For the first time in a long while we have genuine options/cover in the spine, Hoy/Walker/Litten at FB, Trueman/Brown/Hoy/Smith in the halves then Houghton/Balmforth/Smith/Brown and with some promising youngsters coming through.

As you say Brown would be a great option at 13 on Truemans return to the 17 especially if Hoy plays well in the halves & Walker well at FB during Truemans absence.

Think even with the limitations we have in the SR and on the wings and whilst accepting we aren't likely to trouble the teams at the top there's certainly reason to have a fair degree of optimism this coming season.

I certainly agree with you there and think that the IMG stuff has meant that certain aspects seem to be overlooked. Its clear that most fans of the game can see there's little problem developing good youth players who are more than a match for their Southern Hemisphere counterparts at junior level but can see there an issue in getting these players to progress in to senior level. Think the long and short of it in simple terms is lack of opportunities at a high enough level week in week out. The RFL either need to sort out a proper and fully functioning Reserve League or allow SL clubs to enter Reserve teams in to League One.

The one good thing is we've plenty of pace in the halves

We need go play to likes of hoys and Trueman strength which is running game

Remember when leeds played off the cuff in 2017 and had Joel moon at half back they unexpectedly won the GF

And imo we need to play off the cuff rugby which could surprise a few and who knows

If we go set for set we'll finish bottom 3

Trys from yesterday are on Bradford's YouTube channel now

Highlights on FC Live.

https://youtu.be/IV78lx6F9uE?si=vt-xhPY3QZTAot_k Full game on Bradfords YouTube

https://youtu.be/IV78lx6F9uE?si=vt-xhPY3QZTAot_k Full game on Bradfords YouTube

Going off his Instagram, wonder if we'll see a Nu Brown cameo on Sunday?

10 minutes into the 2nd half of the Bradford game, and impressed by some of the players.

Hodgson and Balmforth could be a great hooking duo for a number of years. Hodgson's passing is electric and accurate. Martin looks good, as did Jebson, Severs and Staveley. Gardiner I don't get the big fuss about. He does minutes, but not much impact. Also Barron doesn't do enough for me.

Damel looked ok, but could do with putting a few kg on

I'm glad to read I aren't the only one who doesn't get the fuss about Gardiner. As steady as they come but that's really about it. I suppose he is still rather raw to a first team environment but I cant recall seeing any glimpses of real skill/something to get excited by.

And there is the problem even if they are average they'll be here for years yet

Like current crop of hull born and bred been here years and haven't done a great deal

Even jack brown he's 23 now and I don't think he's really gone to that next level and he's been in the first team 5th year now

Brad fash 28 next week already

Think hope Balmforth Severs and Martin will be the ones to make a break through if any of them do

Which we badly need some quality to come through

Severs looked very good seen as he hadn't played for a year.

Martin. Balmforth . Severs.Jebson. Staverly. Could certainly play some first team rugby this year. Watch out for Dawson to maybe make an appearance. Not all the youngster's will make it but certainly a few are looking the business.

While any youngsters who end up making it to regular first team rugby is a success story, we really need some joy with a young half over the next few years in my opinion.
The benefits to been able to successfully bring through a quality young half are massive, and while we've had a few young players that have done well it's been an awful long time since one of them was a half, despite a few names been mentioned as very promising players in the past.

Whilst I don't see the hype with Gardiner either, sometimes players especially forwards develop a bit later, I'm sure he has only been at Hull about a year, compared with some others who have been at the club a number of years.