Hull are an indifferent team, in barely indifferent form. But they're not dreadful, despite the prevailing doom and gloom. They lack a bit of x-factor, but from the little I've seen and heard of them this year, they're pretty dogged and they certainly don't give up many points.

Rovers are showing some promising signs, and it feels like we're heading in the right direction. The mood is different, but we're only a couple of points ahead of them in the table, ateotd.

They'll be desperate to start climbing the table, and if they can make it attritional early on, it'll be tough. It's great to have some 'gadget plays' in our locker, but until we get another prop in, it does feel a bit like we're relying on them.

CC made reference that we/he didn't need any additional motivation this week largely due to negative media comments and Barrie Mac's comments "tap and pass team" .. and we wanted to show everyone we're not. Well, I think we achieved that. Our commitment in defence was first class. Every facet we've lacked was there on Friday. Line speed, aggression, numbers in the tackle, successful one on one tackling = good team defence. Phil Clarke said something like this policy was 'only a short term solution etc'. To some extent I agree, we need to turn up week in week out, with this attitude. The worst thing we can do is start to believe our own hype. We need to battle and work our socks off to get anything out of games. The St Helens game can act as a benchmark to what we can do, and one we should be looking to try and replicate each week starting on Thurs ...

In theory the derby shouldn't need any additional motivation .. but after last year's debacle, who knows? Hull FC represent no bigger threat than that of the other lesser SL sides we've travelled to so far and have come away with nothing. So another substandard away performance and we'll likely be nil and four away from home.

Has anyone ordered tickets off Groupon, I have for a couple of mates and they haven't arrived yet, anyone else having issues?

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Be honest, you've only said that to cheer us up.

Dave

I spoke to Groupon on Friday as I am waiting for mine. They referred me to the RFL. I spoke to them on Friday and they blamed FC for the delay saying they had not sending them the tickets. They said they were getting them either Saturday or Monday and they should be posted out Monday evening. I queried what would happen if the did not show up by Thursday and the RFL said to contact them if they don't turn up.

Thank you.

They received tickets today and will be sending them out today

Again thanks.

Back on topic, I think it will either be close Hull win or an easy Rovers win.

We look better at home (As you do), but if you put the ball out wide, i think you will have too much skill and pace for us, our only chance of victory is to keep it tight and in the forwards (Which is a boring style at the moment) and take our limited chances. If you can defend well and can an equal amount of ball (Or slightly less) you will win.

Unfortunately for me, I can only see a Rovers easy victory.

Fair assessment and that is how Widnes beat us, we need to be smart and keep out of the forward battle as we did on Friday. If we take Friday's attitude in then we should win but HKR away have been a very different side from HKR at home.

To be honest I thought your forwards gave a really account of themselves on Friday. I know the backs take all the plaudits but credit where its due.

hope for a good game in the one and only true derby

Liking all the decent chat on these forums at the moment, long may it continue.

Obviously, if Hull win the Derby it will be back to what it was.... ☺

I'd be stunned if Rovers didn't win this derby given the one up, flat attacking rugby we're playing at the moment.

Rovers will be buoyant after their win against Saints and I think the confidence will carry into Thursday.

Obviously hope that I'm wrong!!

I think Rovers will want it more, it seems Radford has made us complacent, we just seem to think all we need to do is turn up. I hope it's a great game and the side that play best win, nothing controversial from the officials.

I agree our forwards did a great job but it never was a forward slugfest, we moved the ball and let the centres make the yards. We won't win a war of attrition and we need to make it a game of pace, Lunt has been a great signing as it certainly allows us to win more yards around the ptb

Well said. It makes a very pleasant change to some of rubbish that passes for conversation.

I feel we missed a chance at widnes to start building momentum and confidence and get the 1st away win of the season but with hard work against saints we get a second bite at the cherry to really kick start our season a win at hull and hopefully keep our home form going against hudds will put us at the right end of the table, I just hope we don't flap our lines again

A very eloquent and reasoned response good sir.

I will be back to change that line if you win on Thursday you black and white barsteward

[urlhttp://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/8216-Hull-FC-8217-S-Leon-Pryce-Hull-KR-8217-s/story-26255195-detail/story.html[/url

All the talk locally is of Rovers being favourites. It's an attempt to shift pressure off a team that loves to pile pressure on it's coach. Rovers are 0 from 3 away from home this season, and look like going into the game with 2 props again. How does that equate to favourites? Answer is, it doesn't.

Meanwhile, the bookies have Hull as favourites.
[urlhttp://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-league/handicaps-coupon[/url

Both sets of fans only seem to remember their last game, so Rovers fans are on top on the world, while many of ours are on suicide watch. I still think you are slight favorites because of your backs, it depends if we can draw you into a forward battle and stop you getting it out wide, we have to really hammer (fairly) you halfbacks early on. If Dixon is FB, really need to test him early, making sure our chase is good, as he is dangerous in broken field.

Biggest disappointment is that you don't seem to have a bad guy previously it has been Newton or Burns and I really thought Bailey would fit that role, maybe come Friday night their will be a new villain.

We don't really have villains, it's just that your lot bring out the worst in people.

There's only really Ben Cockayne who would fit that mould..

Anyway, I like Dave K, my favourite Hull poster.

Forgot about Cockayne, but for all his things off the pitch, he just doesn't seem to have that side to him on the pitch that we got with Newton and Burns.

Squad's out:

14 Mitch Allgood
6 Maurice Blair
17 Greg Burke
23 Terry Campese
2 Ben Cockayne
1 Kieran Dixon
15 James Donaldson
3 Darrell Goulding
12 Graeme Horne
7 Albert Kelly
11 Kevin Larroyer
31 Shaun Lunt
4 Josh Mantellato
13 Tyrone McCarthy
21 Aaron Ollett
18 Liam Salter
5 Ken Sio
8 Adam Walker
19 Kris Welham

Dixon or Cockayne @ fb?

Imagine we'll go with Dixon and Cockayne spelling Lunt/others.
Should sort itself really, Salter/Ollett missing out.