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Quote: no fear "For once there seems to be a fair amount of unity in so far as considering the abilities, or perhaps more accurately shortcomings, of the players (and to some degree the coach).

Since our bubble burst in 2015 when Grix failed to deal with the kick through for Ryan Hall to score, we have had one cracking season (2022), the second half of which was even blighted by injuries and ended in a whimper.

What did we have two years ago? An out and out hooker with speed an, ability to commit defenders by running out of dummy half and firing out a quality pass.

What have we now at 9? A hooker/loose forward who strengthens our defence in the middle but poses so few questions of the opposition. Or a utility player with heaps of enthusiasm but sometimes erratic distribution. Or a fullback/ halfback. Or our only out and out hooker, brought from Roosters system, who can't get in ahead of the aforementioned players. Nobody, it seems, who can do what Levi could; I appreciate what Milner and particularly Golding bring to the side, but it's what they don't bring that is the issue. Perhaps instead of hookers we should rename our 9s escorts...

Jamie Jones Buchanan has made a list of his top 5 hookers in the league - all of them can get moving out of dummy half. Seriousaboutrl.com (not everyone's cup of tea, granted) have submitted a separate list and it will come as a surprise to nobody that none of our hookers/ semi-hookers are included in either list.

With speed (feet and passing) at 9 we were able to increase pressure on the opposition and ask questions of them. Without it, at least as I see it, the limitations of Russell are further exposed. An over-used platitude in football commentary is that a player has not performed to his own high standards. Prior to HKR I thought Russell had played well this season - for his own standards. Unfortunately those standards aren't, in my eyes, sufficiently high enough for the level we - at least we in the stands - aspire to reach. How I wish they were...

We could talk about his non-jump for their try, his utterly-infuriating attempt to tackle by holding the opponent's head with two hands, but the issue is he has no speed of movement and little creativity. This should come as no revelation, but we persist with him. I won't fault his work effort, I just don't feel that he offers enough to be first choice.

Connor has been knocked for his lack of pace but he can create something out of nothing. And with him, Clune (I'm not criticizing him; he's looked useful other than last week) and Russell it is fair to say we aren't blessed with out and out pace. Combined with the lack of speed coming away from acting half back, it is understandable why, as some have said, we are too predictable.

It would be remiss not to comment on the forwards' contributions this season too. The positives

You may well find this hard to believe but there are still some people besides Mr Watson who think Russel is a decent Super league level half. I haven't been down yet this season and it's not looking likely i'll be going any time soon.
Iv'e always though K Davy deserves some sort of recognition for what he has done for the Giants but as it has already been said there is little enthusiasm for Rugby league in Huddersfield and when you watch the side perform it is very easy to understand why, They are never going to get the crowds of the top clubs but they are capable of decent crowds ( as was shown in the days of Nathan brown) but i just don't believe there's any chance of that with Mr Watsons style of football and i don't think he has any other style, I think he is floundering very badly with the big squad he has assembled .
The most mystifying thing to me is why Mr Davy continues to keep going, There obviously has to be a reason but it escapes me, I would say if ever a man deserved some success it is him but i just don't think he is going to get any, Here we are on year 4 i believe of Mr Watsons, tenure with more new players, ever more of Mr Davy's money spent and so far this season ( early i know ) looking no better than last season which was bl***dy awful. Unless another N Brown can be found from somewhere it's going to be the same depressing drudgery and decline, I desperately wish it was different, I'm well into my eighties and my first game was in 1953 i don't know how many more seasons 'ill be able to support but there will have to be big changes before ever go again i think.