barnabus is correct. thats what he was told. do nothing but give it to sinfield.mcguire and others

....and if a young player can't accept coaching from a two time GF winning coach and a coach who won MOS playing that position, he isn't going to have much of a career.

Quite. If you're given a game plan by the coach, stick to it. If you want to break that rule, you'd better be a rainmaker or you're going to find your coach short on patience.

If that's what happened, it might explain McShane spending time at Widnes....

Sinfield, McGuire and others? So, as hooker, he was given a game plan that required him to distribute the ball efficiently to his runners?

Radical.

Did he stick to it willingly? I would assume so. RL being a team sport and all.

To be fair it sounds like styles just not fitting. McShane clearly wants to play a more dynamic / mixed style of play from hooked whereas McDermott clearly wants a more direct player from there.

If that's the case rather than try and change a players game that in effect does limit him more its probably best to move him on / bring in the type of player you want or to give him that freedom from dummy half.

For example you wouldn't sign Rangi Chase and ask him to play 6 like Sinfield does? Difference here is obviously McShane has come through your own system.

Please please keep Lunt. We need mcshane, he's pure class. Brilliant hands, good defence and great kicking game. Match winner

My thoughts too. McShane did have chances but never quite showed enough real class and always gave me the impression of doing his own thing ( we used to call it greedy)

More than happy to retain Lunt who fitted in with the team including the will to win attitude.

I don't really rate Lunt that highly, and I don't see any advantage playing wise over McShane (who I believe is a better player and with more potential to improve). However, as JC points out, there are other considerations - how you fit the team mentality. I can't judge that because I don't work with them and maybe McShane simply isn't worth it for that reason.

Honestly, neither are world beaters but neither are numpties, so it's not the most critical decision the management have to make by a long way.

It is an interesting one, not a great fan of Lunt yes he played well the last few games, but he does not have the X factor, and do something unexpected. For some reason the coach does like McShane, who I understand is highly rated at Hull and Widnes where he has played on loan. I fear if we let him go we could be making the same mistake we made in the 1990's by letting Lowes go, which came back to haunt the club for many years. Yes he will make mistakes but i feel he could grow it a great player. But what about Hood, looked good at the start of the season, did nothing wrong as far as I could see and then set to Dewsbury.

We need the situation sorting out.

Think you need to watch the Grand Final to see what Lunt does well, several (3 or 4) attempts going for the line himself from close in ptbs, then having conditioned the defenders steps out again but slips a great late pass to Ablett who scores. That is a different, less obvious skill than a cut out pass or grubber, but the points count the same.

FWIW i understand Lunt will be a Leeds player next season.

IMO Lunt has the better all-round game, whereas McShane offers more "off the cuff" moments but his fair share of brainfarts and in particular poor defending down the middle.

I'd be happy with Lunt at Leeds for 2013, even if it means McShane moving on.

I've always been a big fan of Lunt and was excited when he came because I thought he was going to share the hooking with McShane. But I'd prefer to see McShane stay. Granted he hasn't lived up to his potential but for a young player in a pivotal position, you need game time. His development was no doubt hindered by being in and out. He obviously has something, just look at how the Widnes fans have rated.

The perfect example for me is McIllorum at Wigan. He left us without many eyebrows raised because we had better players (with better attitudes too probably). But he's developed into arguably the best hooker in the league because he's had consistent game time. McShane for me could go on to this level given the chance. We talk about Buderus, and he's gone on record saying that McShane can go to the top of the game.

My dad knows him quite well and I've spoken to h, and he comes across as quite quiet and humble. Lunt's done well but nothing that a confident MvShane couldn't

McIlorum was never a leeds player

We now know that McD will just keep grinding out his best team week in, week out. It's deliberate - a rigid, military discipline thing.

McShane and Hood have played well out on loan, but haven't set the world on fire. At hooking position we have a number of good options, therefore, but no great ones. All three have played in our first team and the management (which includes a great hooker we let go) appear to think Lunt adds most to this great team. The evidence of the Grand Final seems to support their decision making.

Lunt was very underwhelming for the majority of the season. Partly due to a lack of game time, partly due to being, well, underwhelming when he got that game time.

His game lifted significantly as the playoffs came. based upon that I would be pleased if we retained him but not suicidal if we didn't.

As Ward gets integrated more Burrow is, quite rightly, going to monopolise game time at hooker so Lunt's role (or McShane or Hood) is not that significant.

G, you are very wise, and obviously have experience of having many hookers, and wanting to satisfy them all

Would a party sausage satisfy you?

I think we all know who ever gets the nod at Leeds will always be playing second fiddle to Rob Burrow, I personally think the better option for Paul McShane is to start a fresh elsewhere and have the opportunity to make a name for yourself where your chances aren't as limited.

Quote ="Fetlar"We now know that McD will just keep grinding out his best team week in, week out. It's deliberate - a rigid, military discipline thing. McShane and Hood have played well out on loan, but haven't set the world on fire. At hooking position we have a number of good options, therefore, but no great ones. All three have played in our first team and the management (which includes a great hooker we let go) appear to think Lunt adds most to this great team. The evidence of the Grand Final seems to support their decision making.'" I'd ask the Widnes Vikings they're thoughts on that comment or even just look here: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=539028&tsmp=1350334034 He seems to have left a lasting impression on them.

Quote ="Fetlar"We now know that McD will just keep grinding out his best team week in, week out. It's deliberate - a rigid, military discipline thing. McShane and Hood have played well out on loan, but haven't set the world on fire. At hooking position we have a number of good options, therefore, but no great ones. All three have played in our first team and the management (which includes a great hooker we let go) appear to think Lunt adds most to this great team. The evidence of the Grand Final seems to support their decision making.'" I'd ask the Widnes Vikings they're thoughts on that comment or even just look here: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=539028&tsmp=1350334034 He seems to have left a lasting impression on them.

FWIW i think it's pretty much nailed on that Shaun Lunt will be a Leeds Rhino next season, He simply fits into the system better at Leeds and whereas it looks like he'd happily settle at being second fiddle with limited game time (Why wouldn't he if he wasn't even getting a look in at Huddersfield), McShane strikes me as somebody who has served his apprenticeship at Leeds behind Diskin, Buderus & now Burrow and never been given a realistic chance to stake his claim for the starting 9 shirt and would now relish the opportunity to be given a chance elsewhere where the coach has faith in him to play Rugby League, because at the end of the day that's all everyone involved in the game wants to do.

Well put Mrs McShane.

Ooops [urlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/19951051[/url

Shocked. Then intrigued...

like i said elsewhere i was told the big name signing was a hooker although G could be right. with burrow seemingly sat there we only really need a back up and that could be hood