I was right.

Look, you can't tell me what I must and mustn't "concede", so please don't be so imperious. I'm not in the market for being "persuaded" by you in this fashion. You seem happy to sweep the front row issue under the carpet, which is your prerogative, but Taylor apart I don't think our props are Top 4 calibre. I suspect RLW don't either.

"Top 4 is a must". Not for me it isn't. Adam will have his own ambitions and perspectives, of course, and his are infinitely more important than mine (although not really to you it seems as a scan through your recent posting history shows a very high proportion of posts with the intention of directly or indirectly belittling my honestly held and moderate opinions). I don't feel I need to address him directly in this regard - what would I say exactly? "Hi Adam, decent recruitment, hopeful and excited for the season ahead, lots of stuff we can't legislate for as ever, but I'll back the team regardless as I've done for 30 years. Crack on and let's see what happens. Cheers." I mean, what is he meant to do with that?



We can continue this as long as you like. You getting cross and telling me what I should/shouldn't/can/can't think or say. Me listening and explaining why I disagree. But it's quite repetitive. Less entitlement, more enjoying the journey serves me very well. Honestly, I've never been more chipper.

For me, as is stands at the moment, Connor wouldn't get into my starting 13.
Griffin gives 100% for 80 minutes, as does Carlos, and then there's Fonua, so who starts at centre next week is going to disappoint someone.
Maybe not playing Faraimo is the easiest option.
Kelly at 6 is a must as far as I'm concerned.

I agree, but would be harsh to leave Faraimo out based on pre season. Griffin and Kelly must play.

You're probably right, but I suspect some players will be less happy not being picked than others.

Well they need to justify selection then..

Connor Griffin centres, Carlos im sorry but back up. Wings Fonua and Naulago, Swift & Faraimo back up, Kelly and Sneyd Halfs - thats your back line

Also need to remember the Hurrell factor, if he's allowed to have good game they'll probably win.

Last year we won both games, not sure who our centres were.

I seem to remember Carlos looking after Hurrell pretty well at home last season

Certainly. As WIZEB points out, Leeds are favourites at a ground that's been a truly disastrous venue for us over the last decade or so.

I cannot see Connor as a regular centre (although I think it is his best position)
Any injury to Kelly or Sneyd (which is usually quite often) and Connor will cover. So Connor on the bench imho and probably the same for Griffin

See the usual suspects getting the excuses in for a defeat already. Think we’ll do a job on a pretty mediocre Leeds team, us by 12

For me , Connor has to be in the 13 , kelly 6 . Best in the league in that position. Wigan top , hull top 3 !

Its a big headache for Radford but what i dont like is trying to find a starting position for Connor and giving him the 6 shirt when we have in Kelly one of the best halfs in Super league.
Fonua is a beast at centre and will play and to be honest on present form both Tuimavave and Griffin are ahead of Connor for the other centre position.
it would have been even harder if Swift had played some pre season games because Radford would no doubt have played Swift in front of Faraimo.
I just wonder if there is a slight doubt with Shaul that he could play Connor then at full back.
I would go Ratu,Fonua,Tuimavave (for his defence) Faraimo with Josh Griffin on the bench to cover front row and backs.
It wouldnt surprise me to see Radford bottle it and start Connor at 6 with Albo on the bench which really doesnt help either player.

Don't think that is bottling it, in fact it may turn out to be the best policy.
Kelly fit and on form is our best player but no way can he maintain that all season playing 80 minutes. He plays very physical for a half back both attack and defence, is not so young any more and it takes its tole. He needs managing - what's the point him being great for 3 weeks then struggling for a while after or being injured.
So think it would work well to take him out of firing line first 20-30 mins and then unleash him. Worked great last year on the two occasions we did it.

Then gives option of moving Connor to centre or Griffin to do a spell at second row. Both our second rowers do big minutes so might be wasteful to have a second row on the bench. So having Griffin when needed to give them a break seems good.