Leeds missing some quality players for this game and Smith under a bit of pressure also . I think they will be still to strong for us but hoping for a closer score and a better performance .from us .

I'm just hoping we look like we have more idea how to defend

As a curve ball wonder if he's considered Briscoe centre which he played a lot in his last year at Leeds. Tindall on the wing. Brings us some need pace in the 3/4. Put Chamberlain 2nd row ?

The HDM has him on the side lines this week. No point in rushing things if he's not quite there.

"However, Briscoe will have to wait for his second Hull debut, with the winger making sure his calf is in tip-top condition before making a comeback. Briscoe suffered the injury at St Helens earlier this season but is expected to feature at Warrington Wolves next week."

Still expect the Leeds spine to have too much for us.

Don't see what Balmforth did to be dropped, unless injured.
Struggling to pick the spine now unless Houghton plays 80 minutes which would just be a shocking call to make.
Smith could be sharing the 9 role but then I don't see who in the squad partners Charles in the halves, unless Moy can play in the halves.
I think Moy can play at 9 but he still looks way to small to be defending in the middle of the field against SL players

No issue for me with Lane and Cator who can bring a dynamic element to that role.

Oh good point I forgot all about Cator doing stints at 9!

To be fair, it is instantly forgettable, more of the tinkermans fine work

I actually think Houghton is becoming a weak link and is now playing on reputation.
It looks likely now to be Houghton/Cator with Grix taking a safe approach .
I agree with you just what Balmforth has to do to get a run of games i dont know.
I also dont see the point in naming Okunbor in the 21 if he is not going to play

Not expecting much on Sunday, in truth I gave up expecting anything from us weeks ago, I'm just taking each game, week by week, on its own merits!

Would simply like to see some energy and enthusiasm put in through the 80 minutes.
Would also like to see some evidence that at some point during the week someone on the coaching roster remember to take the tackle bags out of the training cupboard, and that someone within the coaching staff reminded the players that they are allowed to tackle the opposing players when they have the ball!!!

Like I said, I'm not expecting much but even a couple of small steps in improvement will be a start.
We have a very long road ahead of us but we have to begin somewhere, even if it is with only a couple of small steps forward.
Let's hope we get to see at least some rays of sunshine come Sunday afternoon (metaphorically as well as meteorologically!!) to cheer us up a touch at last!!! We live in hope, as always!!

I'm becoming increasingly puzzled by the Balmforth situation (unless he is injured?)

Given where we find ourselves right now (we're playing for nothing concrete or achievable in 2024) all we can conceivably do for the rest of the year is to give virtually everyone a run out to see what they can do and what they potentially can bring to the squad going forward into next year.

To that end, I would have thought that, at the very least, Balmforth deserves to be given that opportunity to pitch his case to be included in any future plans we may have (be that Grix, Cummins, Myler or whoever will make these decisions). The kid can hardly do that if he is continually sat on the side lines.

One of the great ironies in this disastrous season is that any kind of play-off pressure is long gone (had already completely disappeared by Good Friday in fact) so we effectively have carte-blanche to try out almost anything. We may as well take this opportunity, even as calamitous as it is, to take a look at virtually everybody and everything. Let's face it, what have we got to lose that we haven't lost already this year!!!

There are four players named every week by every club that aren't going to play.

when you consider hudds are doing OK with milner and golding at hooker it proves you don't need a superstar there

The situation with Okunbor is different.
The extra four players named are usually back up younger players or a young player promoted into the 21 to give them taste of what the build up is like in the first team.
Okunbor has been told he will not be playing and will play in the next reserve game