Without wishing to wind up saints fans, I think this season could be Ryan's best so far.

If, as seems likely, JP is to be rested more, I can really see Bailey stepping out of his shadow and leading the pack in a big way. In fact, I think the Leeds pack will have a massive year, they look leaner, meaner & fitter which will mean that Big Ryan's third man tackles will be even more devastating than they were last time out. I actually think his tackling technique has improved - in fact he could be a reasonable outside bet for MOS.

Ryan Bailey for Man Of Steel, you heard it here first...........................................................................and probably last.

Bailey needs a good season and he certainly ended the last one in fine form.

Will he threaten the try line this season? Always an interesting side issue for me.

"Outside bet for MOS" Am i missing the sarcasm..You've got to be kidding right....?

I like Bailey, he is solid in defence and a lot of his hard work goes unnoticed but he hasn't got the footwork nor physical strength to compete for MOS or to carry our pack.

Places in the Leeds pack are like gold dust this season. With Ali, Eastwood and Diskin likely to take up 3 bench spots week after week I can see Bailey not getting into double figures in appearances.

Footwork? James Graham has dainty footwork? He's hardly a Jason Robinson is he. (N.B See what I did with the colour

)

While we're on the topic, where's Bailey's boyfriend gone? By that I mean Bloodbath.

Great forwards need a bit of footwork. These days its not all about up the jumper straight up the middle. Peacock and Graham have the ability to step before hitting the defence whilst still been able to have a good leg drive.

IMO he will be lucky to be making the grade this season, IMO he wont make the 17 in most matches:

P 8 - Kylie Leuluai
P 10 - Jamie Peacock

Int - Luke Burgess
Int - Greg Eastwood
Int - Matt Diskin
Int - Ali Lauitiiti

The choice when one of the above gets injured is between Bailey, Kirke and Amor.

I think that will depend on the job that needs doing. Bailey offers something slightly different to Burgess. Defensively Bailey is excellent, when in form, having that bit of extra agility. Burgess offers more go-forward (see GF 09) and can make a good impact, but his defence is still shaky if people don't run straight at him, and his ball retention is not all it might be.

Besides which, I would envisage the big forwards rotating around quite a lot, so the hypothetical "first choice 17" might not take to the field all that often.

I suspect Bailey will struggle to make a fully fit Leeds 17 and that, unfortunately for us, Leeds will be a more formidable outfit as a result.

Does anybody know when his contract runs to?

Finishes at the the end of this iirc. Doubt he will get a new contract unless he has a big year, so this may be the year that he does make an impact if he is playing for a contract.

Would you prefer to see Bailey coming off the bench than Diskin? Having a two hooker system means we have three big guys rather than four coming off the bench. The TV commentators picked up repeatedly last year on Leeds' ability to bring on not only size but also experience from the bench.

That is a very astute point and especially in the tougher fixtures the 'big four bench' would be my preference, injuries permitting.

Oh don't get me wrong, he's no lightweight, but he isn't the same dynamic ball carrier Burgess is. He is, as I said, a much better defender than Burgess though. Bailey is also a bit dirty, in the right sort of way (regardless of what other fans will tell you) and does a lot of the dirty work that needs doing but isn't always appreciated. All teams need some of that kind of player. I think a lot of people overlook that side of the game when comparing players, but it's a quality you don't win trophies without.

If he plays every week like he did in the latest GF win over you lot, then yes you have got a lot to worry about.

We all know the real reason why you lot don't like him. Your cards are marked.

I hope he plays in all the big games, but he won't. Doubt he'll get another contract either unless he's on buttons.

Don't we have this convo every pre season about Bailey? Last year I think some suggested he should leave.

By big games do you mean finals???

This may be of interest to you:

In every cup we've won since 2004 (GF/WCC's etc) he has played in every one of them.

Speaks volumes to me.

'doubt he'll get another contract' - how many times have I heard before? YAWN.

If only we had the steel and power of Hargreaves and Clough.



The professionalism of Graham. Who cowardly tried a cheap shot in the last drive of the last GF. Standing 5m offside to target him, Bailey bounced him straight off.

And what about that Mary fella?? You know that guy with the dribbling nose??? He's been hiding for last few seasons.

If only we had the pack that Saints have.



Put wood in hole on way out love.

You tell em BB

Yet another season where our own fans, let alone opposition write off Ryan.

I expect it will be yet another season where they're all proven clueless by the coaching staff who will continually select him in the 17.

As for our fans rating Burgess above him it shows their complete lack of comprehension. I don't wish to turn this into a bash Burgess thread as both players are different and have different skills sets but Burgess still needs to work on his ball retention and concrete feet before he's near Ryan in the pecking Order.

Having said that, with Peacock and Kylie's ages Bailey and Burgess will, hopefully be the cornerstones of our pack for future years. opposition fans and our own fekkwitts will still slate Bailey but we will still keep on winning with him as an integral part of the pack.

I'm intrigued as to the meaning of this phrase? I get the feeling i'll like it and will want to steal it for myself.

It means to shut the door.

Correct pronunciation.

"Pu t'wood in t'oil."

Or more speciaifcally, why Mary Fa'asavalu doesn't like him.

I said this before reading your last post BB. Schoolboy error.