Spot on, it's a ridiculous line that people use with little to no thought, care or idea about the physical demands on the body and how much developing the bodies of 17/18 years old players still need to do.

You're not so bad after all...

As a parent to a 18 year old who is similar in stature to Walker, I know that whilst he can run around me all day long, if I were to snot him he'd really know about it. We are talking about the same thing here, just on people who are fitter and do this for a living.

I know I moan about the club a fair bit, and I think it's deserved, but the way they are handling Walker including the contract stuff, seems pretty spot on to me.

Ive only seen them on telly or when you play us (Cas) , but Walker looks a much better player already. Not sure how you will manage them both after giving Golding a long term deal. Walker could be the England full back in a few years whereas I can only see Golding been shoved on the wing or leaving for first team footy .

Walker doesn't have the positional play that leads to being a good last-line defender, but that can be taught. Maybe not by the current coaches but it can be taught. I'm not sure Golding can be coached to break a tackle.

For all of McDermott's criticism wrt to coaching attack, Golding has improved much more in defence since his early days in the side when he looked a bit similar to Walker's defence now. Add in Hardaker became the best defensive FB in the league during his time here then I actually think defence is one area that he will improve.

Walker has something you can't teach - instinct

& pace!

Fully agree Batley. The last thing we want is some thuggery to restrict Walkers confidence.

And that can go quickly with serious injuries.

Actually dont buy that, far too many players seem to accept they dont have natural pace and dont do the sprint training that could improve them (cough...Lilley...cough)

Both Frank Lampard and Christiano Ronaldo admit that they were not blessed with pace but worked to improve their acceleration relentlessly.

So no reason that Gould couldnt match Walkers pace with the required sprint training.

Walker has class that also cannot be coached into a player. Much of the attacking skills he has displayed so far have been in tight situations in the opponents half, which is why I think he would be great at stand off which is the most important position on the field. I do not know about his kicking ability but he has the eye for an opening, and the pace and confidence to go for it, the step off both feet, passing ability, all these abilities say he is a natural 6 for me.

His style reminds abit of Billy slater, the way he seems to glide across the park and then puts the step on just before the line.

Agree with Juan.....Walker looks a shoe in Stand Off. But if his personal preference is FB, he needs to work on his D.

Completely agree. Whilst I continue to be dumbfounded by McD's attacking coaching skills/use of subs (Thursday was a refreshing change in that dept - all 4 subs got good time & all contributed well), I have consistently said that his defensive coaching skills are not to be questioned, by me at least. Hardaker & Golding are a good example of that. Our left edge defence is the only occasional blip, except when playing Cas, when we appear transfixed.

For me Walker is a natural centre - his running style and awareness on the field are the skills all the great centres possess.

Centres are by far the most exciting players on field to watch - Walker is a rare talent it would be interesting to see him given a go at left centre