It’s certainly a dilemma and one coaches have to face up to, damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Are the young lads fit? How long before McNamara’s back? I can understand the coach going for experience but as you say, Reynolds is shot and a very poor signing in my opinion. He shouldn’t be pulling on the shirt again. Gale’s another matter, we know there’s a player in there but brain farts have scuppered his season so far, then there’s the matter of wether the club are starving him of appearances, so he can’t trigger an extension, thought Cas fans had paid for those already!! I’ll get my coat.
The problem now is with Brad Fash missing and we don’t know how long for, his injury was described as a really bad concussion, I hope he’s ok and good to go but if not I’d like to see Lovodua at loose man and Lane into second row. Unfortunately that means, Reynolds and Gale at halves, damned if you do, damned if you don’t

McNamara still out, Hookem and Litten both fit have played in the reserves and for Whitehaven.

I just don't see what we have to lose by playing either of these in front of Reynolds, if Reyolds continues to play we won't finish in the top 6 IMO, could either of these two do any worst.

No it isn’t.

Percival was in direct opposition to Mackintosh, who scored 2 tries!

Now I wouldn’t dream of trying to say Mackintosh totally outplayed Percival but for me Percival had one of his least effective games for Saints against us for some years. He’s usually been good for a try or two against us? So I don’t understand why you would claim a player in a different position totally outplayed one of our players?

Agree with everything you say there.

Only worry would be that when these young players make mistakes, and they are bound too, we have certain fans who will crucify them and write them off before their careers have got going.

Still I would plan for the future and play them as much as possible and let them gain experience and learn from the mistakes.

More or less spot on. IMO would like to see hookem in the halfs with Gale. Lovado at loose man.

Only way to find out is to give them a chance.

Thewlis is about the same age as Hookem and Litten and played nearly 30 games.

At a similar age Mikey Lewis and Lewis Dodd where starting to play first team.

We have to start trusting in our youth and this is ate only chancery start competing IMO.

Have to say Dave I pretty much agree with what youve said. What I find difficult to understand with the halfs particularly in regards to Hookem at the end of last season BH himself said he had been very surprised at how good Hookem was and in hindsight should have played him more. Yet this season we are pretty garbage in the halves with our 2 main so called stars. Yet no sign of Hookem instead we persist in playing a guy we brought in to play at 9 to spell Houghton in the halves.

Its time as a club we put faith in the young players and gave them an opportunity as the likes of St's. Wigan, Leeds have always done. Yes it may not always come off but it can't be any worse than the total lack of creativity we have at 6 & 7 with Reynolds and Gale not helped by their stupidity in bans.

Its a shame McNamara is injured as in all honesty he seemed to be far more affective with linking up with Connor and creating more than Reyonlds and Gale.

Its time to give Hookem an opportunity and play Lovodua in the position he was signed to play.

Gale will definitely start against Wigan but i agree he shouldnt play Reynolds.That said Hodgson is too loyal to certain players and needs to be more ruthless in selection especially when it comes to senior players.
I doubt that he will play Hookem although i would like to see the lad given the chance of a full game.The answer would be to move Connor back to six and either Shaul or Litten to full back but he seems too stubborn to move Connor.
Swift needs to come in and i would keep Wynne at left centre but again even though Griffin was poor at Saints can see him replacing Wynne.
If Mitch is fit another alternative if we move Connor to six would be McIntosh to full back and Mitch to the wing.

We all have opinions but the problem on here is the gang culture and with respect you are one of them who love to gang up on certain posters because you dont agree with something said.
Talentboy has his opinions, a bit strong on Houghton but then again there have been many on here who have criticised Houghton previously and keep saying we need a nine who can quicken the play the ball and make breaks from dummy half rather than just a tackle machine.
He does however have a point about Connor and whilst he his a great ball player its evident now that his lack of pace,poor defence and the inability to be able to back up line breaks like most full backs now do far outweigh Connors positive at linking in the attacking line.
When looking at fast full backs like French,Field,Evalds and Tomkins they are always there to back up line breaks and use their pace to make their own line breaks, so this is an area in my opinion the club must make a priority after signing Trueman.
A Connor/Trueman halfback combination could work but Hodgson seems to very stubborn about leaving Connor at Full back and i think this would be a mistake for next season as we really need some pace injecting into the team.

I can understand if Hookem was deemed not quite ready after a layoff, but then you see Griffin and Taylor blowing out their booty after no reserve games...........

Put Hookem in with Gale to help him, and get Lovodua in at Hooker.
Swift back in for Shaul
Mitch in for Griffin until he's fit.
Evans in for Taylor until he's fit or will run onto the ball properly.