If Houghton is fit I'd play him at loose forward and keep Brown at hooker. Save moving people around and Mint is better there than our usual 13s and we can keep our props at prop where we need props propping.

Ok so if we think some players are unfit. Which ones after watching the first 3 matches do we think are ?

I'm not so sure on if our players are unfit, I had heard during pre season that players stats where much higher on the season previous (even those who had come from other clubs). What I would say however is that there is a couple points to notice:

1) - Our use of the bench, we played pretty much with 15 men on Sunday (no offence to Charles) and towards the end of the game it showed. Sloppy errors in both attack and defence crept into our game particularly from our forwards. This has been a common theme at Hull for a while, I cant recall another team leaving 1-2 players unused on the bench. Ligi Sao, for as much stick as he cops, goes regularly through 80 minutes of graft and never shy's away from carrying the ball in. His efforts are huge but its no coincidence to me that a lot of his errors come in the final thirds of a game.

2) - Following from the above, the sloppy errors lead to having to make more tackles, as mentioned we have the top tackler in the league in Lane, it has never been a positive stat for me. More defending = More fatigue.

I wouldn't say our players are unfit, I would say we need to be smarter to help preserving the players energy levels.

I believe it's the first time Tony Smith has left an unused sub on the bench for Hull FC.

Brett Hodgson did it FIVE times in 2021 and three times in 2022. Aiden Burrell was unused once in each season. He left Ben McNamara on the bench at Magic in 2021.

Its baffling selections and square pegs in round holes , even with injurys and bans

To me I dont see that as all the coach, the players have to own them mistakes. I hardly doubt these are problems that are being ignored and in some regards problems that existed long before Smith.

I do feel like the negetivity in the stands doesnt help, we are entitled to our opinion and they have to react better to it. I cant help but feel they is massive confidence issues where players are too scared to do something different or outragous incase it doesnt come off. Its a theory I have but momentum and confidence is a big thing in our sport.

I didnt expect this season to be great, if we can see slow improvements and some youngsters coming in then we have the base to move forward. What isnt needed is paying every man and his dog off and throwing new players at it. With no relegation for us I kinda see it as an opportunity to grow some youngsters and hit the market next year with no covid loans to repay. If we are still in this boat next season then id say Smith has nowhere to hide, for now im happy to go along with it.