If we can find some cap space I would look at signing Hampshire to cover for Gale even on a short term contract.. Would think he could use it as shop window for getting a more permanent move. Would suit both parties and would certainly be good for us.

Its a balancing act with using Connor back at Full back.I agree he gives us an attacking threat but we lose any attacking threat we should have at half back if McNamara plays.Plus his kicking game is very poor.

Paperboy we could sign Hampshire, Lancashire, and the whole of Cumbria, but the way these muppets at the RFL are treating certain clubs, we’d still be left and end up with JJ, Cam Scott and Macca.

Go with McNamara and Hookem for the next 5 games, might as well see what they can do before we look at halfbacks for next season.

Is Hookem fit?

Think he's out for a couple more weeks. Shame really. Have seen nothing from last year to convince me Mac is good enough

A lot of people more informed than me do seem to have high hopes for Hookem, but to me he looks too small/slight to be a top half in SL?

Still only young plenty of time to fill out. Has the X factor though.

Same could be said about Lewis and Dodd.

Yeah I guess so, but Lewis has raw pace, and Dodd is an organiser with a magic step.

Ben McNamara has to start the games that Gale is out for, he is our main cover player in that position, give the kid a chance

Maybe Hookem has these two, won't know until we give him a chance. Watched him a few times at academy level and his all around is fantastic. Big step up though.

How many games did Ben have last season to impress?
With a weakened pack I don’t think it will do his confidence any good.

I know I'll get lambasted for this suggestion, it is just that I do not see anything in McNamara other than a ponderous and indecisive half, who is nowhere near the level required for SL, even as a deputy - I'd play Carlos at 6- didn't we win the cup in 2016 with him there? I know he is a better centre, but he offers the stability and passing game that McNamara looks short of.

I would give him another chance as well. Maybe a couple of games and see how he goes. He's only a young kid and having had the benefit of a few games under his belt and having worked with Gale pre-season he may have improved. Lets face it the team as a whole was terrible last season and to single out him in my view is unfair. We shouldn't write him off just yet.

Connor is our most effective attacking weapon from full back (maybe our only option according to Cooke) and we should do our best to keep him there for the time being.

McNamara gets a lot of flack despite his inexperience but for me Reynolds needs to take more responsibility and produce more.