I'm surprised we've not renewed Hodgson yet. Can't let both him and Balmforth go surely?

Wouldnt have given a deal for Laidlaw.Cant see him making a S/L player
I dont know anything about Balmforth or whether he is outspoken but its quite evident that he wont get a chance of a game or run of games whilst this coach is here.
Just dont get it as even Grix keeps saying he has what we are misssing at Dummy half yet continues to play Houghton when he clearly slows down our attack.
Cant see him here next season and some S/L team will develop his attacking talent

It's not a new deal as such, all 3 have had 1 year extensions triggered in their contracts for next year.
Hooker is a mess this year, Houghton is once again being flogged to death, Smith gets 20mins if he's lucky and the 2 young lads can't get a look in, it's baffling.

I tend to agree about Laidlaw. Never really stood out for me.

I just find it odd that no decision seems to have been made on Denive's future nor has there been any media talk about him moving elsewhere. I guess we'll see how he goes with his latest loan move. I wonder if Swinton will play him at hooker as I don't think Newcastle did.

Well maybe both will stay, Hodgson third choice after Borouh and Smith with Balmforth more of a utility cover.

The club has now been open about Balmforth - he’s great a lot of the time but he switches off. And when you switch off you lose points. You can’t get clearer. The issue seems to me that fans want to criticise Houghton- now- there may be a case in some areas of his game - and Balmforth plays in his position. But that misses out detail that us fans don’t know. It’s a fans 2+2 and makes 5. On the other hand the coaches, close to the issues make the decisions about what is really known. It’s about trusting the coaches who live and breathe the game. Yes they make mistakes but clearly Balmforth has a bit to go. That said in a season where there is nothing to lose I’d give him a run. I just don’t like this ‘ I know better from miles away’ mentality

The whole team switches off regularly,week after week. I'm not sure balmforthnis any different to the rest

Coming from a lad who was in the Hull academy recently, Laidlaw was the highest respected and toughest forward outside the first team. The story goes in his first first team training session he ran straight at Sao and flattened him! Obviously doesn’t mean a lot, just know he’s well thought of.

Can’t shake the thought that we’re getting it all wrong with Balmforth. Heard attitude issues etc, but we just need him to play consistent minutes. Wigan and Saints etc have countless ‘arrogant’ players coming through, but they seem to harness it in a productive manner. Seems to have all the attributes.

Latest rumour on the socials is Bateman as signed.

Cas is the club I got told.

Fans only see the attacking stuff. It’s the effort based all round things that appeal to coaches.
It’s a team sport , you’ve got to muck in with the tough stuff.

Im not sure why people dont think Balmforth has being given a chance. Hes being around the first team since 2022, played games and also had a season out on loan, which not every youngster has had that luxury.

Thats not to say he wont make a player but hes had chances and not done anything to make me stand up and think we have an actual player.

He’s played the odd game here and there on the first team, in a position we consistently flog a player in. He could have had more games on the bounce. Playing 20 minutes one game then not playing for another 5-10 isn’t going to do anything.

Really don't get the love in with Balmforth. What has he done to make people think he's the real deal? He cane to us with great raps and I think we fought off a lot of other clubs to capture him but he's done nothing since arriving. Yet certain posters are obsessed with him getting a starting spot, granted if you don't try something new we'll never find out if he can step up but all the signs are that he can't......at this time

['hasn't he played 3 times off the bench? Maybe had an hour of first team rugby in the last couple of years. We're crying out for something different at dummy half so I would say give him a few games off the bench and see how he goes. It can't be any worse than we have now

Doesn't make sense with persisting with Houghton anymore so nothing to lose. Give him sufficient game time to prove himself capable if he doesn't look at other options for next season. Having said that I reckon he's on his way irrespective how he does. Surely use a quota place for first choice hooker with Bourouh as back up and develop Hodgson. Moy can fill in there as well.