I see Golding has been given the number 1 shirt and is McDermott's preferred option for the position - Where does that leave Sutcliffe/Burrow?

To run a reserve side you need upwards of 40 players and a fixture every week to give those FT players match fitness - how many reserve sides are there?

Squad numbers and academy players all up to date.

what about keeping on some of the young 19/20 year olds who get binned off early as there is no more junior age groups beyond 19's? a mix of them and the fringe players, players returning from injuries and maybe introducing some of the younger lads to at times to get experience of playing against men under less pressure. It worked in the past...

The bigger point for me was how many games are they going to play?

If that is only 8-10 a year it isn't sufficient - how many other sides have reserve teams?

IMO the sport is crying out for an Alliance league or equivalent with games being played prior to first grade fixtures where applicable at least across the heartlands.

Think Wigan played 8 games spread over 23 weeks.

Agree with that

I wouldn't be surprised to see Sutcliffe starting at FB still. Maybe they have him lined up to take over the 6 or 7 shirt in 12 months time so have kept him at 14 for the time being.

Can't see him being out of the starting 13 so if Golding does start at FB then it'll be McGuire & Sutcliffe halves with Burrow on the bench and reverting to substitute hooker like he was in 2015.

Apparently so.

The squad doesn't inspire.

The half backs last year (via lots of different combinations) didn't do the job. Stuttered all year.

And that pack is average at best, with no real threat or decent second phase.

Leeds' three quarters are by far our strongest threat. But I don't think the halves are good enough to service them, that goes for the forwards too.

Can't see what this same squad can do that vastly different to get things back on track. Even with an improved injury run, can't see that being a significant difference maker.

Unless McGuire, Cuthbertson, Hall, Delaney, Singleton, Galloway all improve ten fold (all had poor seasons in 2015).

I used to enjoy going to the odd A/team reserve games, especially if one or two first team players turned out, usually coming back from long term injury.

I think Sutcliffe has earned his shot hopefully the coach will repay his versatility with a chance to cement his place in the side

Me too. There used to be a good turn out as well at many of the games. I like the idea of playing reserves before the first team games though.

Not without good reason though. He'll have to buck some established historical trends to make it in a Leeds shirt.