Hopefully it’s just minutes for Balmforth and not the fact Houghton and Smith will be hookers.

You never know.Seems obvious Grix doesnt rate him and has had his nose pushed out since Ritchie Rich and Cartwright interveened and extended his contract

As you say I hope it’s just to get him more minutes during the International break and nothing more. I’d like to think Houghton would play a game in the reserves and not just go straight back in the 17 when he’s back fit, like it should be for all players coming back from an injury or time out the first team.

I'd go with Houghton and Balmforth, not sure Smith is good enough.

Smiths distribution has been very poor. A lot of wayward passes. If HDN are anything to believe it's to build match fitness for Balmforth.

Anyone else notice that Richie hasn't been at the matches recently? He was when he first joined us.

Apparently Grix said in interview that he and Richie used to be good friends. Think they've had a fall out?

Okunbor back but not in the reserves in an odd one for me

Recalling Ok would make sense but weird not to put him in the reserves today. With Sao, Scott, Severs and Staveley all hurt we are short of backrowers and cover at centre.

Can Armstrong play wide? He's been back from injury for a while now and it would be good to see him debut this year.

Pele was named in the Bulls squad but he's been in london all weekend

That’s a bit of a conclusion to draw from such a distance. I’d like to think they are operating as a team. Seems to be going ok so far. It’s difficult for Grix knowing that in a couple of moves he won’t be head man and has an unclear future. How would we feel in our jobs in such a situation?

Going that well that Grix has the same points won as Smith.”IF” Grix does leave Balmforth out v salford then we will know the answer,He is interim head man and would have a idea he may not be needed.Aren’t all jobs a unclear future…I go back on full-time work Monday after months of having Fridays off then changed to Mondays off.

Going that well that Grix has the same points won as Smith.”IF” Grix does leave Balmforth out v salford then we will know the answer,He is interim head man and would have a idea he may not be needed.Aren’t all jobs a unclear future…I go back on full-time work Monday after months of having Fridays off then changed to Mondays off.

Wonder if Degsy will have a moan about the reserves result.

Might be mad that we announced the score without his permission.

the score won’t stand as we only played our own players and not brought any in as we are safe…..Have a look Derek what a proper acedemy and reserve team look like and you wonder why Brad O’Neil is staring for Wigan eh.

Cokey's anti Leigh detector will be going mad.

You well know we are playing much better than under Smith more a rl team than aschool team. My job is steady. Why are we making a fuss about a squad not even thought of yet? Can’t we be hopeful Balmforth will play?

Feels like we are giving Okunbor the cold shoulder so he wants to go home, but I'd still be tempted to give him a try at centre as a final roll of the dice.

Tbf to him the club was a basket case at the start of the season even a SOO player would have looked lost. Also he does seem to have gone well at Bradford and done what was asked of him.

We have got more players in after Smith left and il give you we are playing better but we still have Wigan x2 Catalans x2 Sts to play so see what happens then,we hope Balmforth is in the squad but wouldn’t surprise me if he wasn’t…we will agree to disagree about Grix but a good debate all the same.

He played and got sin binned for a high shot. Plus ça change.

The Ock in contention for Salford.

Grix is part of the process of getting more players. Folk seem to be grumpy about Balmforth not being selected when there has been no suggestion of such. I would like Ock to get a lookin given his form is better, we have paid loads for him and we’re a bit short on numbers?

I'd rather use Cartwright/Jebson/Chan/Gardiner to cover the loss of Sao, Scott and Ashworth than see Okunbor back.

He’s back, found a bit of confidence on loan and coming into a better team. Give the bloke a shot.

He’s probably got 3-4 weeks to save his Hull career, surely that’s a motivator and it gives Cartwright a chance to see him in a Hull system

What I will say is that I've noticed he's been a part of the community work Hull do, and he's visible on match days even when not in the squad.

His stats were just plain awful more than anything for me. I’d struggle to put it all do confidence but if he does get another shot he’s just going to have to roll his sleeves up and run the ball in a lot more first. If he does that then sooner or later in a bit better team he’ll get a bit of space to run into which is obviously his game, he’s mobile and big enough to be a threat. We can’t afford a passenger though like he was early season.

It's up to the player to get involved and not just stand around waiting for a pass. Showed no real grasp of playing back row for me and I'd be surprised if he ever does., Needs to be moved on and the quota spot used more effectively