[Chris71]

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:37 pm  

The Hollywood Frasier wrote:

Is it just me getting déjà vu with Balmforth potentially falling behind a makeshift 9 like what happened to Litten with Washbrook & Hadley playing 9 ahead of him.

You're not alone in that feeling, and I hope Balmforth isn't going to suffer the same fate.

Like I say I'd like to think that it will be Houghton/Balmforth/Smith with Cator available as an option should the need arise due to injury/suspension. If the likes of Walker, Hoy, Brown, Houghton, Balmforth, Smith all remain fit in the most part then I don't really see a place or need for Cator in the 17 (certainly not as an interchange 9) and that's before Trueman makes it back to full fitness.

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:45 pm  

Only time you could use Cator, would be to replace Houghton as starting hooker, no way should he play hooker off the bench.

I'd still wouldn't have him there, I'd have him 5th choice hooker within our squad.

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:51 pm  

Dave K. wrote: Only time you could use Cator, would be to replace Houghton as starting hooker, no way should he play hooker off the bench. I'd still wouldn't have him there, I'd have him 5th choice hooker within our squad. https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ll-8972883 Reading this makes it sound like he's going to be covering for when Houghton goes off in the season...also interesting that radders originally signed him to cover the hooking role

Dave K. wrote: Only time you could use Cator, would be to replace Houghton as starting hooker, no way should he play hooker off the bench. I'd still wouldn't have him there, I'd have him 5th choice hooker within our squad. https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ll-8972883 Reading this makes it sound like he's going to be covering for when Houghton goes off in the season...also interesting that radders originally signed him to cover the hooking role

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:45 pm  

We'll get a better idea as the season goes on but I'm sure Balmforth is well thought of and will get his chances.

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:57 pm  

Look at us all having a good old whinge. The season must be starting soon

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:10 pm  

mwindass wrote:

Look at us all having a good old whinge. The season must be starting soon

We'll all be optimistic on Sunday after trouncing Doncaster....

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:36 pm  

There’s a lot of worry here but smiths made it pretty clear Balmforth isn’t playing because of his shoulder.

It’s a preseason friendly that balmforth isn’t available for. I’d like to think/hope it’s just smith tinkering for the eventuality we lose Houghton/balmforth or both.

Smith isn’t Radders and actively wants his sides to play with the ball, I can’t imagine him wanting poorer delivery from the PTB

[Chris71]

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:28 pm  

mwindass wrote:

Look at us all having a good old whinge. The season must be starting soon

We all know we are world beaters when we win and sack of doo doo when we lose so at least consistency is never lacking

Got to say after the past 4 plus demoralising seasons and eternal hope of a new dawn each season and it failing to appear I am going in to this season with a fairly open mind follow the number of changes to the squad.

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 4:04 pm  

Wasn't going to go on Sunday. But I'm edging to go and have a look. I'm pretty excited TBH but in fairness I am most pre seasons

Re: Pre-season. : Fri Jan 19, 2024 5:47 pm  

mwindass wrote:

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

People say about lack of attacking threat

But Houghton has never been a real attacking threat

Name me a hooker who can't tackle....

And I wouldn't play cator at all