The negative drool was to highlight a weak area in Watkins game and praise the coach for introducing a plan to help address it.

The only thing 'found' thus far was in reference to the World Cup game V Australia - where when left to defend one man in he was still on occasions prone to making rash individual decisions.

Interesting, did Brian McDermott tell you this personally that this reasoning was behind Watkins apparent move to 4th man in?

Seen as both Sinfield and Watkins were averaging 19 tackles a game in 2012 and so far in 2014 Sinfield is leading Watkins 244 (27 avg.) to 155 (17 avg. iin the tackles made depart then I dare say you're over exaggerated you're claims that Watkins defends 4th man in.

Sure you'll find occasions he does (drop-outs in particular due to Sinfield taking them I've noticed) but if you think he's doing 17 tackles a game from mostly the 4th man in I don't think will hold up.

I tend to watch the game to gather information rather than trying to interpret others subjective views as represented by Opta.

It has been noticeable that Watkins has been moved infield to fourth man in by the coach (that was the formation on the opening defensive set on Saturday) in a way that it has not been noticeable on the opposite flank with the other Leeds centre. In truth that happened to accomodate the starting half-backs on one flank allowing the starting hooker to occupy the other hide defender spot on the left and I accept there is a certain amount of flexibility between the three on the right (Watkins, Sinfield and even McGuire) to interchange.

For the opening St Helens try the ball initially moved away from Leeds' right side unit so they tracked left as they should, the ball is switched back by Roby to St Helens left and Achurch switches direction as he should - Watkins hesitates then commits inside to Achurch's man which was a mistake - Sinfield has Soliola covered and on this occasion it's McGuire who does 'a Watkins' flying in on the wrong man entirely (Soliola) when they should as a unit have been sliding out right.

Others may take a different view (while some it appears would rather we just focus on the positives - and there are plenty of those with Watkins) but if the coach isn't analysing what went wrong for that score and fixing it up then Leeds will continue to concede needless points.

Well at least we've not conceded too many needless points if the SL superleague defensive stats are to be believed.
The stats could of course be erroneous.

Translation It has been noticeable that Watkins has been moved infield to fourth man in by the coach (that was the formation on the opening defensive set on Saturday) in a way that it has not been noticeable on the opposite flank with the other Leeds centre. In truth that happened to accomodate the starting half-backs on one flank allowing the starting hooker to occupy the other hide defender spot on the left and I accept there is a certain amount of flexibility between the three on the right (Watkins, Sinfield and even McGuire) to interchange.

For the opening St Helens try the ball initially moved away from Leeds' right side unit so they tracked left as they should, the ball is switched back by Roby to St Helens left and Achurch switches direction as he should - Watkins hesitates then commits inside to Achurch's man which was a mistake - Sinfield has Soliola covered and on this occasion it's McGuire who does 'a Watkins' flying in on the wrong man entirely (Soliola) when they should as a unit have been sliding out right.

Others may take a different view (while some it appears would rather we just focus on the positives - and there are plenty of those with Watkins) but if the coach isn't analysing what went wrong for that score and fixing it up then Leeds will continue to concede needless points.'"