You might be proven correct should injuries strike and the young lads don't quite make the step up, but the fall back is that we should still have a chunk of cap space available should we need to go out and sign another forward.

Granted it's slim pickings mid season, but there are always options, and sometimes pretty goods ones too as we saw with Fifita at Wakey & Segeyaro at Leeds last year.

Thompson is only a year older than Hadley, and bar far the most promising of our fringe players, the odd moment? are you serious, not near our 17, think that's seriously harsh, If you was talking about Hadley, id agree

I agree, I rate Thompson and would rather him in the 17 than Hadley.

For me I think they are decent honest squad players but its not an easy choice between Thompson & Hadley as they are both different types of players. Hadley is reliable and will carry out the coaches plan and will do the hard yards all day long. Thompson for me is abit of an enigma, he can be either pretty good or anonimous, he has good speed, good footwork and can create space for himself but can also be unreliable at times.

with Hadley you get reliability & Thompson either good or unreliable so it all depends on what we need in a game but Thomspon although not as reliable does offer more than Hadley so its bit of a catch 22 in someways.

I think both will need to up their game to get a shout in the 17 next season.

If we're going to be successful beyond a year or two we need some of these younger players to come through and play regularly so maybe we need to accept that we maybe take a short term hit for the longer term gain. We probably have 4 or 5 forwards who have the potential to come through and be first team regs and if 2 or 3 do then we will be in a good position going forward

For me, Hadley has proved his worth over the last couple of seasons, 2016 in particular. With the likes of Ellis, Mini etc likely to retire in the near future we need to promote players internally where possible. Hadley has shown he can be effective and consistent, and is still relatively young. For me, the potential and progression he has shown so far, if he keeps going the way he is he could very well be one of the first names on the team sheet in a few years time, and a key part of our pack (hopefully alongside Watts, Taylor and Houghton).

On the general recruitment being done comment, I'm now happy where we are. I think we have strength in depth and a set of talented youngsters champing at the bit to get their chance. I've said it before but I'd love to see a Hull FC v Hull FC u23s match, potentially as part of a family day in pre-season. Making that an annual thing would be a great way to see how the youth are coming on, and allow them to test themselves against the first team. You'd need to draft a few players in from the COHA, but it would be excellent to see how good our squad is/can become.

I also agree.

Both have a mistake in them but Thompson has a bit of pace and footwork that means he can make a break.

Hadley is the more reliable defender but I would still prefer to see Thompson in the side before him more often than not.

Thompson was a utility back originally when we signed him, doesn't get a lot of game time often coming on only in the second half. I think he needs more minutes to get into a game
It's too easy to say X hasn't done this or that but look at Abdul, gets thrown in and expected to perform to a top 4 SL standard when he's hardly had any game time. Started a grand total of 7 games for us with sub twice. Yes he should have being fitter but asking a young half to come into and be expected to play to X std when it's been 15 days since your last game with Fev in championship is failing to understand how players need time in matches to improve and get settled.
I think using the forwards more wisely than last year is essential for us to progress, that and Kelly to have a stellar season.

Totally agree good post