Quote: Andy Gilder "In terms of raw ability, the 16/17 year old forwards in the Academy are the best crop we've seen in some time.
The likes of Smith, Oledzki, Jordan-Roberts, Whiteley, McConnell, Sutcliffe are all among the best players in the country at their age group. It's up to the club now to help them take that next step.
Really like the look of Tom Holroyd in the 16s as well, big lad for a first year at that level with decent skills too.
The outside backs still worry me a bit, there's nothing really in the 19s worth persisting with - maybe Nathan Waring who is in his first year - but if we can retain the players we have then that's not an area of immediate need.'"
Exactly. And in the under 16's, the actual 15 year olds we have taken on are unbelievable, and the best around. Hence why I had a go at Juan Cornetto yesterday for trying to make out our scouts were a problem. You already mentioned Tom Holroyd. But the others from Siddal bar one, who I won't say names. are also extremely good. Siddal have been beating everyone in that age group for last three years. My lad plays that age group. Corey Johnson and Henry Mitchall are really good players too.
Then the under 16's have McConnell, who are own Seth on here has developed excellently, and I just can't see how a professional club could fail to take him to the top.
The under 19's has been a joke for a few years though, and I feel for the second year ones there, who have not had the development they should have had, whilst we still messed about with the poor third years. The new first years though in the main are excellent. Interesting though that they have taken Tom Schofield on now in that first year batch just recently. Me personally have always rated him, and always been impressed when seen him play. However, he was rejected from scholarship from Castleford and regularay the scape goat of their defeats, and told he wasn't big enough to play professional. I hope Leeds get success with this gamble, as I like the lad.
