not really true when he's been out most of the year with injury - hardly suprising he hasnt put on much size

Yes when he was ready to return he talked about his back injury and how the medical team were quite stumped at what the exact problem was for a while so set him back a bit.

Should also remember that Leeds don't rush into bulking up their younger players.

From what I've seen he looks like a halfback. Probably his best bet though is to continue to play full back as well because he's more likely to get games if he's versatile.

Golding is only 18 isn't he?

Leeds don't start players putting size on until they're 19.

Jon Wilkin sounding very confident in the paper today, he says they are the only team that can stop Leeds and they know our weaknesses.

Strange that since they've not beaten us yet this season.
I'd argue that Wigan & Warrington would have a counter view.
But only Wigan's is relevant now.
However, I think tonight's game will be very hard & Saints could win, whether they can then repeat it if we meet again in the season is a moot (sic) point.

Leeds to win by 2.

In McDermott's interview on the website he didnt sound too confident of Burrow, Hardaker and Watkins playing tonight - desribed their injuries as 'one or two weekers'

I think this is a tough game post Wembley and with the injury doubts. Every cloud has a silver lining though as a Saints win ends the Catalans season ahead of our trip there next week.

If they can't feel confident tonight after a week off, Leeds on the bounce back from Wembley celebrations and the probability we will be a few short, something would be very wrong at their end. His job in that interview is to big up Saints chances and give the faithful something to cling to, he's hardly going to say other than he did.

I reckon they could catch us out tonight, but hope we have enough to see them off at HQ. If we do I think their season will have just about run its course.

Understandable that he says his side is confident. A bit weird that he thinks they're the only side that can stop us. Bet old Ape Man won't be happy if he reads that.

Not sure how you pulled that out of the interview, the fact he said if they don't play on Friday then its only a week or two would suggest to me that Zak or Kal will be missing

heard Watkins is out

Watkins, Hardaker and Burrow all out. Keinhorst, Golding and Lilley in.

Good test of how we do without two of our strike backs and no hookers. Would be a big achievement to win this.

To be fair didn't every team have a weekend off last week. Sure some went for a day out in London and brought back a souvenir or two. But was there actually a competitive match played?





Leeds to make the clean sweep for me.

Actual:

Golding
Briscoe Keinhorst Moon Hall
Sinfield McGuire
Garbutt Cuthbertson Peacock
Ablett S Ward
Delaney

Lilley Achurch Singleton Leuluai

How I think we are lined up:

Briscoe
Keinhorst Ablett Moon Hall
Golding McGuire
Garbutt Sinfield Peacock
S Ward Delaney
Cuthbertson

How you think we're lined up would fill me with more confidence

Saints will definitely fancy their chances. It's a strong looking pack and Briscoe should be safe at fb.

The ape will be spitting feathers.

He took issue with wire's (entirely tongue in cheek) pie smash video the other week - said it was disrespectful and had motivated his players!!!

Has Lilley leapfrogged Ward for sub hooker/halfback or is Ward out or is it simply a case of trying options in the last few games

What's the under/over on how many minutes Jordan Lilley gets?

I'm going for 5.

6.

I hope we thrash saints. Missing 6 first teamers makes it a big job just to win. That said I'd still love to wallop them just to see what rubbish Cunningham comes out with this time

Well, we're down to 15 troops already so I'd assume Lilley will get at least 10 minutes.

We do seem unlucky / self destructing atm

The one half back policy has been found out. Predictable and easily contained by Saints' defence.