There's no rush with Lilley, he's still got another year in the 19's, and has a lot of work to do to in the gym to get himself ready for regular first team RL. At this stage it's vital he's honing his craft and starting regularly in the halves. He isn't going to get much time in the first team so he'd be far better turning out for the 19s or Hunslet. That leaves us with 3 halves, one is still unproven, and returning from a serious injury that has seen several players of the last few years return significantly inferior to the players they were prior to their injury(Diskin, Gibson, Mathers). The other 2 halves will be 33, 1 of whom won't have been a starting halfback for 4 or 5 years.
To me, signing a halfback seems like common sense given the current situation.

It would help if the he was subbed when clearly struggling after 15 minutes but as we know our Coach loves his "machines" even when they are in need of an MOT.

Until last night I was of the opinion that we did not need an additional half back, however, after McGuires display that has changed. His lack of game management and petulance were painfully exposed. We need a half back with some guile that mixes a probing passing and kicking game when the pack is on the back foot. McGuire has neither of these attributes to the required standard and Sutcliffe although promising is not ready to assume that role.
We now need 1. A high quality hooker 2. Controlling half back 3. A dynamic back row as Delaney, Ablett and Ward are all similar players and last but not least a decent assistant coach.

That is a bit of a big jump isn't it? Where has anyone said he isn't ready? People have talked about control, game management. McGuire has played for years, he doesn't have it, Burrow has played for years, he doesn't have it. We need it, but you think we should rely on Sutcliffe to just have it.

I'd rather Sutcliffe be given the chance to show he can do it, without having Sinfield lurking over his shoulder off the bench waiting to come and snatch the reins off him mid-game.

So yes I'd happily go into next season with him as first choice stand-off, if the alternative is he gets farmed out to some backwater on loan where Leeds lose control of his development and we get some short-term signing in his place.

I think we all agree we need to sign a hooker as straight replacement for Aiton. The half back debate I don't see as something that would hinder Sutcliffe's development. For the four spots in the 17 we have McGuire, Sutcliffe, burrow and new hooker. Out of those, if we signed another half, I see burrow being the first to drop out. Not Sutcliffe.

I agree it shouldn't be some old timer here for a couple of seasons it needs to be some here to stay and to eventually replace McGuire and burrow. Someone like Brierly or Widdop.

The last two seasons we've had spells without Aiton or burrow through injury and it has really affected us. I don't think it would be fair to give Lilley the job of "first reserve" after just a few games this season. I think strength in depth is is lacking in our creative roles and it wouldn't be a bad thing to sign another half as long as he fits the bill. Emergency bbuy is deff not neccissary.