Well, after all the practise, this is a real game with real consequences.
If we are serious about our prospects only a win will do.
OK the Crusaders are the holders and are a decent side.
They have done OK in their friendlies, but did not excel last time out, but neither did we.

They have come here in the past and made us look silly and of course made us look silly last season.
So we owe them.

We have got to win simples as .....
I ain't gonna buy excuses , every club has injury problems.

Honest predictions?
COYD

I'm going to plump for 24-16 to us. It'll might be a bit like the Leeds game early on but I have a feeling we might just sneak it.

It is a big game for us because it will set the tone for the rest of the season, or for the next few games at least. If we get thumped, we'll be back down to earth with a bump, if we win well, we'll be dreaming of what might be for the rest of the season.

Looking forward to it!

Whilst I don't think it's a must win game, I think it will give us more of an idea about our squad and how we will go, much more than any friendly will. For what it's worth I think we will win.

I honestly believe that after the first 15 minute arm wrestle we'll run a mock and win comfortable

Hull veteran centre Kirk Yeaman and young star Jordan Abdul 6 or 13 set to play for you this weekend on D/R

is there a cash gate on sunday?

There will be cash gates all season

Dons -10 generally on the handicap betting.

Dons 35 NWC 28.
We're gonna win the cup!
More later.

A win is a win in any cup game, but there is a lot for Garry and his coaches to work on. Not least is getting up in the opposition faces when they have the ball, we hung back far too much and allowed them to make all the playing. Also discipline, discipline, discipline; gave away far too much field position through silly penalties.
I guess some will have a go at the referee, but IMHO I didn't think he had too bad a game, he made less mistakes than we missed tackles.
Hope Liam W is OK, he seemed to be carrying a shoulder knock for a large chunk of the game.
I will let others comment on the merits of the DR players, but it was good to see Abdul back at the Keepmoat.

For me, we only won that game thanks to the Hull players.
Penalties conceded are killing us!
Sort it Thornton.

Home v London Skolars in the next round.

We played badly and won.

Were N Wales a fair side? I thought they played quite well. Did they play well because they are a fair side, or did they play well because we let them? Not sure. Only time will tell.

Agree with GrahamD, our discipline was terrible. We should never be giving penalties away for backchat or for late tackles on kickers.

In defence, our left side looked very fragile especially in the first half. In attack, we were taking the ball standing still far too often.

Our defensive line speed was awful at times. We gave N Wales far too much time and room. In contrast, they put us under a lot more pressure.

I'm getting seriously worried about our kicking deficiencies. We need a goal-kicker badly. Our kicks to touch weren't good enough. We even tapped the ball without kicking to touch when we got some penalties which really defies belief. I know it was a difficult day for kicking but even so we saw similar issues in the friendlies. If we don't sort it, it'll cost us.

There were some positives. The forwards looked strong. Brad Foster and Mason Tonks worked hard. Liam Welham put in a good stint as always and Louis Sheriff gave 100% in everything he did.

The Hull lads did give us a helping hand and we may not have been good enough without them. There's plenty to work on.

On balance, I suppose I came away from the game slightly disappointed but it is still early days and the lads probably need more time to get to know each other.

The attendance was disappointing too. Was it 530?

Did we attend different games? Because I thought both welhams played absolutely dreadful!

How did Abdull, Yeaman and Feka do?

Yeaman looked disinterested and we conceded a lot of yards down his side. Abdul and Paleasina (sp?) did well

I only mentioned one Welham but I thought both did okay. I wouldn't have picked either out for criticism, to be honest.

Stability is what is needed and that will come barring injuries.
I thought privet had a good game.
We need more leadership. The farce of the kick-offs in the first half being a case in point.
The fragility of the flanks in the first half being another.
It didn't look like we were learning anything from our mistakes.

We sorted it better in the second half.
But we need to be reactive on the pitch to what is going wrong.
And adapt quickly..

im with Jemmo,i think Yeaman hardly broke sweat.backed off a couple of times when they were attacking,he looked like he didnt want to be there.i thought Abdul and Paleasina had good games.pleased over all but need to stop the penalties

There ought to be, if there isn't already, a penalty system for penalties.
Sort the loonies out Thornton!

But we won!
COYD

Close game,closer than it should have been, poor defending at times and in attack lost our way In some good positions, though crusaders fought well. As for the Hull players, I also thought yeaman looked disinterested, which is a shame because he can be very effective, and I would question the wisdom of playing him in front of our players to be honest. Abdull, seems, to me at least, to have a lazy style of play, but he is a very good player, I like him. Feka did what Feka does, very effective and bags of effort, great to watch.

DR not working for me, Yeaman wasn't bothered just looking in stand and waving most of 2nd half.
We may have played better with all our own players in as they've been together training longer.

Yeah Abdull is an on player, doesn't seem to do much, but what he does is effective

Depends on which way the Coach see's it. If you are offered a bit of extra quality and the Hull lads put a shift in I think we should always consider it. If on the other hand someone with a half decent reputation turns up and does jack all then surely it is down to the Coach to consider it but then say, "You know what, your attitude sucked during your previous game for us, thanks but no thanks"

Now whether that it too much of a simplistic view I'm not sure but if it helps us this Season to get back to where we want to be and its right for both ourselves and Hull FC then crack on.

Weird one Yeaman, as for all his criticism he has got from the Hull fans the last few years, effort has never been in question, he always works hard and puts a good shift in. Maybe his heart isn't in it or feels he is too good for you (Which is totally the wrong attitude). It's a shame as even at his age, he should be doing some real damage in that league. Maybe your coach will give him another chance this week and see how he goes.

Good to see Abdul and Feka doing well.

The link up between the two clubs seems to be back on track, 5/6 of your fringe players, played for our reserves against Wakey last week in a friendly.