THE postponement of the Batley fixture has highlighted the negative aspects of a winter season.

It is the third game that has had to be re-arranged and vital revenue has been lost as a result and that has implications for the recruitment of new players.

This, coupled with a lack of suitable training facilities in the area can seriously hamper our preparation for games - and it is frustrating for all of us.

Although I have to work within the same parameters as everyone else I am firmly in favour of a complete return to a summer game.

I AM looking forward to Sunday's game against Hull which provides us with a great opportunity to gauge our progress. I fully expect a crowd of over 4,000 which would be the biggest crowd since we played Wigan in 1998.

The players are also eager to compete against one of the strongest teams in Super League.

It will be a good chance for our supporters to see players like Tony Smith, who distinguished himself with Wigan, England and Great Britain, and Aussie Jason Smith who can claim to be one of the best loose forwards in the world after playing with Paramatta, Queensland and Australia.

HULL coach Stuart McRae has coached in Super League since its inception and he has won two Challenge Cups and a Championship with St Helens. He was also Scotland's coach in the World Cup, so I'm looking forward to operating in that kind of company.

THREE players who are particularly looking forward to the game are Graeme Hallas, Jim Leatham and Craig Murdock, they are all former Hull players and will want to impress against their old club.

Having said that, emotion will play no part in the proceedings as we need to remain absolutely focused on the job.

APART from the unfortunate injury to Karl Smith who will be missed for his great defensive qualities I hope to be selecting from a full strength squad.

FINALLY I'm always saying that I will give blood for this club, so they took me literally this week. The National Blood Service arrived an pulled me in, but it was a good excuse to lie down on the job!