I don't disagree and think like you that we'll end up with one back too many and one forward too few which is why I'm really hoping we're getting one or two academy players ready for next year. At hooker we've been very lucky with Houghton's been injury free (touch wood!) this season and has played a tonne of minutes, which is as well because we've needed Obst to cover Long and Washy's been injured. I can see that we would want more at hooker. But I do think we're one over in the halves as it stands with Seymour, Ellis, Horne, Obst and Westy as cover.

Depends how you look at it. Whilst they can do a job there if pushed, I would personally prefer not to see either Obst or Westerman in the halves next year. Also, with the possible lightness in the pack we're talking about (particularly the back row by the look of it so far), I don't see how we'd be able to afford for Westerman to move from there. The 2 signed up players I don't see much use for next year are Obst, and Turner if Gleeson gets sorted.

This is the dignified and credible 'lady' who refers to local players as Cod Heads ?

A term of affection, clearly. Come back when you've gone a year without a Companies House fine, have met your ground improvement pledges made in March 2008 and have a credit rating that's not, well.... Oh, and binned Cockayne.

I disagree with that. I think we are very lucky that our only recognised number 9 hasnt suffered from injury so far this year.

Houghton is a quality number 9 but has his limitations which other teams are more then aware of. Great scooter and defender with decent distribution skills but maybe we need a bit more from such a pivotal positon and Houghton spelling Heremaia may just provide more from an attacking point of view.

People are writing off heremaia before they even seen him

I disagree with that and think we have been very fortunate that Houghton hasnt suffered any injuries this year given our lack of backup.

Houghton is a quality player, excellent at scooting, strong defender most the time and decent distributor but the top teams seem to have more at number 9 skill base wise and hopefully Heremaia and Houghton spelling each can compliment each other and can give Hull and attacking extra from that point of view.

1,6,7 and 9 run the team nowadays and by adding a different skill set to compliment Houghton at 9 may be a smart move IMO.

Only went t1ts up with the last sentance,smart move?Agar still coach?

Not going to turn this into an Agar out thread plenty of others will....

Exactly.



The way i see it is we was gonna go with Heremaia and Houghton as hookers for next year with Ellis/Obst/Horne and possibly Long as halfs. Then all of a sudden Seymour came up and we just couldnt say no and it was the right decision to sign him as weve needed a proper scrum half since Brough/T Smith was here. Its now left us overloaded in the halfs/hookers/pivots role but is that such a bad thing as weve relying on make shifts, average jo's and injury proners since Judus left and look where thats left us.

Well bring in a couple of forwards from somewhere be it NL or the Acadmey but were not gonna be much poorer whoever we bring in when they'll be replacing Lauaki whos been gash since he arrived and Fitz whos body has had enough and slows the play down anyway.

Potentially we will have a much better side next season who should be top four. Whether Agar can coach them is the biggest problem we will have and with him in charge it'll be 6-8th position again.

Not me. He may end up being a very good player for us, and I won't judge that until he plays for us. What I question is why we felt the need to use an overseas spot on another hooker when we already have Houghton and Obst signed up and at least 2 forwards leaving the club.

if Houghton's good now, wait til there's some proper competition for the 9 jersey. I'm not saying he doesn't graft his off because he does but this could just push him that bit further and he's already improving every season imo, Mcnamara watch this space!