Tend to agree with all this. Since his stint in the halves AH hasn't been up to the standards he set early in the season - a short break may do him some good and Houghton can do 80 minutes for a game or two. Horne on the bench also makes sense as he can cover the backs and hooker at a pinch if required.

Regarding the pops at Radford, I'd say if anything his selections show a distinct lack of sentiment. I think he wants to win games and he's prepared to do whatever it takes. The so-called inconsistencies with who gets dropped and for how long have largely been a result of injuries forcing his hand.

I'm not a Radford fan by any means but I can't see that he's done much wrong here.

I guess for me it depends on the manner of a defeat as to whether I feel the team selection needs criticising. As you say, we might still have lost without the changes. For example, my preference tomorrow is that Rankin and Miller stay in the halves but if Horne plays there he won't be the reason we lose. Houghton potentially playing the full 80 without been interchanged is something that may have more of an effect on the match though. By this I mean if it looks like Houghton is exhausted towards the end then there would certainly be a case to question the lack of an interchange hooker. As others have pointed out Azza's form has dropped so he might not make much difference in that scenario.

It's all ifs and buts. Lets hope we're not discussing them tomorrow night.

Is Azza in form??

Like to see 4 props rotating plus Thompson off the bench used up the middle for last 20 mins of each half.
I think Radford will bring Horne straight back in with Rankin on the bench.
if Tal anoa doesn't make it then expext Thompson to fill the wing spot with Hadley back into the 17.
I agree about Heremaia.lost the zip in his play.Danny Houghton made a lot of metres from acting half against Huddersfield whereas Azza for the last 2 games has not performed in attack.
Goal kicking worries me.Rich Whiting cant seem to kick anything unless its near the posts whereas Burns has emerged as a real good goal kicker and can also drop goals with ease.
Kicks could be crucial in this game.

I thnk a lot are just looking for something that isnt really there regarding Horney being back in the 17. He's still a class player and it is imperative we have someone who can cover most of the back line, especially the halves. It makes perfect sense for him to come into the 17 and start on the bench. Whether Azza is unlucky or not is open to debate but tactically it makes sense (to me).

Whether we like it or not and a lot don't want to seem to recognise this, we have 2 very young, inexperienced half backs. Add into this we are up against 2 extremely experienced half backs and in Burns someone who will have learnt a lot from last years derby experiences. It wouldnt be the biggest shock if the wheels came off for one of Rankin or Miller but as they deserve their starting spots, having Horney on the bench is right thing to do and Azza is the 'unlucky' one this time.

I meant dropping our current halfbacks who are in form.

Rankin & miller were good against Hudds but there kicking game was not that good..imo horneys kicking game as been better when he has played.

I still think Radders should use Horney from the bench as cover, just in case things are not going to plan, which I hope he does.

Think that will be the case..especially if they muller miller.

They didnt last season.

i did say if..

I'm all for dropping players who are out of form but we also need some consistency and when we have 2 games in 4 days playing houghton for 80 minutes in one of them isn't a great idea, particularly against a big pack who will go at him all game. Maybe he'll give houghton a game off on Monday

Tuson out -torn hamstring.

Hadley starting.

He'd been suffering with a tight hamstring since the Hudds game, sounds like he's tried to push it and it backfired. Shame is that, looked good against Hudds and we lack a bit of grunt on that side now.

FFS. Gutted for Tuson, I Just hope it's not too serious. Big chance for Hadley.

Hadley won't let FC down & he won't take a backward step.

Shame for Tuson and we will miss his graft. However if you had to choose one player to miss out it would probably be him, not set the world alight yet.

Move Ellis back to the left & put Hadley near Whiting, should be fine.

1 shaul
2 Colbon
3 whiting
4 Yeaman
5 Talanoa
6 rankin
7 miller
8 paea
9 houghton
10 Carvell
11 Ellis
12 Hadley
13 Westerman

14 watts
15 Bowden
16 Thompson
17 Horne

Hull team tonight: Shaul, Colbon, Whiting, Yeaman, Talanoa, Rankin, Miller, Paea, Houghton, Carvell, Ellis, Hadley, Westerman

Subs: Watts, Bowden, Thompson, Horne

Hadley can hold his own. I have no worries over him. And obviously as a Hull lad he knows what these Derbys mean and will be desperate to put in a good performance.
Shame there's no Feka.

And, no Heremaia.

No keating I see & all forwards on the bench for them.

whats Feka done wrong?