I left the ground yesterday pretty up-beat with where we are with our development at this time of the year but had just one small piece of criticism for Justin Morgan.
It seems pretty clear to me that 16 of our side for Cardiff was set in stone prior to yesterdays kick off with the one remaining place a straight fight out between Ben Cockayne and Scott Taylor.
With that in mind i thought there was a big discrepancy in the amount of minutes that both were allowed to play. Ben got on early and went on to have a big game putting himself firmly in the driving seat for the spot whilst Scott was only given the final 10 minutes or so, by which time Ben had probably already secured the spot.
I know that Scott is a young kid whose time will come but i honestly think he is ready to explode onto the scene this season looking at his physical development and he should have been afforded more time on the pitch.

As i say it is just one small gripe and a far better position to be in than scraping around to try to fill the 17th spot.

Bens got the utility factor, and imo can change the tempo of a game when coming on off the bench.

Plus ben's unrivalled ability to wind the opposition up will see him at Cardiff im sure but as for the future i believe scott's time will come.

Thats right and i will be happy to see Ben on the bench in Cardiff. This wasnt meant to be a criticism of him. I just think both players should have been afforded the same opportunity.
Hull have a big side and are likely to be even bigger if they have to play Manu in the centre and Washbrook at 7. Taylors size could be useful but he wasnt given enough opportunity to put his best foot forward.
Would Ben be so effective coming into the back row after half hour or so if we are on the back foot? Just playing Devils Advocate.

I dont see Scott and Ben fighting for the spot on the bench, i honestly think Scott would more likely take Wheeldons place on the bench.

Full fit, who would be on the bench?

Lovegrove & Watts make it every time for me. Then its charlie, nev, wheeldon, Josh and nev fighting for 2 places?
Then if Big W shows his face them 5 players are fighting for 1 place? Josh gets it for hooker, Charlie will be starting because of an injury. Doesnt give many chances for Taylor to show how he can break into the team...

I would hope they do, we are a big enough side to deal with what they can throw at us down the middle(or at least we should be!). We looked sharp out wide yesterday and moved the ball out quick to both centre's and wingers. Our quick players should be picking out some of their useless lumps to dance around lol

Hope that isnt aimed at Manu been out wide... great player - wrong position.

Manu aint great, good player yes, far to inconsistent but can be a match winner on his day. Out wide we will hopefully take advantage of his positioning and mobility.

Great player.... in SL.


That better?

I'm not so sure it would be between Scott and Ben. Ones a utility back the other is a back row forward. Scott was maybe being given some worthy game time for when we need him to come into the squad to cover injuries. Who knows there is a big chance that Mason will be here in 14days and who then gets that final spot Benny C or Big Willie?

Once Big W is here - rightly or wrongly i think he will play (He wont be here in time for 1st game unless he comes in the next 7 days though)

Ben played in the back row yesterday and it appears that the plan, going by yesterday, is to alternate him and Murrell at 13.
Even if Mason arrives tomorrow i dont think that he should automatically claim a place on the bench.

If he's here by the 11th he'll play i reckon. Mason played every game for NQC last season playing an average of 55 minutes a game. Two 20 minute spells will do him the world of good and give Hull a world of pain.

I hope so, size isn't everything, Manu at centre would be good for us with Webster and Welham in our centres and Washbrook at 7 would get eaten alive by Dobbo.