For mine, Danny Houghton is the best defensive hooker in SL..

Offensively, he needs a bit more coaching, on his vision,decision-making,distribution & variation of plays.

IF.. we had someone like James Webster on the coaching staff, who maybe could improve Houghton in these areas,he would be in the top 3 British hookers ,however Lee Radford is content that Danny Houghton does not need to improve in the distribution facet of his game.

Personally I rate Hodgson as the better hooker, as Hodgson offers more in attack, also in my opinion Hodgson has improved markedly,as Houghton's progression has stalled.

Where will we finish? , I predict no higher than 6th... our squad has excellent calibre of players, but until we improve our attack as a team, 10 yards from the opposition's tryline,is still a major issue.

IF..we could address the attack issue, we could launch a major challenge, but I dont see it- unfortunately..

1.Leeds
2.Wigan.
3.St Helens
4.Huddersfield
5.Warrington
6,Castleford
7.Hull FC
8.Catalans
9.Salford
10.Wakefield
11.Hull KR
12.Widnes

I feel privileged that you deign to pour scorn on my opinion. I thought that you saved this for everyone else. I think you may be in for a disappointment if we finish in the top four.

I think I'd be doing cartwheels but I'll take my opinion over yours so don't think there's much chance

Rshould be top 6 easily with the pack and if the backs can finish off the chances,Hooker is still a concern as no back up and Houghtons offensive distrubution is left wanting sometimes,defensively he is superb but nowhere near England standard,Roby,Hodgson,Mcllorum,Clarke and Burrows are considerably better.

You'll be branded a heretic for that

My opinion on Houghton is that his work rate is unbelievable. Second to no one in world rugby. He is also a very good dummy half runner and has a strong (and very much underused) kicking game. His distribution is average, he's pretty accurate but often slow. His tackling is strong, but the fact he isn't the biggest guy definitely means teams target him to get over him and find a quick ptb. To this end it would benefit us to try and keep him out of the firing line more often in defence imo. I feel this would help his attack too.

So in short, a good hooker who I am glad plays for us. Probably the 4th or 5th best English hooker. I would just like us to have someone to spell him with who can compliment his abilities.

Houghton is the most over rated player in Super League. Hull have been inept in the opposition 25 for three years and it starts with his inability at dummy half. Part of the problem rather than part of the solution.

I often wonder if some come on here just to be controversial or just to make sure everyone knows they know f all about Rugby

Yeah it's really weird how people think players like Houghton or even Sean O'Loughlin are over rated but that's the beauty of a forum, for having debate. I've always rated Houghton, as do my mates in Yorkshire who support Leeds/cas/Fev etc.

If leeds had signed him (God forbid) then I expect many people would come out the woodwork and say how marvellous he is!

He was mentioned as a possible signing on the Leeds board prior to us signing Falloon. Quite a few thought his distribution wouldn't be up to scratch. Then again, some may just have been parroting views they'd read on here, I suppose.