And I have asked this a few times now, but nobody seems to want to state it. How is our best side been measured? What is our best side? we have had the same players out there, we have gone through games with other playes, and yet the performance is still pretty consistently the same, not good enough.

After Fridays game, I looked at that side, and of the starting thirteen, given a choice, I would gladly swap all but three of them tomorrow with players from other clubs. I don't think with regards two or three of them the difference would be that great, but the point is that all but three are just not that important.

I am comfortable that putting Smith in against Batley, would have no less effect than what we had out on Friday, and IMO would be better.

People will be measuring on historic performances and short term potential. No one is saying that right now Ablett is playing well enough that Jordan-Roberts or Smith couldn't do the same job but if Batley come out and really put some pressure on us then Ablett is the better pick as he has more experience and at the moment has a higher skill ceiling.

FWIW I would go

Golding
Handley
Briscoe
Keinhorst
Hall
Sanderson
Lilley
Garbutt
Segeyaro
Cuthbertson
Ablett
Ward
JJB

Burrow
Smith
Singleton
JJR

Start with a lot of experience in the pack to make sure we get an early foothold and then once we're clear give the youngsters a go.

Leeds 22 Batley 23

Because it's pointless anybody saying what they think the best 17 is as you'll just say so and so is rubbish and shouldn't be in the 17.

When people say strongest 17 it's easy to work out what that would be by McDermott's past selections on what he deems his strongest available side to be. If he picks youngsters that have 2,1, 0 appearances to their name then we know he isn't picking what he thinks his strongest side is, but rather picking them for other reasons whether that be to rest them, form, have a look at a youngster.

It isn't what I think, but thanks for the compliment that you worry about that.

The point is more, how is it measured full stop. People are saying strongest 17, and seem to be basing that on previous years, rather than this year, where we have consistently seen the same players (allegedly our strongest) putting in below average performances. That is why I asked what is the strongest line up they refer to. What they really refer to is our "usual line up" which isn't it would appear the same.

Play our strongest team and get the job done. Simple as that. No messing around with Youngsters.

You got "worry" from that? Erm ok then. Just pointing out that it'd be pointless for people to name the strongest 17 in reply to you because you'll just moan about Carl Ablett's inclusion like you have done for the last few years now.



They are basing it on exactly the same thing as you, who they think would be the best choice.....that their lineup would differ from yours doesn't change that because not everybody has the same opinion on individual players performance.

When people say strongest 17 you know what they mean. Question, if this weeks game was against Hudds would you be saying lets have all of Smith, JJR, Hallas, Handley, Mullally in? Would any of them been in your 17 to play Salford last week or against HKR both in the Middle 8's or the final week of the season when we needed to win to get up to 9th?

If not (which we all know they wouldn't be if you were being honest) then right there you have your answer about strongest 17.

I see the usual deflection of a point from you. Not sure what one player has to do with anything, when I have repeated several times we are talking about most players. Other times I am accused of having favourites, yet you only have to go back to season before last to see my favourite was Carl Ablett, now it seems to suit you to say I have had a problem with him for "a few years". For what it is worth, he is one of many who has not done enough to warrnt his shirt this season.



They are not basing it on the same as me at all. I have already asked what is our strongest 17, and I asked that because I do not know. All I do know is that the "usual line up" which seems to be trotted out all the time, have continually proven they are not earning the shirt. They might be picked in it, but they are not earning it. And with that in mind, without seeing the other options given a run, I don't believe anyone is in a position to state it is the strongest 17. And if it really is our strongest 17, then we are in bigger problems than people accept.

If I had to be honest, I would probably have to answer reluctantly yes to the question you asked. But that was exactly the reason why I suggested we should try out other options against Batley. Then we would have a better idea, and I am confident would find a better alternative.

Wrt best 17 imo it has to be "on form" over a number of games of course we all know Mc.D has his favourites whether in poor form or injured.
This game would be ideal to blood Cam Smith Oledski & JjR imo but whilst we arent mathematically secure i cant see em getting a run if at all till Leigh at home.

