Tackles in a season by Danny Houghton. Smashes his own SL record, and wins the SL Hitman award for the 3rd time in 5 years.

That is some statistic, by any stretch. Regardless of what some may think of his passing ability, his fitness and commitment are on a different level.

Firstly I will say well done and it's always nice to see one of our players pick up personal awards.

I don't think anyone questions his endurance and work rate but i think people, myself included, are starting to think this is more of a hinderance than a positive. I feel we were a better team for having Azza coming off the bench and was hoping/thought that Cunningham was going to do that but it looks like Washbrook may be doing that (from what I've heard though may be bull)

Aside from Houghton and Roby are there any other hookers that play the full 80?

That's a great achievement but he has the "advantage" of playing just about every minute of every game of the season. Being flogged every week must have a detrimental effect on the attacking side of his game.

Basics tactic to run at him

Perfect summary of why he has made so many tackles.

If you know the opposition hooker is going to play 80 mins, you make him work overtime in defence to the detriment of his attacking qualities. Remember Danny isn't known for his passing ability but does have a great scoot from dummy half. How many times do you see that in the last 20 mins of a game, when it should be the most effective.

It's very obvious were Danny's faults lie and I'm afraid while not the only player to blame, I have lost count of the number of games this season that have been close going in to the last 20 were the opposition play percentage rugby and close games out. While FC get more and more raged with slow and wayard ball from dummy half which sets the tone of unstructured and sloppy play.

As much as I commend him for making that many tackles in a season its actually stupid that he is in a position to have to make so many.

Danny is a very good tackler, no worries about commitment/endeavour but the coach has been flogging him and our performances spiral in part due to that. Cunningham seemed to show up quite well in the limited time he got, why the hell wasn't he played/retained and at least give DH a break ffs!

Simple he wasn't good enough. He hardly played hooker for Broncos.
We can't afford the luxury of two top class hookers in the same team. You have to have a good utility player who can give Danny a rest. Washbrook? AN Other??

I'd rather we signed a top class hooker and spelled him with houghton.

Did you even watch him in the games he played this year, he was plenty good enough as a back up hooker and was getting some praise even on here. JC was cheap and could spell Houghton but clearly you think flogging DH all season was the way to go (& the detrimental effect it has on him and the team!) as opposed to using JC whom had proven he was okay in the role. If you think DW is going to be a better option you need to give your head a bang.

How many teams have a top class hooker to come off the bench?

I'm not suggesting we play the top class hooker I want us to sign off the bench

Yes I did and he was adequate but not super league class and not what we needed. Think the fact he never got signed by another super league club confirms what I thought. Believe me I want every academy lad who breaks through to make it all the way ,sadly a lot don't. He is one of them.

You say he was cheap. I say for us to be a top four side we need better quality and a good utility player who can not only spell Danny but stay on and be used spell other players as well.

I meant Washbrook? to mean maybe that is why they've signed him. Did it for Wakefield. AN Other? someone else possibly in the future.
I don't think Washbrook is the answer and I believe he is a stop gap until the right kind of player comes along.

As regards Danny it shows how hard he works for the team and may he continue to but by being spelled from the bench with a quality player but not another quality hooker.
How many other teams have a quality hooker on the bench.?

As regards giving my head a bang I have been doing for the last few seasons watching the same stupid mistakes being made by the same players. I believe Lee is at last bringing in some quality to improve that situation.

Don't be so quick to jump on people. I have my opinion you have yours. They are different. Get over it and accept that's how it is.
63 years a supporter I've seen it all believe me.

One thing we have in common is that we are passionate about our team and only want it to be the best.

The top tackler award to me simply says that we've been defending FAR too much, usually as a result of poor ball handling/retention. I've no doubt that Danny is a workhorse, but I'd rather we were at the top of the meters gained/try scorer table.

Actually, as a club we are only 9th in the most tackles list. Leeds, Wigan, Saints, Hudds, Wire all made more tackles than us.

We are 2nd in the metres made, only Leeds are higher.

2nd in tackle busts behind Leeds

2nd highest number of carries behind Leeds

3rd in the clean breaks list behind Wigan and Leeds

3rd highest average gain behind Saints and Wire

Our problem was converting chances in to tries.

Our problem was creating chances in the first place