What about Jay Pitts ?

I agree, what about him?

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Two of Ablett, Jones-Buchanan and Clarkson to start (rotation?), one of Lauitiiti, Hauraki from the bench when they're available fitness wise.

As Leeds aren't exactly flush with centres I'd leave Delaney there this season with Watkins/Smith on his wing.

Team selection is finally getting interesting - until the next round of injuries kick in.

For me its Ablett and Delaney starting with JJB on bench to lift the tempo and workrate. Ali 4th in line when fit, with Clarkson 5th (which is basically 4th with Ali's fitness record).

Thats if we are going into a final. McD has got to rotate that bunch. Once McGuire has a few games under his belt lets give Kev a rest, we've got the personnel to cover loose. This years SL will be won with the squad is fresher come October - we have the pack to make that happen.

Rest 'key players' only if forced has always been my way of thinking. One game a week shouldn't be a hardship and is probably what the players need to keep in good nick.

Sinfield is most definitely in that category. Not sure he'd appreciate the gesture.

Having to deal with lots of injuries at the same time (as we've done this season, with no props whatsoever at one point), will always leave you with the "problem" of fitting people in when they get back. The "replacements" have the opportunity to put the work in to earn a place.

Case in point, Carl Ablett. Ablett has been on our books years and has definitely benefited from us picking up injuries. It's only recently that people have started saying he'd be one of the first names on the team sheet. The question is, has he improved so much that he's now worthy of a 1-13 spot, or has he always been not far off but has more recently been given the opportunity to prove it?

Ablett is one of those players that probably wouldn't be where he is now, had he not spent the majority of his first 6 years at the club filling in for injuries. He played each of his '07 SL games as a Sub, and the majority of '08 as a sub or in the centre. The versatility of the kid has meant he's been able to provide cover for injured SR, Centres, LFs, and even Stand Offs (by shifting Kev and playing Ablett at 13) and now he's pretty much nailed on for a starting shirt, and the people he's been covering (Ali etc) are fighting to get the spot back off him. Injuries help to build your squad by forcing people to stand up and be counted. Ablett has done a fantastic job of seizing his opportunities perfectly and well done to him for that.

If BJB were fit, and Webb were to go 4/5/6 weeks injured now, Webby would be very hard pushed to get his spot back.

Sam Tomkins the same. Tim Smith's injury is the reason Tomkins was thrown in at the deep end, and Smith never got his shirt back either.

Ali gets back into the squad for what reason. His form prior to his injury was poor. Is he picked on the back of previous year's performances?

Delaney was recruited as a centre! We're now saying that we pick him as an SR. Does anyone else see the sheer desperation of that move. If Delaney moved into SR then Ablett has to play centre.

Hauraki has not had the best of starts and his performances do not merit inclusion in the squad.

Jay Pitts, how highly does McD rate him?

That leaves Ablett, JJB and Clarkson which doesn't give McD too many options.

Perhaps when you consider Ablett didn't make his full Leeds debut until 2008 (a Leeds SL record wait from debut to full debut of almost four seasons) then perhaps the above observation isn't quite as remarkable as it first appears.

Good post though all the same.

Not this again!



Short answer is no. No I don't.

Sign him as what you like, if we have LEARNT that he fits into our squad better, and makes more impact as a second row, then that is where he shall play.


[i"In reality 'learning' and 'change' are synonymous. Change is not an issue if it makes sense to and is 'owned' by those involved, rather than being arbitrarily imposed."[/i

Being.

Classic Wheels.

Who do you have at centre to replace him numb nuts!