Most folks would consider the strongest side to be based on proven performance over a long period. Much of the success for Leeds has come from experience and mental toughness that has become part of the culture for a generation of players. This season has been the exception and not the rule and a majority of our "strongest" players have been out injured for much of this season so have been sitting in the stand as we lost matches we could have won had they been on the field.

I am all for blooding youngsters and giving them a chance when injuries strike or when the pressure is off but must win games are not the best place to take the gamble on them. Our experienced players whose historic efforts of last season do not deserve to be cast aside quite so quickly.

I don't want to see JJR, smith and oledzki playing against hock and Leigh or hudds regardless of our safety. Smith perhaps but not all 3.
Leigh have beaten 2 SL sides and their pack is tough.
Hudd away will raise the huby / ferres thing again and we have already lost away twice this season.
Let's remember smith and oledzki are 17.
Last year at the aptly named big bash I saw hock give baldwinson concussion. We need to put Mr Galloway opposite Mr Hock, not a promising 17 year old.
The youngsters can play on Boxing Day

Joel Moon misses with injury and Mullally comes in looks like we will field are strongest team.

Balls to that.

The Leeds first team squad got us into this sorry mess - they can go out, earn their wages and play every game if fit.

Its the very least we should expect.

Plus, why should Batley not get to play the Leeds first team? Why should we treat them with disdain?

Whilst I'm in favour of strongest team possible, we also can't concern ourselves about the other side with regards to our team selection.

One scenario is if Leigh beat Hudds we are safe. I say we immediately send anyone who needs any post season ops done off right away, if that means a weakened team vs Hudds then so be it. That might upset HKR who could do with Hudds losing but we can't worry about others. We should be solely focused on getting our players in the best shape possible for 2017.

Agreed, but players shouldn't be getting a week off.

Does that include putting Danny McGuire out pasture?

The strongest team should play were ever possible for the remainder of the season, I would only blood/pick youngsters if we have injuries or and risky knocks, or on bench instead of likes of Achurch, Mullally,

Batley have sold out of adult tickets , dont know how many you sent us , we can still pay on the gate tho , see ya tomorrow Radio leeds interview JK www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0476bd4

Batley have sold out of adult tickets , dont know how many you sent us , we can still pay on the gate tho , see ya tomorrow Radio leeds interview JK www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0476bd4

Quote ="batley... bob"Batley have sold out of adult tickets , dont know how many you sent us , we can still pay on the gate tho , see ya tomorrow Radio leeds interview JK www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0476bd4'" If you want to book in advance you can still ring the Leeds ticket office and collect the tickets when you get to the ground. Don't know if you still get a couple of quid off or whether that ends on the day of the game. Obviously you can pay on the gate too. Looking forward to this game, can't remember the last time we played Batley!

Quote ="batley... bob"Batley have sold out of adult tickets , dont know how many you sent us , we can still pay on the gate tho , see ya tomorrow Radio leeds interview JK www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0476bd4'" If you want to book in advance you can still ring the Leeds ticket office and collect the tickets when you get to the ground. Don't know if you still get a couple of quid off or whether that ends on the day of the game. Obviously you can pay on the gate too. Looking forward to this game, can't remember the last time we played Batley!

Unique opportunity for Batley to play at Headingley and in front of a 10k+ crowd.

If this were the challenge cup we'd see a 5-6k gate so this will be a great night for them.

But we should win by 60.

Please post that again in 12 months time

Another shower of s*** performance, penalty count must be 10-2 in there favour, we really have no need to be this ill disciplined against this standard

Another treat for the connoisseur.

Wasn't the best game by far and we didn't really perform but job got done and Cobb's officiating was poor again made the game even worse.

First timer for me tonight. First time ever nodded off at a game. Missed the first Hall try. 39th season of watching Leeds, and this is without doubt the poorest quality side I have seen in that time. There have been times with worse players, but the rugby never has bad.

This was our strongest side as well, allegedly.