So why give him the no.9 shirt...AND a FOUR year contract ??

That is damn unfair on the lad....he could be playing for a different club now if he isn't considered good enough at Headingley.

As others have stated (DHM ?) McShane was looking pretty good when given a few matches on the run last season. Indeed some stated he could be the new K.Cunningham !! He was then very much out of favour and could even be suffering a continued personal vendetta. Why select him for the bench and then leave him there ? Cannot be doing much for his confidence.

I certainly wouldn't have Burrows playing

The most relevant point is that effectively yes this is a friendly.

I did say I was considered reckless......but if Chisholm is really not good enough for a first team squad number then again why give it to him ? This game might be the making of him: there is nothing really at stake here.

They had little really choice with Buderus - once Bennett went to Newcastle Buderus was off.

Hood is even less ready the McShane - potentially Hood is the better prospect IMO

The public position was that Leeds had a player with an existing playing contract for 2012 and a player who entirely appreciated the difficult position he had put the club in by asking for a release and if the release couldn't be granted he would honour that commitment.

Do you know any different?

If a player wants to leave which Buderus did there is no future keeping them regardless of contract - the club is no respecter of contracts so you can hardly expect the players to be different. Buderus didn't want to be at Leeds if he did he would never have asked for a release?

Webb;
BJB, Watkins, Hardaker, Hall;
Sinfield, McGuire;
Bailey, McShane / Hood, Peacock;
Ablett, Jones-Buchanan;
Clarkson.

Burrow, Griffin, Leuluai / Moore, Delaney.

I don't think Buderus wanted away from Leeds as such although he clearly wanted to take up an (unexpected?) opportunity when it arose in Newcastle.

Buderus said he appreciated the difficult position he was putting his employers in and that if a release was not possible he would honour his existing playing contract for 2012.

Do you think if Leeds had turned down the request the player would have given anything less than his usual 100% commitment?

Buderus was WORLD class, playing in the most important position in modern RL. Unfortunately we don't have a world class no.9 at the moment.

It wasn't that long ago he was a 'waste of money' for some, he was a huge part in our success last season.

Sinny to play 9 on friday for my money.

I'd go with:
Webb
BJB
Watkins
Hardaker
Hall
McGuire
Burrow
-----------
Griffin
Sinfield
Peacock
Jones Buchanan
Delaney
Ablett

Subs: McShane, Leuluai, Moore, Bailey
Maximum impact from the start, and big hitters from the bench, i think we should try Sinny at hooker because McShane for me isn't experienced enough to start and i think we need speed at half back.

I doubt he would have been the same player with Leeds as he will be with Newcastle - mentally I think he would have found the year at Leeds tough especially the training. I bet he is really up for the challenge at Newcastle