Yeah, lets buy someone. It worked for us in the 80s and 90s so well.

Watkins is a kid. He's going to have to learn when to try fancy stuff and when not to. It's called judgement and will take some time to develop. Gibson may or may not be any kind of long-term solution, but I was one of those writing off JJB some years ago as an injury prone sub standard player, so I'm willing to give him a go for a while as well.

Does anyone really think the performance of our right centre had any bearing whatsoever on our inept display today?

I mean, really?

But isn't that what clubs do when they lose first team players when they haven't a replacement ready to step up from the reserves/academy? Where do you think Webb, Donald, Senior, Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Lauitiiti, Toopi and Ellis came from. The key is to identify the areas that need strengthening and doing something about it when you have to. Right now it's a bit late to start addressing the squad for 2009 but whose fault is that? If Leeds have to put their hand in their pocket to make something happen now then they only have themselves to blame. The SL is still there to be won and yesterday helps in that regard but it might still take a bit of tinkering with the squad to do it.



So you made a mistake with JJB who nevertheless was beset by terrible luck with injuries. Did Leeds shrug their shoulders and do nothing or did they recruit while he was unavailable?

Personally would use Gibson as cover on the wings or centre, Watkins at centre smith on the wing.

I dont think smith will do well at centre full time or Gibson.

Sad thing is, yes they do.

Smith on the wing eh, which wing would that be. Hall is having a great season so far so that only leaves the other side and i cant see bluey dropping Donald

Had Watkins been playing the scoreline would have been even higher. And there was nothing in attack that Gibson could have done better.

If you think Watkins would have defended better you are deluded.

Pretty much agree about Gibson.

Thing is though Smith looks like hes off to Rugby Union.

Another poster goes on about how Toopi was average at best..but I know who i'd rather have playing in the centres right now out of a fully fit Toopi,Gibson and Watkins.

Our only threat out wide yesterday was Senior and if he isn't retiring at the end of this season,he probably will at the end of next season.

Very disappointing and the final score flattered us big style

That would be daft, but as one of many threads it's a legitimate topic of discussion. We had a game plan that went up the middle. It hasn't worked well - especially against Saints who handled it effortlessly. The game plan seems to be dictated by what we have as attacking options and at the moment we have very little out wide.

I wouldnt say great season personally, he lacks pace and cuts inside and holds up far too often for me.

i think we're wasting Donald out on the right.

I agree that Donald looks lost on the right. less than half the player he has been before

Couldn't agree more, difficult for any threequarter to shine when the pack is on the back-foot. Whilst Bailey may have made a difference (but may have been a liability), we sorely miss Ellis' wide runs - a role that would have certainly fallen to Eastwood. If we can be contained down the middle (which Saints have on both occasions this season) then other than Ali, we have no other threat.

It also seems the club got it wrong in deciding to not directly replace Toopi (once again more evident without Ellis). Ablett is too slow in the centre, Smith (despite being a class player) isn't a centre (and will probably have left the club before the end of the season) & I dont think either Gibson or Watkins are ready for being played week in week out at this stage. Credit to Keith, he's having a great season but if he were to get injured we'd be worryingly weak in the backs, certainly not champion material.

Hopefully there's something up Hetheringtons magic sleeve.....

Kind of agree. He looks lost, but I'm not sure if it has anything to do with him been on the right flank. Fair enough, there's no way he's seeing the quality of ball that he's had from Senior over the last couple of seasons, but the truth is he's not looking for it either. His kick returns have been nothing but dull (he's hardly got out of second gear, in more ways than one), I don't expect one of his 'specials' every week, but i want to see him picking those holes in broken play and attacking them. We haven't seen have many scoots from the hooking position (after a general kick down field), so his work ethic has to be questioned, as well as his application. We are seeing handling errors from him, letting balls bounce and not finishing the tricky scores we know he can produce. I'm annoyed by his lack of form, he's Super Leagues premier winger on his day (highlighted by his try ratio and inclusion in the Dream Team for the last two seasons). I feel his future or other circumstances are effecting him, so putting it down to him playing on the right doesn't wholey ring true to me. Wingers, more than any other position, are confidence players, they need to be scoring. He seems to love scoring against the Bulls (and game breaking scores at that), so a hat-trick there couldn't come at a better time. Will the real Scott Donald please stand up.

Absolutely agree. The guy has been pish poor this season, and if we had the backup he should not be in the team.

It is quite obvious that Senior is the reason he has looked so good for a couple of seasons.

We can now see why a player with such a fantastic scoring ratio in the NRL never came close to state of origin or why other NRL clubs were not queing up for his signature.

This is not knee jerk, because its been the same for all game this season. He has the heart of a pea. Rarely chases balls, and looks uncomforble under high balls himself.

That said, I thought he had his best game of season yesterday (which is not much). If it takes moving him outside Senior again to get his previous two seasons form back, then that is what should happen quickly.

Nail. hit. on. head.