I just came on to post that, good news as Ligi Sao has been great so far this year.

I was at the game, Fonua made a great pass to Carlos for one of his tries and won several penalties so it wasn't all bad.

While it was disappointing to lose we were not outclassed, a poor 20 minutes after the break did us in. With a better bench and the absence of a couple of brainfarts and it might have been a different outcome.

Kelly to start for me next week. Griff to stay second row, Connor and Carlos (if fit) in the centres, Fonua on the wing.

I am slightly concerned that we have not seen much evidence of the effectiveness of our attack coach yet but I suppose we are only 3 games in.

At the start of the 2nd half, we effectively had 9 (10 if you include Lane) players missing - it's no wonder the bench struggled.
It's a price you have to pay when you build a squad based on "quality" rather than "quantity".

To have two lightweight hookers in the team knowing that the pitch condition was going to be heavy was the wrong decision.
Radfords dilemma is with Johnstone who has played well since his arrival and doesnt deserve to be dropped but he cant leave Houghton out.
This option of moving Houghton to 13 as a ball player to include Johnstone is not the way forward.
At one point in the game against a big Saints pack we had Houghton,Johnstone and Lane on the pitch at the same time whilst Matongo was still waiting to be introduced.
To me thats a coach error.
Matongo has come in for criticism but he doesnt get enough game time to make any impact.He should have been the first interchange in the front row instead Radford chooses Fash.

…. so who would you have played instead of Fash, Lane and Johnstone (who, tbh, hasn't impressed me, but what would I know)?

Our attack coach is Andy Last.
Unless he has been in Australia pre season and picked up some new ideas nothing will change.

Quote: bonaire "Our attack coach is Andy Last. Unless he has been in Australia pre season and picked up some new ideas nothing will change.'" And here's me thinking it's Kieron Purtill. Maybe I'm right.... Quote: bonaire "Hull FC’s new Attacking & Emerging Talent coach Kieron Purtill says he is hoping to use his almost two decades of coaching experience in his new role at the Black & Whites.'" Also (from a week ago) .... https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ct-3828217

Quote: bonaire "Our attack coach is Andy Last. Unless he has been in Australia pre season and picked up some new ideas nothing will change.'" And here's me thinking it's Kieron Purtill. Maybe I'm right.... Quote: bonaire "Hull FC’s new Attacking & Emerging Talent coach Kieron Purtill says he is hoping to use his almost two decades of coaching experience in his new role at the Black & Whites.'" Also (from a week ago) .... https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ct-3828217

You must be the only one on here who hasnt been impressed with Johnstone.He didnt put a foot wrong at Leeds and our play the ball was much faster and his passing more accurate than Houghton.
I suppose you have answered your own question.

With regard to the team selection obviously with Bowden pulling out late then even though Johnstone has been playing well i would have left him out and drafted in Patterson-Lund.
We didnt have an option to leave out Fash or Lane and either of those could have been used at 9 to spell Houghton if necessary.

It's not the fact that any of them played, it's the fact that Radford inexplicably only made one change in the first half and then ended up with them all on the field at the same time.

I know you don't rate Houghton, you've been setting him up as the fall guy since before the end of last season, if not longer.
What would I know? Well compared to your record over the years, more than enough, thankyou.
I haven't seen enough of Johnstone, but I've not seen anything yet to suggest he's a long term replacement, but who knows?
I certainly don't get this Houghton bashing that some on here seem keen on.
I guess if you don't like a player, then he's an easy target.

… or maybe that's why we managed to stay in front until halftime?

What really screwed us up was losing Ratu at halftime.

Saints took full advantage of a weakened right edge.

… while I'm at it, Connor is not a halfback and was totally outplayed, Griffin is an out an out centre who can probably fill in as a forward for part of a game, but not for the full 80 minutes.

I wouldn’t say I wasn’t impressed with Johnstone, but I’m certainly not getting your jiz fest over him, and the houghton bashing is just so wrong, Houghtons a class act, never lets the team down, and gives 100 % every game, houghton as never ever been the problem

Spot on

Has Ligi been banned yet?

No