I'd agree with that.

Those 4 clauses just don't seem realistic for him to fulfill however.

Subtle "A" team reference.

If the cup final were tomorrow and you had to select either Clarkson or Eastwood, ignoring accents, background and reputation who would you select based upon recent form?

Has to be the easiest decision ever.

Clarkson. Every time.

Eastwood may throw a miracle offload to setup the winning score, but the hard graft that the likes ofClarkson, JJB and Ablett put in for the majority of the match is what actually wins the game for me

Yup.

Clarkson is literally putting his blood and sweat into the mix.

I cannot say the same about Eastwood.

Away from performance. I really like Clarksons demeanour. Reminds me of Hall. Very humble and appreciates the opportunity they have and they are rewarded with a place on the team sheet. Just shows that hard work and the internal drive to improve is still there.

While Senior supplies Hall, Clarkson packs down with some greats........

Hallmark moment really.

True, although having a genuine game-breaker like Lauititi in the team is no bad thing, assuming he's fit. Given a full squad, only 2 of JJB, Ablett, Clarkson and Lauititi can start. If we say, for the sake of argument, it was Ablett and JJB, and Buderus, Peacock and Bailey start (forwards are a bit interchangeable when it comes to bench spots vs starting spots, but you get the idea) the 4 bench spots would presumably then include 4 from:
Clarkson
Lauititi
Burgess
Leuluai
Diskin
Eastwood

Somebody is going to be unlucky enough to miss out. Eastwood looks to have a lot of ground to make up on some of the others if it's going to be him, because I'd always have a fully fit Lauititi in the team for a big match. Would a bench of Lauititi, Diskin, Leuluai and Clarkson be too light in the front row?

Glad I'm not a coach.



With the likes of Kirke, Ambler, Pitts etc waiting in the wings, you can kind of see why replacing Eastwood like-for-like might not be Darth's #1 priority.

Easy on present form - providing no injuries......Bailey, Buderus, Peacock, JJB, Clarkson, Sinfield to start with (on the bench) : Smith, Ali, Eastwood/Lleulai or even Ambler, Ablett.

...and no I'm not forgetting Burgess or Diskin.

Nah!!! I take it back. Glad I'm not the coach after tonight's commited display epitomised by Kirke's SECOND wonder tackle of the season. That alone now puts him at the top of my list at the moment.

Clarkson, had another wow of a game against Castleford, imo, will be named the YEP shooting star and young player of the season award. Could have thrown his name in the hat for SL young player, but could have just fallen short, should be there or there abouts next season! no need to replace Eastwood for a second rower because he fits all the bills at the moment the way he his playing. One of our form players.

Agree. Great try too.

He and Ambler have been the finds of this season ...and it again IMO highlights more the need for a top quality specialist centre rather than a forward.

It's a tough one, I'd say the following are pretty safe on having a wembley spot:

1. Webb
2. Smith
3. Delaney
4. Senior
5. Hall
6. McGuire
7. Burrow
8. Bailey
9. Buderus
10. Peacock
11.
12. JJB
13. Sinfield

14. Leuleui
15.
16.
17.

So we have a second row spot and 3 substitute spots to fight for between Diskin, Ablett, Clarkson, Kirke, Eastwood, Lautiiti and Burgess. Burgess appears to be out of the equation now. So 6 players are fighting for, four spots.

There is also a mini battle between Donald, Smith and Delaney for there position, however I feel Bluey favours Smith over Donald at the moment and he didn't let us down last saturday.

Not letting us down is not much of a compliment...



Smith def looked better on that right wing than at left centre tonight. However if Donald gets the nod then I would still def give Smith one of the bench spots. That leaves it too light if Diskin takes another. Clarkson is better starting than on the bench; Eastwood wasn't as convincing as Ali was tonight for one of the other bench spots. Ablett deserves a place but then Kirke showed his worth tonight too. Tricky indeed.

(Forgive the pedantry but it's [itheir[/i not [ithere[/i)

IMO we haveto play 3 running forwards on the bench, and Buderus has proved to be very effective when spelled so he has to make the tough decision to drop SMith or Donald. I'd always find a place in my line up for Smith somewhere so unfortunately Donald has to make way for me - I thought it was a very brave but correct call in the semi

Not too much to decide for me:
Webb
Smith/Donald (I'd play Smith)
Delaney
Senior
Hall
McGuire
Burrow
Leuluai/Bailey
Buderus
Peacock
JJB
Ablett
Sinfield

Diskin
Bailey/Leuluai
Lauitiiti
1 of Eastwood, Clarkson, Kirke

I'm going to go against popular opinion and say I'd probably leave Clarkson out. I'd expect both JJB and Ablett to play a lot of minutes and I think Clarkson is a similar player who benefits from playign long spells bt doesn't add much impact. I don't think, despite his good form, he is a better player than the the other 2 and I think it's important to maintain some balance.

I also think we'd benefit from having strike players in what I'd expect to be an open game, so at the risk of being slaughtered by the masses I'd probably go with Eastwood.

I'd start Leuluai and bring Bailey on from the bench to avoid having Ali, Eastwood and Kylie on and defending together.

If Peacock is injured I'd be tempted to spell Kirke at prop and still leave Clarkson out, who will have many games of this magnitude to come hopefullyin his Leeds career.

I wouldn't have played Burgess even before his injury.

I think what this discussion shows is that at the moment we have fairly good strength in depth, especially when everyone is fit.

Does everyone think JJB is deserving of a dead cert spot in the team, he seems to always make errors and commit penalties when I see him, I'm probably been too harsh.

I have changed my mind. Eastwood should only start if we have a prop problem and we use him there (please let Peacock be okay

). He seems to be coated in teflon, because he doesn't stick to anyone when he tackles. He's also very unfit. Clarkson by plenty, with Ali on the bench as well.

He is guilty of brain farts but does perform in the big games and has a high work-rate and imo that gets him the spot.

A couple of nice cameos apart Eastwood was poor last night, again.

I thought that. With a fit ALi I would go with Clarkson and probably Kirke over Eastwood at the moment

Eastwood and Ali were both poor last night. But if they're both fit to play they will.

On the money again mate.

Curse of 'the work shy Show Pony' strikes again.

KAPOW!!!

I was just pleased to see Lauitiiti get some game-time in and not leave the field injured (unless I missed it)

Clarkson again was very solid.

Clarkson is already a good player. The sooner he's given a chance in a final the better in my book.

Given that Peacock and Biffa are ruled out i reckon Bluey will go with......
Webb
Smith
Delaney
Senior
Hall
Mcguire
Burrow
Bailey
Buderus
Leuleui
Clarkson
Ablett
Sinfield

Diskin
Jjb
Ali
Eastwood(reserve prop).
I'm loathe to include Eastwood and i would love to see Ambler given the shirt but i don't think it will happen.