Re: Hull FC Match Thread - Saints 12 v 19 Hull FC : Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:27 am  

SaintsFan wrote:

I can't believe it's defensive issues because we're no better defensively when Dawson is on the pitch.

Not holding his position in defence I'm told.

Re: Hull FC Match Thread - Saints 12 v 19 Hull FC : Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:37 am  

St pete wrote:

I agree but why the hell go into the season with only one ball playing halfback in the first grade? It's bonkers.

I agree with this completely. But I also have to question whether there is a large enough pool of players available with enough quality to play at the highest level. Comes back to my argument of whether the game/player pool is too diluted.

Re: Hull FC Match Thread - Saints 12 v 19 Hull FC : Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:44 am  

BlackCape wrote:

I agree with this completely. But I also have to question whether there is a large enough pool of players available with enough quality to play at the highest level. Comes back to my argument of whether the game/player pool is too diluted.

To be honest mate, we had the same problem with the halves for about 3 seasons so it's no excuse really. We've had 3 years to put a proper halfback combo together and we've failed.

The pies lost lulu and finch in the same season and brought in Green and Smith. Wigan know you can't win pots with no halves.

Re: Hull FC Match Thread - Saints 12 v 19 Hull FC : Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:47 am  

St pete wrote:

To be honest mate, we had the same problem with the halves for about 3 seasons so it's no excuse really. We've had 3 years to put a proper halfback combo together and we've failed.

The pies lost lulu and finch in the same season and brought in Green and Smith. Wigan know you can't win pots with no halves.

And, when Smith/Green are injured, wi*an have youngsters able to step in and do an adequate job.

Re: Hull FC Match Thread - Saints 12 v 19 Hull FC : Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:01 am  

Th'ump wrote:

And, when Smith/Green are injured, wi*an have youngsters able to step in and do an adequate job.

Yes but it's rare both are out. If one is out, the other can dictate play. They have lockers to step in if need be as we have Wilkin but the fact they DO have two halves that can control the game is a massive difference.

Re: Hull FC Match Thread - Saints 12 v 19 Hull FC : Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:02 am  

Who have been our halves in the juniors since Gaskell was there? Why haven't we seen any come through to the first team?

Re: Hull FC Match Thread - Saints 12 v 19 Hull FC : Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:17 am  

But the issue is we have binned or loss all our best junior prospects bar Wheeler.

I'm still not sure on the thinking behind binning Gaskell last year for an average hooker.

Fine he was the big I am, but hell he could play when he wanted to. I think sometimes we need to be more practical than principled. We got rid of a player with attitude with no back up in place to cover him.

If we had Gaskell he may be a pain in the butt, but he would be vital at this time of year and it does not stop us looking for another player in the mean time.

As it is we are were we are and it's going to be a struggle, but it's all relative. We are struggling to stay top. Not to stay in the top 4 or top 8 or the league.

Re: Hull FC Match Thread - Saints 12 v 19 Hull FC : Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:27 am  

bewareshadows wrote:

I'm still not sure on the thinking behind binning Gaskell last year for an average hooker.

Given that Rush dropped him and Brown dropped him I'd say Rush and Brown didn't like him so that was that! The Bradford coach seems to be handling him ok just now. They're relegated but last week in one of the RL weeklies Gaskell was their MoM and from what I've seen of him on the highlights shows he can pull off some great passes, he's tackling his heart out at present (saved a try last week) and is kicking well. Maybe the 'big I am' was Rush and Brown, rather than Gaskell?

As it is we are were we are and it's going to be a struggle, but it's all relative. We are struggling to stay top. Not to stay in the top 4 or top 8 or the league.

I read somewhere that we'd guaranteed our top 8 spot.

I doubt we will make top 4. A couple of losses and with the top 4 being so close we'll soon be down the table.

Re: Hull FC Match Thread - Saints 12 v 19 Hull FC : Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:29 am  

SaintsFan wrote:

Given that Rush dropped him and Brown dropped him I'd say Rush and Brown didn't like him so that was that! The Bradford coach seems to be handling him ok just now. They're relegated but last week in one of the RL weeklies Gaskell was their MoM and from what I've seen of him on the highlights shows he can pull off some great passes, he's tackling his heart out at present (saved a try last week) and is kicking well. Maybe the 'big I am' was Rush and Brown, rather than Gaskell?

I read somewhere that we'd guaranteed our top 8 spot.

I doubt we will make top 4. A couple of losses and with the top 4 being so close we'll soon be down the table.

Think we can't finish out top 6

Re: Hull FC Match Thread - Saints 12 v 19 Hull FC : Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:37 am  

Pete's right , no halves = no pots.

We will finish this disappointing season with a whimper due to an inadequate squad .... again. How many years will we go without 2 recognised halfbacks before it finally sinks in. As has been stated people claiming 'there arnt any out there' should just look over the lump where they seem to have no problem replacing them