Watson has had a raw deal and so has Chisolm. Watson is ripping it up at Hunslet so good luck to him if he moves on - he should have been given a chance. Chisolm is not playing well though, so will [uNOT[/u play in the first team. Poor Hoody too, I think he should consider making a move too.

As for the U19s - I know there are some good players, but only Sutcliffe (and I still have my doubts) might get a look in. [uNOBODY[/u other than the remaining dual reg players will get a look in for the next 2 years. For sure!!!!!

The cream (and only about 4 will survive the cull) of the current U19s will go to Hunslet next year and that is only if Hood, Keinhorst and Singleton are not there otherwise the cream of the current U19s might be playing for Oldham or NW Crusaders or something.

Mcdoughnut wont change the team around and he will probably buy another winger like Keiron Dixon or Briscoe but he will not introduce the likes of Duckworth or Minns, he would sooner buy in first.

Don't worry it's all a ploy. There's a chance that we might not reach the nirvana of 5th place. BMD is just trying to ensure that doesn't happen.

If Percival plays, the Ablett injury might turn out to be a blessing in disguise for this game.

Kid had him on toast at Langtree Park, Watkins might at least present more of a challenge.

Not sure Ablett and Clarkson will be challenging for the Fastest Man In Super League competition this year

Not sure why you responed to my input.....but I agree that Leeds should re-visit their less experienced / younger squad in situations like this and give some opportunities. I have heard today from a decent source that its Vickery in on the wing, Watkins back at , Keinhorst and Watson + others still at Hunslet for now.

Well, lets at least get a win and jog onto next week's big one versus Wigan

If Vickery does play it'll be interesting to see how he goes with Watkins as his centre, Ablett clearly had little confidence in giving him the ball but i think Watkins will be more generous (provided we can get the ball to Watkins in the first place).

Also it did seem that he was rushed back from that ankle injury that took him out of the opener vs Hull and you never know he might show more 2nd time around.....Achurch did after going away to Hunslet.

Good pointers, Watkins has a weakness with his passing / off load game but not as much as Ablett's hesitation to even try it, at times, I agree he off loads well usually playing in the forwards

I wouldn't say Watkins has a weakness in his offload/passing game at all, I can remember numerous times when he has put BJB away with a nice step and well times pass

By weakness I should rather say his weaker skill as yes it has been good but would say inconsistent..... lets try and put things in context when we read posts.....

Fair point Max !

Good post - nice to see opinions about the young players that are based on some actual first-hand knowledge, as most of us don't get to see them very often!

I just wonder though - how many trophies does our head coach have to win before your 'hilarious' nickname for him gets ditched? Two SL Grand Finals not enough?

Disagree in any context. His passing game and the way he creates space around him was highlighted in his England appearances where he actually received some ball. He is fully aware how he attracts defenders and creates space for others superbly. If Leeds played him at centre and left him there (honestly, would we have p1$$ed Keith Senior around like this) instead of sticking him on the wing whenever anyone in the backs takes a knock, and if they got the ball in his hands near the opponents try line he would cause chaos.
I see no weakness in his passing game, the only inconsistency is the way he's used by Leeds, which is frankly baffling. When even McBananna is able to use him better than we can you have to wonder.

To be fair DHM we've seen a few times his offloads have been well forward ,a bit blind/wild and even behind his winger.
I totally agree re-leaving him at RC and how under used he is by us and i also do think he's a top quality player but to say he has no kinks in his passing game is a bit off the mark imo.

PS-This just an observation/opinion and in no way is it scapegoating ,knee-jerking or calling the lad to be sold/dropped etc etc

I agree with both of you.

Not every Watkins pass will hit the target but it would be unrealistic to expect any player (bar John Holmes ... obviously) to be 100% accurate all the time, especially with the variety of flicks and tricks he possesses.

I also agree with DHM that it is highly unlikely any coach would have gotten away with disrupting Senior in the way Watkins has been shunted around but in fairness Senior arrived to play centre and was already established in the position. Of Senior's 363 Leeds starts, 358 were there, 4 on the wing and 1 in the second row.

Watkins thus far has made 76 starts: 52 at centre, 17 on the wing and 7 at full-back but equally having established himself at centre should have been left there this season to wreak even more havoc - as should Ablett on the left as he formed an early devastating combination with Moon and Hall.

McDermott hasn't exactly been given any depth in established back-line options by the CEO and is presumably doing the best he can with what he's got.

Except he didn't.

If a defending centre usually lined up against an attacking centre that might have been an obviousl conclusion to draw. But they don't and they didn't.

Kid made some nice breaks (mostly when the game was sealed and mostly not past Ablett) and had some moments but "on toast".

Nah.

Actions speak louder than words.

Only McDermott acolytes might fail to notice.

Watkins deserves not to be turned into our new utility player........

I've said it before: we knew BJB was going to be out long term. A wasted opportunity to trial some reserve team wingers (not talentless, average at best, antipodean chancers)

Then when Hardaker was out it was an ideal chance to trial Watson (at least after the WCC match).

In fairness young McGuire is still trying to perfect his tackling: against Huddersfield last Saturday he was seen to be attempting the hanging-around-the-neck (in this case Crabtree's) technique

That's how I see it as well. I don't see anything of the academy etc. these days so am unable to comment of the likes of Watson, Keinhorst or others as to how well they could fill in at wing. However, looking at the fairly average nature of most of the opposition wingers at most SL clubs I find it hard to believe that nothing we have coming through could play at 2 in a team as strong as Leeds across the rest of the pitch.
The confirmation of this must surely be that a player as spectacularly unexceptional as Vickery has jumped whatever queue there was straight into the first team.

McGuire seems Leeds' biggest enforcer at the minute. Grrrrrr.

NMFMISL?

.........okay.......

McGuire = New Most Feared Man In Superleague

Move over Ryan, there's a new sherriff in town.

And he clobbers the big men.

GULP.