It was a hugely cathartic moment. But I imagine to Widnes fans it just looked like bad sportsmanship.

The thing with simulation now though is the amount of it - it feels like we’re well past the thin end of the wedge, and maybe even the point of no return, because it seems to work.

We did loads at the middle 8’s away game at Leigh too, and it showed we had learned a few lessons from 2016. Derek Beaumont saw it slightly different to me have to say.

Anyway back on topic. Our injury list appears to have been miraculously halved due to the intervention of the faith healer that is Gareth Westmorland. Everyone is apparently cured apart from Flash Flanagan.

On the flipside, Hull are so decimated that Radfords yet to be conceived grandchild is lined up to play half back. Our chances of avoiding humiliation are once again in tatters.

Obviously the HDM invariably goes with the Hull FC narrative nowadays. However, in fairness, after 429 consecutive derby defeats stretching back to 1754 (numbers are approximate), I suspect there’s an element of them just trying to drum up interest.

We’ve got to keep going up to August and the middle 8s now. The games until then still matter and it’ll hurt a little when we lose and it’ll be nice if we can pick up some more wins. They just don’t have any wider meaning, and to cope some degree of emotional disengagement is probably advisable.

That’s easier said than done when you are sat in a 3/4 empty stadium watching us take another beasting and all you have to amuse yourself is to add up how much the weekend just cost you.

Whenever I'm feeling down about the last couple of seasons I watch that documentary from the 90s in disbelief that our club was really in that bad of a state it makes me realise things aren't so bad after all on a side note I see Mrs B is going into overdrive on the injury front

Aye, I’m sure - and imagine being Hudgell and Crossland!

As NH said, the fun went out of it a while ago. Just about loyalty now. And that is easier for me, given my more limited time commitment, I readily admit. Think of me sunning myself in blissful ignorance as Hull run in their umpteenth try, won’t you?

I must say though, I just watched Sheens pre-match interview for the Wigan game, and I do prefer being responsible for my own expectation management. Used to start watching Sandercock’s thinking ‘with a fair wind, we’ve got half a chance’, and by its end ‘let’s just get it over with’. Other way round with Sheens.

Here’s to a better, or at very least more fun, future!

Have to agree with you there, I have a lot of respect for our management especially NH who I suspect was like a lot of fans but was fortunate to have been successful & had the chance to do something about it & many thanks to him. I suppose the reality & politics of the game take the glamour away from the dream. I am happy that we have Tim Sheens unlike the disaster Sandercock he has the team with him & is looking ahead as this squad with a couple of additions & all fit will be a different proposition next year. I only expect our team to do their best tomorrow! If that is not good enough then so be it. next week will be interesting for both clubs but we are in a different stage of development than the squad at FC who must feel cursed after the steady improvement over the last few seasons.

It’s amusing to a certain extent, but like a vintage comedy on Dave, you have heard all the punchlines before and know how it turns out in the end.

Crikey, Timely boosts, Cockle. Old posts dredged up from 12 years ago to score imaginary points. Same every Derby week. Work on the principle 4 or 5 of the supposed unavailable players will step out for both sides and you won't be far wrong.