bit surprised that there isn't a thread on the game yet. on paper we should go into this as heavy favourites, saints have lost their last 2 games to teams expected to be in the bottom four, whilst we found our attacking shapes last week albeit with the help of a second string huddersfield team. of course our defence has been pretty much spot on all season. saints - well it appears that cunningham's pre season plans revolved around matty smith, given the lack of direction that the likes of wilkin, fages and roby are currently giving them. smiths injury was unfortunate but was arguably the one player they couldn't afford to lose. i watched their last game and whilst they were woeful for the first half, they picked up their game for a while after half time but couldn't sustain this for more than 20 minutes or so. however with a flea in their ears after the last game, the likelyhood of a few changes and better weather forecast we might see a different saints team this weekend. despite these caveats though, cunningham is still in charge so if we turn up and play better than we did against catalan the points will be ours. kelly to enjoy himself, houghton to get things moving forward and shaul hopefully to click into gear. hull by 14. Squads out soon.

Hull squad:
1. Jamie Shaul
2. Mahe Fonua
3. Carlos Tuimavave
4. Josh Griffin
5. Fetuli Talanoa
6. Albert Kelly
7. Marc Sneyd
8. Scott Taylor
9. Danny Houghton
12. Mark Minichiello
13. Gareth Ellis
14. Jake Connor
15. Chris Green
16. Jordan Thompson
17. Danny Washbrook
19. Steve Michaels
21. Sika Manu
22. Josh Bowden
29. Masi Matongo

Would expect Michaels and Matongo to drop out of that.

St Helens squad: Tommy Makinson, Ryan Morgan, Mark Percival, Adam Swift, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Roby,
Kyle Amor, Jon Wilkin, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Luke Douglas, Adam Walker, Tommy Lee, Dominique Peyroux,
Greg Richards, Morgan Knowles, Jack Owens, Jack Ashworth, Zeb Taia.

I would hope Masi keeps his place, and Thompson drops out. Saints have a big pack, and I think an interchange of Green and Masi is better than Green and Thompson

Near full strength. No excuses Friday

Taia always seems to have a good game against us. Hope we keep a handle on him.
Ellis in the team is always a massive plus.

We usually went with four forwards on the bench last season.For some reason Radford doesnt want to leave out Connor so if he includes Masi once again then I think Thompson will miss out.
We need two props on the bench otherwise A bench of Green,Washbrook,Thompson and Connor is a bit lightweight.
If he wants to play Connor then give him a run at Full back as Jamie Shaul has been quiet this season and had a shocker at Huddersfield.

Their pack is usually a handful, especially Walmsley. Think they'll be really looking for a performance after two losses, heard they were hard done to against Wakey but I didn't watch it so. Thompson needs to drop out for me, or Turnstile Thommo might end up sticking.

Wakefield were deserved winners for me. Saints scored 2 tries off the back of questionable decisions and their winning try was clearly a penalty try. No doubt they will perform better on Friday

Ellis in the squad but still has to pass a head test to play! Hopefully he is OK and passed fit to play!
rlhttps://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/hull-fc-still-face-anxious-wait-on-gareth-ellis-fitness/story-30190182-detail/story.htmlrl

Ellis in the squad but still has to pass a head test to play! Hopefully he is OK and passed fit to play!
rlhttps://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/hull-fc-still-face-anxious-wait-on-gareth-ellis-fitness/story-30190182-detail/story.htmlrl

Standard thing after any head injury, prior to first game back.

Indeed, but we need to start planning for the future beyond Ellis, other players need to "step up"

Step up? Other players need to start building a ladder.