Re: A very short list : Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:07 pm  

Wildmoggy wrote:

One player i'm hoping does come good is Chris Green. The odd game I've thought he looked like a better version of Keegan Hirst, but mostly he looked unfit, not quite there, when he actually played which wasn't often enough. I know a lot of Hull fans rate him, so i'm hoping he does actually show something, and doesn't just become another Ian Kirke.........

I thought Green looked superb when he joined us on loan at the end of 2019, best available prop we had at that point. I agree however that he was definitely one of the players who appeared post-Covid in less than tip-top condition. There may be very good reasons for this, I know he'd picked up a training injury at the start of the season. Whatever, he's a much better player than he showed last year. Abit like Tangata, only 11 games with the club all played under difficult circumstances, another one with a clean slate in my book.

Re: A very short list : Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:23 pm  

Certainly an odd year with so few incomings but it was stated several times that we’d be going with what we had and giving the young players a chance.

In terms of making the best of what we’ve got then Chris Green I would hope to see more from this year. For whatever reason his contribution wasn’t great last year but had shown there was more to offer in 2019. Can’t expect Aydin to step up and play a full season just yet.

Re: A very short list : Thu Jan 21, 2021 7:31 am  

What i hope for from Mason Lino is to bring a bit of composure to the team. Someone that can hold a ball up and time a good pass, and with a decent kicking game. I dont mind if he is not like Brough in his pomp, but would be happy if he can bring to the team what Liam Finn managed to do in the twilight of his career.

Re: A very short list : Thu Jan 21, 2021 9:28 am  

captaincaveman wrote:

What i hope for from Mason Lino is to bring a bit of composure to the team. Someone that can hold a ball up and time a good pass, and with a decent kicking game. I dont mind if he is not like Brough in his pomp, but would be happy if he can bring to the team what Liam Finn managed to do in the twilight of his career.

I reckon he will be somewhere in between, let's just hope that people don't expect too much too soon.

Re: A very short list : Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:22 am  

vastman wrote:

I reckon he will be somewhere in between, let's just hope that people don't expect too much too soon.

Now you are "hoping" there aren't you Vasty.....

[PopTart]

Re: A very short list : Thu Jan 21, 2021 1:20 pm  

As important as Mason Lino is to the team, I think come back of the likes of Fifita, Ashurst, Tupou to their pre-covid form is as important. If we have everyone playing at their best, with Lino pulling the strings we are a competitive side.
If its just left to Lino, we'll be right where we were before with a battered scrum half.

Re: A very short list : Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:21 pm  

PopTart wrote:

As important as Mason Lino is to the team, I think come back of the likes of Fifita, Ashurst, Tupou to their pre-covid form is as important. If we have everyone playing at their best, with Lino pulling the strings we are a competitive side.
If its just left to Lino, we'll be right where we were before with a battered scrum half.

It shouldn't just be Lino, I fully expect that responsibility to be shared with Miller and other game-breakers like Fifita and Jowitt. Sadly for whatever reason Hampshire didn't seem to be able to steer the team around the park, he's a hugely talented player but if it's not in your nature then it's something that just can't be manufactured. Hampshire can now totally concentrate on the off the cuff broken play, where I think he is our best proponent.

I was pleased with the emergence of B Walker, despite not having the obvious gifts of Rocky (not suggesting he isn't a skilful player in his own right) he does seem to have that gift of composure and an ability to communicate with his teammates. He should offer a challenge this year, most notably to Miller. I can easily see a situation where we end up with a partnership of Lino/Walker if things go a certain way.

My formula would be either Miller/Lino or Miller/Walker or Lino/Walker as the main combo but with Hampshire always on the bench. I'd sacrifice one of the hookers for that, using Crowther to give him a break, then using one or the other Wood on a game by game basis. I just think Hampshire on the bench could cover so many positions and add so much pep when we get stale.

Hope that makes sense, was losing track myself