Drop Evalds and we lose another talented youngster to another club, be absolutely ridiculous if he gets dropped for O'Brien

Looking at the Salford FB they were responding to a question asked and said that all the players who will be playing in the re aranged fixture on Sunday against Crusaders won't feature against Hull. So O'brien it is then.

I take your point but would you want to keep anyone whose attitude was that flaky??

As much as I like Niall and want him to fulfil the promise he has shown in the last few years he still has a lot to learn (his positional sense at times is way off). I saw enough in the Wigan game to agree with JGR that O'Brien will be picked to start the match on Friday.

Yes,I suggested on here last week that I thought they might go with O'Brien,and it was met with incredulity.
I'm an Evalds fan and would definitely go that route.
You can hardly blame him if he's hacked off when not picked.
It's difficult to see what more he could have done last season.
Having said all that Sheens has no axe to grind so he'll do what he thinks best and that's OK by me

Hull team likely to be close to this:

Jamie Shaul
Mahe Fonua
Jack Logan
Carlos Tuimavave
Fetuli Talanoa/Steve Michaels
Leon Pryce
Mark Sneyd
Scott Taylor
Danny Houghton
Liam Watts
Mark Minichiello
Sika Manu
Jordan Thompson

Frank Pritchard
Josh Bowden
Chris Green/Feka
Danny Washbrook

Drop Niall at out peril, i watched the Wigan game also.

And my take on O'Brien is, he is more of a half than a fullback, good scooting around the pack, awareness of other players around him.

But seemed to be lacking something as a fullback, didn't stand back and watch the game, as a good fullback shud do and cover all the back line , if u watched Niall when he came on, he was 20yds behind the salford defence covering the across the field and shouting at the defence.

Niall for me is a far better fullback , with O'Brien as a good cover..

If Niall is dropped the agents will be round like fly's round u no what, and before we know it another youngster stolen from under us. Same as we lost young Theo to agents and x coaches.

I for one are looking forward to see how Lannon progresses over the coming season.

A couple of things looking at Hull's pack we have problems as they are massive compared to ours hence we should be doing everything to find a big prop to come in even at this late stage, I hope they are still looking to try and sort this coz some of our props aint big enough (looking at our props compared to Hull's and its frightening!). A prop on loan from somewhere else perhaps if Haggerty isn't up to scratch - surprised we didn't sort this unless we are planning to play down the flanks?. I wouldn't drop Evalds whatsoever unless injured and I can't see where O'Brien fits in except the halves, but can he play in the hooking role to get some extra guile around the pack, don't know if he ever has (whats his pace like for a quick scoot?) Lastly whats with Luke Frixou (looked great on video!, listed as a centre/2nd row but no squad number? Cheers boys, happy to be corrected at any point with a smile!icon_smile.gif

red in buxton, you say that (and I am a big Niall fan too and think he should also start) BUT he was at fault for Manfredi's try vs Wigan.

Reading the Hull forum sounds like we don't need to bother turning up and that there going to win by 40. Talk is all about there massive pack and how we're going to get dominated and smashed! something's never change

The competition for places will be key to any success we may have.

Sheens has said that we no longer have any idiots in the squad. (His own words) so I think that Niall will be keen to try and cement his place. This can only be a positive thing, hopefully bringing out the best in our players. I'm sure Niall will buckle-down and come back better.

I can't honestly believe what I read on this forum at times, Evalds was our best back last season and will be a superb player.

O'Brien isn't a Full Back end of, if Evalds gets dropped for him then it's same old Salford I'm afraid, shooting themselves in the foot.

In the relation to the need for a 'big prop' I do think that these big blockbusting props will not do as well with this new interchange rules in place. Small mobile props capable of big minutes is what will be useful.

Quite a few on the Salford post which runs for 13 pages