I have to disagree with this part.

Some of the kids have taken their opportunities and are really blossoming. Lilley, in particular, looks the real deal. Though they will need to protect him defensively that is my lowest priority for a half. Handley has really taken this opportunity and built on last year's form. He ought to retain his place whether the brittle Briscoe (T) or off form Hall come back. And I think Golding gave a fantastic, brave, display last night.

The only young player struggling is Sutcliffe and if McGuire were fit we might be able to take him our of the firing line

We simply don't know whether Baldwinson could flourish in this environment because he hasn't been given the opportunity.

Frankly, I'd be chucking more of them in if we're destined for the middle 8s. I've seen what Achurch has to offer and it makes me sick to the stomach to watch it. Let's see what the young back rowers in our Academy have to offer, given the opportunity.

If a bit of adversity could damage a young player then I am not sure they are cut out for the sport.

Exactly.

Transition was always going to be a huge problem for Leeds because of the number of key players retiring or moving on at the same time. There's several more who will be exiting over the next couple of seasons too like McGuire, Burrow and JJB. These are players associated with the era of success who came through the Leeds academy ranks at more or less the same time.

Apart from a mere handful of players over the last decade, the academy hasn't produced a great deal of talent that might replace the incumbents and I'm not seeing much academy talent emerging any time soon who will replace all those exited or heading for the exits.

The club (along with a number of acolyte fans who have been keen to share the gospel according to GH over the years) have been at the forefront of criticising other SL clubs for attempting to buy success. The patronising, salary cap embracing ideology emanating from CEO Central is that SL clubs ought to invest in their academies and think long term like Super Leeds do.

Given the lack of appropriate academy talent emerging from the club and the lack of reserve grade opportunities, it'll be interesting over the coming months and during the off-season to note whether the CEO's ideology and legendary parsimonious policies will be maintained? Or will he bow to the pressure of reduced season ticket sales and go on a spending spree (including several trips to Oz) in order to fill all those gaping holes in the current squad, of which there are many?

Interesting times ahead.

watkins? just dont get the hype, how does he play for england?!

Something is wrong with him this season, he doesn't look right at all.Keinhorst, a makeshift centre is looking like the better player right now.For me, when Moon is fit if he keeps playing this way he wouldn't even get in the Leeds team.

Perhaps the current situation is not to Watkins liking?

What do I mean by that? Perhaps he's the type of player who looks great when the rest of the team is playing well and working as a well-oiled unit. And perhaps he's not the kind of player who relishes a scrap or a struggle of any kind.

In other words, if a game of RL was a trifle, he'd be at the front of the queue skimming off all the cream when things are going great. However, he lacks motivation, disappears up his own @rse, makes loads of mistakes and then whinges at others when things aren't rosy. You wouldn't want the flat-track bully alongside you in the trenches.

His form doesn't merit current selection. He's been awful. I also think he should be dropped. But dropped where? How does he get his form back? His motivation back? There's no reserve grade.

Well of cause he is, he's a classy centre not a grafting hard prop forward, he's a lead guitarist not the rytham section,

He is however a very poor player this year.

For all those screaming for us to calm down, I will remind you that 2010 was considered a bad season, worthy of changing the whole coaching staff and the way we play. In that season we finished 4th and got to the CC final.

By comparison this year has been a total disaster.

I wonder how many idiots were calling for more time then?

In 2010 we also only narrowly lost the World Club Challenge to a side who were subsequently stripped of the title, and got into position to have a home playoff to get to the Grand Final - the equivalent of coming in the top two this year.

Probably less idiots than who said McDermott should leave after how the 2014 season ended as we'd struggle badly in 2015.