Watkins was a quality player of the highest order back then. He would have been even better today under a different coach, maybe in the NRL or something. But he is not much different today than he was back then.

I have a massive dislike of McDermott, purely based on the results and performance of his job, and how I know he handles himself around people and players.

Last season he was easily the best centre in the league. He wasn't that in 2011. Again, to say he hasn't kicked on is simply daft.

As for McDermott, your dislike of him has got nothing to do with results or performance whatsoever and you know it. For whatever reason you don't like him personally and you've never been willing to alter your opinion of him ever since he became head coach.

Well considering for his first 18 months I was one of his biggest defenders on here, I would say you have just made that up. Having met the guy only once when he offered me the opportunity to speak with him at end of season 2014, I actually also defended him leading up to last season based on him convincing me he had learnt from his previous years mstakes. Now I rate him on performance and how he handles himself, and regardless of what else you think it is, he is very poor.

If only we could find a coach who would give a young halfback a go. Look where Luke Gale came from, couldnt get in at Leeds and dropped down until someone picked him up and gave him a go. Why can't we get a coach like that.

Maybe your being sarcastic, but I'm pretty sure it was Brain who picked Gale up when he was at London (then harlequins) at the time. He's also given Lilley And Sutty goes in the halves.

He's in a lose lose situation. we go with young halves, we are likely to be in for another less than stellar season. We go out and sign the right sort of halfback, and some fans (Not specifically you) will attack him with the Mac doesn't develop youngsters stick.

No McDermott didn't give him his debut but the debate was about developing players not debuts so no not what you said. I also didn't include the injuries other three quarters had that gave him the few games he got. If you don't think he's developed since the skinny kid who lost the ball twice over the line vs Melbourne in the 2010 WCC then I don't what you're watching.




Because it was flawed and showed McDermott helped develop BJB.




So if he'd have been at Wakey or Salford he'd be in exactly the same position as he is now? Considering he's had two bad shoulder injuries and missed two preseasons in a row that he couldn't bulk up in then as soon as he got one he had a great season. I suppose other coaches would've stopped Ward getting those injuries in your world.

Wasn't it McDermott who when Ward asked to go to Australia at the end of 2014, he told him no and to knuckle down and low and behold he has his best year in 2015 and has taken over Sinfield's 13 shirt and tipped to be out next long term captain? Not bad going from the coach IMO.




They could've brought someone in when Sinfield retired, could've looked at bringing someone in for Hardaker on loan, also doesn't look like they will for next year and instead trust Sutcliffe. Picked him ahead of Sinfield a few times last year against the backdrop of criticism from fans.




Why bring Singleton into the mix on a debate about young academy players developing under McDermott??? Because he's a young academy player that's come through during McDermott's time......that's why.

How was he forced? Like Burgess, Cross, Amor or Baldwinson, if McDermott doesn't want to pick someone then he won't pick him. Maybe he didn't think Singleton was ready, who knows as we don't see them everyday like he does.

Perhaps like with other young props he doesn't think they're physically ready to be thrown in. Note all the other academy players above and the reoccurring theme.....all had serious injuries early on in their careers. What serious injuries has Singleton had? Perhaps holding him back a year or so is exactly the reason why. Also add how often we've had to play since the start of 2012 without a proper hooker and he might think a young prop doesn't have the experience to deal with the major difference of not having a hooker besides him in that middle unit.

Well Joel Moon is in the halves so congratulations Leigh on an undefeated middle 8s

That is a little harsh on Moon, but I don't understand why we haven't given Sanderson a go from the under 19s who by all accounts has been playing well. For anyone who still denies that Mcdermott doesn't give youth a chance, just look at todays team selection, we are cramming a centre in the halves in a meaningless game, rather than giving a young player a chance to show what he can do.
That Patton at Wire on the other hand has been given a chance and was one of there best players last week.

I am being sarcastic. It is crazy that people want to dump McDermott because he can't bring through young players, and also argue that we should go out and sign Luke Gale, a player McDermott brought through.

Yeah we'll forget he went with Lilley in a WCC and didn't cram someone into the halves then because of tonight. Also looking at the team selection I see Golding, Keinhorst, Sutcliffe, Singleton, Ward, Jordan-Roberts, Smith, Handley and Hallas.

I see Sky splashed out on the trophy....or got one of their employees to steal his nan's flower vase.

I'm a big fan of Moon but he is definitely not a half back as the games we've played with him there as shown. It's a shame that Sanderson didn't get a go as by all accounts he deserves it but the oldest player on the bench is Handley so we can't exactly use today's squad as a criticism on McDermott's youth policy.

Are there any senior players he has left out? He is forced to plays these guys through injury. Also Singleton Keinhorst Ward and Sutcliffe are established players.
Lilly didn't make his debut in the WCC did he? He had already played a few games in preseason (forced through Sutcliffes injury) and it would have been downright stupid not to pick him
Also Sanderson is an organising half and so would pair with Sutcliffe much better than moon

Its not necessarily the age of players that is the problem, it is that it seems that unless we are desperate Mac rarely ever give an U19s player a chance. Compare us to Wire who have given plenty of young players debuts (unforced through injury) and are better for it

Nevermind