Post subject: Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR
Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 11:33 am
Chris71
Moderator
Joined: Jan 30 2004 Posts: 8152 Location: Never never land away with the fairies
Think we will likely see Walker at FB with Hoy in the halves alongside Brown, though I wouldn't rule out a Smith/Brown halfback pairing. We still look weak in terms of second row options, Lane has been disappointing for the last 2 seasons at least and just can't see him improving enough to warrant being in a SL 17, which means we would need Ashworth or Sao & Ockunbor in at 11 & 12. LF is another area where we lack any real genuine threat so possibly Smith/Hoy in the halves with Brown at 13 could be an option though unlikely.
A few permutations
Hoy/Walker Martin Carlos Sutcliffe McIntosh Smith/Hoy Brown/Smith Ese'ese Houghton Sao/Ashworth Ockunbor Ashworth/Sao Cator/Fash/Brown
Pele Fash/Cator Brown J Scott/Smith
Difficult to predict a 17 with such a high turnover of players and lack of games to base our first team selection of the season
I really enjoy long walks especially when they are taken by people I don't like!
Post subject: Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR
Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 12:18 pm
Ellam
Club Owner
Joined: Jan 30 2004 Posts: 4383 Location: Posh Bransholme
The Cooke Report wrote:Walker v HIKU Mac V EVALDS Tuime V GILDART Sutcliffe V OPACIC Martin V HALL Hoy V MIKEY LEWIS Smith V MAY Ese V KING Houghton V PARCELL Pele V WHITBREAD Oku V BATCHELOR Ashworth V TANGINOA F Brown V MINICHELLA Subs Sao V SUE Fash V LITTEN Brown V HADLEY Scott V AYDIN/FISHWICH OR TENNISON
Martin and Hall both on left wing so opposite sides. Martin will be up against Evalds
Always the Optimist never the Pessimist. Glass Half full not half empty man me.
Post subject: Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR
Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 12:24 pm
Ellam
Club Owner
Joined: Jan 30 2004 Posts: 4383 Location: Posh Bransholme
I actually prefer Ligi in 2nd row or loose man alongside Okunbur. Stronger than last years IMO, Don't see why people keep putting Brown 13 he will play 7 or 9. Team depending on fitness of Smith, Carlos and Scott toss of a coin. Walker Macintosh Carlos/Scott Sutcliffe Martin Hoy Brown Pele Houghton Ashworth Sao Okunbur Fash Subs Scott Smith/Cator Brown Ese'ese
Always the Optimist never the Pessimist. Glass Half full not half empty man me.
Post subject: Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR
Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 6:59 pm
hull2524
Player Coach
Joined: May 06 2009 Posts: 7375
bonaire wrote:As usual Rovers will score first early in probably a tight first half Second half similar to Wigan where their fitness and pace will take over
You may be right. But come on don't be such a defeatist before we start. Let's at least give the lads a chance. You never know they might surprise you
once a black and white always a black and white COYH
Post subject: Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR
Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 8:39 pm
bonaire
International Star
Joined: Apr 04 2014 Posts: 7769
hull2524 wrote:You may be right. But come on don't be such a defeatist before we start. Let's at least give the lads a chance. You never know they might surprise you
Wishing ang hoping just like you but in reality just cant see where our points will come from unless HKR make some glaring errors near their line or throw a couple of interception passes. It would take a near error free display from us and near perfect discipline so that we dont run out of gas having to defend more than we should to make a full 80 minute game of it
Post subject: Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR
Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 8:41 pm
BP1
Player Coach
Joined: Sep 04 2005 Posts: 1092 Location: In the land of wishful thinking once more. Patiently waiting for our time to finally arrive.
Fairly obvious I know, but a win next Thursday would be a real tonic for the troops!
It's always nice to get a win first game, and doubly so when it's a derby, but more importantly from our perspective a win would put some energy into the fanbase which, as we all know, isn't feeling exactly optimistic about the months to come. If we lose this game, then take a bit of a pasting at Wire the following week (although it's anyone's guess how Wire will go under Burgess) we run the danger of everyone feeling the season's almost gone by the time we've arrived at week 3!
Smith has a number of crucial decisions to make, that's for sure. Does he put all the big guns in the pack to start with and knock rovers out of kilter from the off? but that runs the risk of our level dropping alarmingly once we start interchanging. In the halves, I suspect he'll go with Hoy/Brown and Walker at FB, not convinced it's ideal but likely to be what he settles on.
It's always difficult to predict opening games, there's no real form guide to go by, but think we need the win more than them for the reasons stated above. A defeat for rovers isn't going to derail their campaign, but for us it will probably increase the downbeat air surrounding us, so I'm hoping that might give us an extra push, especially if it's a close game.
I've been going to derbies since the 70s and I've watched too many where beforehand it has seemed so obviously slanted towards one of the sides only for it to go completely the other way on the day, so who knows really? Let the fun commence, eh!!
I've been on the internet and have already got a sense of the fans' passion for the club. They are very fanatical - Peter Gentle 12th September 2011.
Money doesn't talk it swears, Obscenity who really cares, Propaganda all is phony.
I'm the son and heir of a shyness which is criminally vulgar.
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way.
A man who lives in hell can still aspire to heaven.
Post subject: Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR
Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 8:46 pm
Mr. Zucchini Head
Player Coach
Joined: Jan 08 2006 Posts: 12097
My team, which I imagine will be different to the one Smith picks.
Walker MacIntosh Tuimavave Sutcliffe Martin Hoy F Brown Ese'ese Houghton Fash Ashworth Okunbor Sao
J Brown Pele Scott Smith
Well balanced, big, and gives us options to mix things up if things aren't working or we need a spark. 1-17 on paper Rovers look better, but I think we can beat them down the middle, and in early season games that is generally where its won and lost.
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