Re: Pre-season. : Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:43 pm  

Houghtons head drops like a brick in times of struggle , not someone I'd have picked personally but with the lack of other suitable candidates , I can see why he's been given the job .

Re: Pre-season. : Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:53 pm  

hull2524 wrote:

Surprised at both the appointments. But as I often say we don't know what's said behind closed doors. More surprised with fash as might not even be in the 17 to start with . But the proof is in the pudding let's see how it goes

Fash will be LF i reckon

Re: Pre-season. : Thu Jan 18, 2024 4:34 pm  

Quite surprised at the captaincy decision. Houghton didn't really stand out in the role in 2021 although to be fair we had the strange three captains policy.

There isn't really a clear alternative though I guess.

Re: Pre-season. : Thu Jan 18, 2024 5:12 pm  

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ng-9042415 Think the biggest thing in this is no Houghton or Balmforth this Sunday. Guess Morgan Smith will start at 9. I'd give Tex and Brown the first half together Trueman to start running later this month.

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ng-9042415 Think the biggest thing in this is no Houghton or Balmforth this Sunday. Guess Morgan Smith will start at 9. I'd give Tex and Brown the first half together Trueman to start running later this month.

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 5:59 am  

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ll-9044084 All 9 new signings to play at Doncaster. Cator to get a stint at 9. The wording sounds as though he'll start. Not a fan of this

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ll-9044084 All 9 new signings to play at Doncaster. Cator to get a stint at 9. The wording sounds as though he'll start. Not a fan of this

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 6:56 am  

mwindass wrote:

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/tony-smith-play-nine-hull-9044084

All 9 new signings to play at Doncaster.

Cator to get a stint at 9. The wording sounds as though he'll start. Not a fan of this

Stupid decision, why bother signing Morgan Smith if Cator is to be the backup 9?

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 7:16 am  

Guess Smith is more thought of as cover for halfbacks.

Just hope Cator isn't be thought of as the bench hooker, got to be Balmforth (get the feeling Smith isn't his biggest fan though)

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 7:46 am  

Not that I've seen him play there but if Cator is moved to 9 I don't see where our threat from acting half comes from.

Defensively he'll be fine, but how quick and accurate is his passing game?

I'd prefer us to use Morgan Smith or Balmforth instead

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 7:56 am  

Dave K. wrote:

Guess Smith is more thought of as cover for halfbacks.

Just hope Cator isn't be thought of as the bench hooker, got to be Balmforth (get the feeling Smith isn't his biggest fan though)

I feel the same way about Smith and Balmforth. He can never seem to just give him praise without then continuing to say he has a lot of negatives to his game aswell, although I do appreciate Smith wants him to improve and it could just be his way of keeping him grounded.

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:00 am  

I think it makes sense for Morgan Smith to be more focused in the halves, that is his preferred position I believe? We also have options at 9, where I reckon Cator and Hodgson could spell on Sunday, with Smith maybe helping out if needed.

Can’t say I’ve ever seen Cator at 9 so I’ll withhold from judgement, I suppose this is what friendlies are for to try these things out.