Again I dont see how a coaches gameplan would significantly differ if Long is playing or not. Most teams focus on their own style of play and the overall style of play of the opposition rather than focusing on particular individual opposition players.

Or that could be the gameplan regardless of who the halfback happens to be? Any "edge" we might get from pretending Long has a chance of playing is so marginal its not worth misleading the fans IMO. All of this is hypothetical ATM anyway and we will only know if he doesn't play next week.

Behind a better pack.

Why does it matter if its misleading the fans ? I know I wont be losing any sleep over it. Theres only Moa or one of the younger players who could of come into the 19 anyway, if it puts any doubt in Nobles mind then its worth it.

The Crusaders will have to include Long and Horne in their pre match training plans for the opposition. Also why put added pressure on whoever is gonna play halves if both are missing? Makes sense from both angles to me.

Pack was not the problem last year.

I don't get what all the fuss is about. No body on here even knows which players are definitely out other than those announced by the club. If they did you would have to assume letting that information out without the clubs consent would result in them not being privvy to information like that again. People who lack integrity generally are not trusted with sensitive information.

The only conclusion that can be drawn from what we know to be true is that Long and Horne are carrying knocks and will be given every chance to play.

There is nobody else in the Hull squad who can play the same role as Long. You will therefore have to slightly adapt your style of play if he doesnt make it. I would do exactly what Agar is doing, assuming of course that Long is a doubt at all.

I'd say any edge we gain, even the slightest edge, is more than worth misleading the fans for, why should the fans get to know the ins and outs of our line up or the tactics prior to the game.

Sean Long is our main man, therefore part of Noble's game plan will have been to minimise his threat. They will have watched videos of him during the week to see the way he plays and look for chinks in his armour. If all of a sudden the teams are announced and for example Tansey is at 7, all that work will have been for nothing. The Superleague is so tight that it's the little details that often win games, any little bit of information is useful to the players, whether it's which moves he likes to use or which shoulder he tackles better with.

The fact that someone comes on here claiming that Longy is out (and lets be honest, they don't know either way), and you then claim that the club is in some way decieving the fans is laughable. Besides, Agar's explanation has been perfectly plausible so far, I reckon it's more than likely that no mind games are going on at all. They are been given until the last minute to prove their fitness, they may play or they may miss out. He has brought Turner into the squad just in case they do miss out.

I dont like being lied to. If a player is likely to be out injured for the next 3 weeks then just say so.

Again this is all hypothetical ATM.

Whats laughable is your comprehension skills. At no point have I said the club ARE deceiving us. I have simply stated that if Long is touch and go this week with a bang on the leg he should have no problem playing next week. IF he is subsequently out for the next 3 weeks with a hamstring problem as some people are claiming then clearly the club have misled the fans as to the extent and cause of the injury.

Nail on the head !
Come on people, a Dobbin comes on here and claims that Long is definitely out for at least a month and some on here are believing it.
That is unless you believe that Agar for the next four weeks is gonna include Long in his squad simply to pull the wool over the oppositions eyes !!!
There must be even a slim chance he will play some part on Sunday with Agar giving him right up to kick off to assess it or he wouldnt be there on the list , Simples !

Thats not necessarily the case.

I disgree as our right edge structure in defence would change as Washy/Turner would defend inside of Yeaman unlike Long who defends out side of him IMO.