Mon 2 AugL SL: Hull FC v St Helens KO 7.45pm (TV)

[John Drake]

Discuss Hull FC v St Helens here.

[Saint Toppy]

Saints have a decent record at the KCOM in recent years and Hull are not playing well but something tells me this is going to be a fairly close game.

Saints get Mata'utia back from suspension and young Matty Foster back after 4 months out injured but have lost Fages, Grace, Paasi & Josh Simm

[Moove]

Big opportunity for Dodd now with Fages done for the season. Assuming Young Jack Welsby centre and Naqaima on the wing.

Hopefully with Grace not playing, Bill Arthur won't get him and Naqaima mixed up every time they touch the ball, although I wouldn't put it past him.

Expecting we'll be a bit rusty having not played since the cup final but it's usually a decent game against Hull. Looking forward to it.

[FearTheVee]

Really excited to see the Dodd era start at Saints.  An academy spine of Welsby, Lomax, Dodd, Roby, Knowles (plus three of our four outside backs) is really something to look forward to for next year.

[Old Frightful]

We will come second again.

[Clogiron]

I think Sky have chosen the wrong side of Hull for tonight's broadcast.

[Hela Wigmen]

Think we’re in for a tough game. Hull are much improved under Hodgson and aren’t as disparate as they once were, so we’ll be in for a tough game as the Cup Semi proved and given the enforced time off we’ve had of late through Covid and the imbalance in the side through injury and Covid, it’s going to be a tougher test for sure. 
 

[Man of Kent]

Very strong-looking Saints side. Keen to see how Dodd goes at scrum-half.

[MZH]

This has all the hallmarks of a savage beating for us. 

[Waynebennettswinger]

Terrific start by Saints, let’s see how Hull respond. 

[MZH]

Good vision and execution from Reynolds. I think if Faraimo catches that cleanly he scores, but because he was juggling it he couldn't come up with any sort of fend. Unlucky.

[Waynebennettswinger]

Just now, MZH said:

Good vision and execution from Reynolds. I think if Faraimo catches that cleanly he scores, but because he was juggling it he couldn't come up with any sort of fend. Unlucky.

I think 8 times out of 10 it’s a try. Well watched and tackled by Young Jack Welsby Junior

[MZH]

I don't know if I can even bring myself to watch the rest of this.

[Futtocks]

The boote of Coote isn't quite dialled in yet.

[Cheshire Setter]

Is there a clear gap between the top 3 and the rest developing? 
 

Of course that means nothing considering the one-off nature of playoff games.

[Just Browny]

Every time Saints walk off the mark, that fella blows his hooter.

[MZH]

Ligi Sao is turning into a sh*thouse and a liability.

[Man of Kent]

Coote may have touched it on the deck (second time) but marginal. 

[Just Browny]

On first view I thought there were about three knock ons in that. On the replay it was absolutely fine.

[MZH]

I've seen more than enough, can't bare to watch this utter dross.

Hodgson has got his work well and truly cut out to turn this rabble into a top side. I think we are seeing just how good a player Jake Connor actually is that he can get a tune out of this lot.

[GeordieSaint]

Another really poor video ref decision…

[dkw]

Absolutely no idea what was wrong with that challenge then. 

[GeordieSaint]

And Hull then score…. 

[MZH]

I turned off in disgust for 10 minutes but then couldn't help but flicking it back on

Saints should be 22 (or 20 since it was a tough conversion) up. Nothing wrong with that contest. Then a little bit more fortune with that Hull try. I wouldn't say it's a lifeline. We are second best by a long way. At least it gives us something to play for in the second half though.

[Waynebennettswinger]

Saints look fresher for obvious reasons, glad to see Hull up the tempo before half time, they are still in this but need Reynolds and Sneyd to manage the game better.