It's bit of a stretch to call Quinlan an NRL regular Gotcha. And didn't they bring McDonnell back over rather than him already being here? If I recall they also gave a young kid called Bailey a go but deemed him not ready.

I take your point on this year though, they've had three or for make debuts and look solid, but I would add that they also added the likes of Owens and Fages to their squad, who originally weren't seen as first choice but are experienced SL players.

For what it's worth I wouldn't go for a loan, trust the youth, and if thou think about it, with the hole we are in do you think a player that is only going to be here a month is going to put 110% in?

The point is though, they have had more injuries than us this year, and in the backs, but are not looking for loan signings. Last night should have shown to all what can happen. Wingers are two a penny, some better than others, but not an essential position to worry about backing your academy players.

And on Quinlan he was 22 years old when he came over to Saints on a short term contract, and had played 25 NRL games. We sign 26 year olds with less games than that.

No they aren't and neither are Leeds so what's your problem? That one fan started a thread suggesting we look at getting one and that's your whole basis for your Saints have more faith than us whine.

Before you start digging one of your massive holes again where you get all defensive in an hissy fit, I will give you the chance to either show one post here where I have even come close to saying Saints have more faith, or allow you to retract that silly comment.

Read posts, it will help you so much.

This is where some poor junior recruitment over the last 3-4 years comes home to roost.

In terms of options for outside backs in the 19s, you're looking at Billy McDermott, Tommy Brierley and Ryan Jones. Realistically, only Jones is even remotely close to the required standard but there's issues over his size. Otherwise you're looking at first years like Alex Sutcliffe for whom it's way too early.

Billy McDermott should have been got shot of two years ago, he is rubbish and never looked the standard. Unfortunately a favour due to the fall out with Barrie. Jones and Brierley could easily step up for a wing position if need be. Brierley won't make it, but can fill in if required.

Was the fact we gave the youth development job to Barrie a mistake at the time?

I think its crazy to expect that we have 3/4 players for each position sat in reserve and in the youth spots. Fact is there isnt a place for a winger at Leeds for another 3/4 years, even as first reserve. We have two outstanding wingers there in Briscoe and Hall, and a player with huge potential in Handley, another in Golding needing game time. A 19 year old winger right probably isnt going to get to 2nd reserve for maybe 2 years (or 21) and probably isnt going to be 1st choice for 3/4 years at best (23)

Personally i think having 2 international quality wingers, plus a future one in reserve, is about as good as we can be.

So what do you do if a Manfredi emerges from the academy system?

If you have him, keep him of course, but im not sure we need to worry if we dont.

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And where is there something saying they have more faith? Or are you accepting you were wrong?

No-one expects to have ready made replacements of the same quality as the missing players.

Fact is though, when it comes to outside backs in particular the players that Leeds have to bring in are below the standard of those at Wigan or Saints for example. Jack Spedding is light years ahead of the likes of Brierley or McDermott, despite being at the same stage of their development.

Maybe so, but id take Handley over Dawson or Owens. Im not sure that anything between leeds and saints gets decided by the respective qualities of their 4/5th choice wingers.

Im not too upset if Brierley or McDermott are terrible because unless they are very very very good, they arent having a career at Leeds anyway.

But it's an issue if you have to resort to loan signings, as per the start of this thread.