How people can look at a team like this (plus the others that have missed out, Leeds loanees Kibula etc) and think we’ll finish 6th. The mind boggles

3/4th for me personally

Depends if we lose a halfback. If not then 3rd is definitely achievable.

1. Elliot Hall
2. Matty Dawson-Jones
3. Rhys Evans
4. Kieran Gill
5. Ryan Millar
6. Declan Patton
7. Jordan Lilley
8. Steve Crossley
9. Thomas Doyle
10. Anthony Walker
11. Brad England
12. Sam Scott
13. Jordan Baldwinson

14. George Flanagan
15. Ebon Scurr
16. Ben Evans
17. Samy Kibula

Probably because we will very rarely, if ever, be able to actually name that as our 17 on a match day. We'll always have injuries and our squad depth is poor.
I also don't rate Patton one bit.

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In defence of Patton I read an article this week that he has never played as first choice Halfback for a lengthy period of time. He had offers from SL clubs but wanted to prove himself as first choice. I say we give him a chance.

That's an interesting take. You can certainly look past number 17 and think if we were to put a side out with 5 or 6 of these of these lads how would we fair. Kibula, Hall, Jowett, Ho, Wallace could literally be anything. I can see the reasons for optimism as the squad is bigger numbers wise and the backline revamped but I don't see enough tempo/running/pace either at the ruck or on the edge. If the loans/dual reg don't materialise in the form of 1/2/3 players available throughout the season, 4th/5th for me.

I don't get the negativity on Patton. He's 26, he needs us and there's not a half in the comp who's had close to his career.

Heard on Sunday that Jamie Shaul and Josh Bowden are the 2 players available on dual reg probably for the start of the season. Squad numbers 29 and 22 for Hull FC this should help with our chances.

I would be wary of Shaul. Wasn't it York where he was on DR as an up and coming youngster for Hull, and he notoriously didn't run all game. If he had that attitude where he hadn't done anything in the game yet, what will he be like now he's an established SL player?

Hampshire still not sorted. I still expect him to end up at Leigh though.

I dont think Jordan Johnstone will get much game time at Hull.

We've signed Lovodua and have Houghton still. He's currently 3rd choice hooker for us now. We tried to move him and Bowden in the off season, but no one bit.

We won’t need Jordan Johnston if we have Doyle, Flanagan, Johnson. Bowden however could be a very good addition in the Championship!