Re: Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC : Wed Feb 10, 2016 9:58 am  

Mild mannered Janitor wrote:

It's not a case of not wanting to win, but the realism that going away to Catalans is a tough place to go. A win would be fantastic but it's far from an expectation. A defeat should not really impact on the early season optimism.

Sure cats are one of the hardest teams to beat at there own place but I think we have a great opportunity to grab the points, they had a hard slog in the mud at Wigan last week so not much chance to use set plays etc... were as we got more chance to bed the new plays in and with having a week off afterwards we can really go for it. Now that Sika has been past to play I would leave Ellis to the Cas game so he can build up more fitness as our bench was fantastic last week I wouldn't change it.

Re: Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC : Wed Feb 10, 2016 10:33 am  

http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-FC-charter-flight-Catalans-Dragons/story-28701961-detail/story.htmlAs a lot have said Catalans is a tough place to go and get a win. The first thing Radford said after the Salford game was about our poor record at Catalan and hopefully that will change on Saturday. To win on Saturday would not only give the players another lift but also the fans, keeping the feel good factor at the club and hopefully get another big crowd for the Cas game. AP has chartered a plane for the team to travel on Friday and come home straight after the game. Pearson is putting his money were his mouth is and know what an important season this is for Hull FC, trying to keep the same routine as any other away match. They have done all they can to prepare well for game and I think we can go their and win.

http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-FC-charter-flight-Catalans-Dragons/story-28701961-detail/story.htmlAs a lot have said Catalans is a tough place to go and get a win. The first thing Radford said after the Salford game was about our poor record at Catalan and hopefully that will change on Saturday. To win on Saturday would not only give the players another lift but also the fans, keeping the feel good factor at the club and hopefully get another big crowd for the Cas game. AP has chartered a plane for the team to travel on Friday and come home straight after the game. Pearson is putting his money were his mouth is and know what an important season this is for Hull FC, trying to keep the same routine as any other away match. They have done all they can to prepare well for game and I think we can go their and win.

Re: Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC : Wed Feb 10, 2016 10:43 am  

Its one of the tougher away trips of the season, but playing them in February with a bit of rain forecast is the ideal time to play them. I dont think they have anything in the backs to overly concern us. My only tweak to our usual game plan would be to send plenty of traffic in Carney's direction, if he has a quiet game we win imo. Win the forward battle and I think we will have a bit too much quality for them out wide, even without Fonua.

Re: Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC : Wed Feb 10, 2016 11:59 am  

Hello Hullites,Yes the Dragons are definitely much better at home,but we are vulnerable early on.Compared with last season we have made some improvements such as the long overdue removal of Escare for hopeless defensive play,and it looks as if Carney is now fit.However, we have lost our brilliant second row-Taia and Whitehead- and it remains to be seen how good their replacements are.Our Props are good ,but both Casty and Anderson are injured.
We made a lot of simple errors in the mud last week,but our defence looked significantly better -and our attack significantly worse-than last year.
The match was very close last year-as was the game at Hull- and either side could have won.My friend is an F.C. supporter and we shall watch the game on Tele.
Saturday will be the 10th anniversary of the Catalan entry to superleague and not even the most curmudgeony "heartlander" can deny that it has worked.

Re: Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC : Thu Feb 11, 2016 12:10 pm  

with fonua out looks like micheals might play,hes the safe option imo, but would have been nice to see how Lancaster would have gone

Re: Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC : Thu Feb 11, 2016 1:30 pm  

I dont think Fonua is a big loss tbh. I know many have lauded his signing but i never got it. He's like a younger and greener Lineham who may develop in time but isnt any where near atm. Michaels whilst not being a big powerhouse built a decent pairing with Logan last year and offers more all round as hes better with the high ball and in defense

Re: Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC : Thu Feb 11, 2016 2:07 pm  

Going out with a mate on Princess Ave, which pub in that area or Newland would you think would be best to watch the game, Atmosphere etc. Game clashes with a football game, so want to make sure that it is on and have the commentary on also?

Re: Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC : Thu Feb 11, 2016 2:52 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

Going out with a mate on Princess Ave, which pub in that area or Newland would you think would be best to watch the game, Atmosphere etc. Game clashes with a football game, so want to make sure that it is on and have the commentary on also?

Probably Pearsons for Rugby, if not , Botanic will definitely have it on down spring bank, or just sack princess/newland ave off and watch in New Clarence in town, HD Projectors, decent picture last time I was in, foods good to

Re: Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC : Thu Feb 11, 2016 3:22 pm  

Sebasteeno wrote:

I dont think Fonua is a big loss tbh. I know many have lauded his signing but i never got it. He's like a younger and greener Lineham who may develop in time but isnt any where near atm. Michaels whilst not being a big powerhouse built a decent pairing with Logan last year and offers more all round as hes better with the high ball and in defense

Couldn't disagree anymore. The difference of his returns and fast play of the balls against lineham is 10 fold. Made breaks or the forwards where powering forward against still moving back defensive lines or split markers every time. Also 2 games 2 tries is a decent start. But mostly it's just a shame having to break up new combos in the 2nd game in

Re: Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC : Thu Feb 11, 2016 3:26 pm  

airliebird,runninglate! wrote:

Couldn't disagree anymore. The difference of his returns and fast play of the balls against lineham is 10 fold. Made breaks or the forwards where powering forward against still moving back defensive lines or split markers every time. Also 2 games 2 tries is a decent start. But mostly it's just a shame having to break up new combos in the 2nd game in

I agree, much quicker into contact and got a quick play the ball or won a penalty (I counted 3 he won against Salford) due to his speed at wanting to get up. I also don't think Lineham would have had the mobility to get to the Houghton kick either