Well 2/3 weeks ago Sam Tomkins said he was about 4/5 weeks away.....watch him, his brother, Farrell, SOL all be right for Magic weekend.

Might sound like an excuse but sometimes just playing certain teams at certain times can have massive impact on the league (thought Hudds have landed lucky in that regard in the last couple of years). Would've loved to have played Hudds 3-4 weeks ago. Similarly give me Wigan now or last week and I think we could possibly win....watch them be back on it in a few weeks. I wish we could've played Widnes sometime after week 7/8

Again before anybody starts that's not an excuse just pointing out the little differences that can massively effect a season that you don't always appreciate because everyone casually says "well everybody plays the same team home and away"....only tells half a story that line.

We played Warrington at the best time possible, new team together and gelling. We were crap that night, which was an indicator to how the season was going to go. But some people still make out look how close we came to beating Warrington.

We weren't too bad at all that night, we looked solid in defence and controlled the game, we just couldn't execute when we got chances. Lets not forget we lost McGuire and had to re jig ourselves during the game. Still the most complete 80 minutes of the season up to now imo.

I think the worst case was Sutcliffe losing the ball on the first tackle when we were attacking their line. Watkins was worst offender with 6 handling errors with some assistance from Sutcliffe's wayward passes.

I feel sure we would have won the game had McGuire played but we had made enough chances to win as it was which in a way is a big plus on the earlier part of the season where we could create a chance for love nor money. Lets hope we can get some bodies back soon.

There are some real positives as you say in the last 3 games with good team spirit and scrambling defence and much better attack with Burrow and Lilley leading the way.

No way was it best time possible, but it was neither a bad time too. That was why I posted a thread quite critical of the preparation/attitude going into the season the next day and got slated for it....yet low and behold things proceeded to get worst.

As I said on another thread, Warrington were focused on 2016 by mid-August. We were still fighting for 2015 success until the 2nd weekend in October and then patting ourselves on the backs for several weeks after. They've got their act together now but Warrington's first few weeks after Sandow got injured was the best possible time to play them, nilled by Hudds and shocking vs Saints.

Spot in AG.

When Lilley made his first long interception break ending up in the right centre position there was no sign of lazy Watkins, in fact the supporting players were JJB and another forward while Kallum jogged up late. It is precisely this lack of effort and involvement on attack at a time when the team needs the senior players to show up that needs pointing out. He hadn't made a clean break in the last three matches and in two of those he hasn't made a tackle bust either.

Some say he should get the ball earlier but as Jon Wells pointed out he is making no effort to get into space or adopt a good running line like Keinhorst does when the young SO is struggling and needs colleagues to present a target.

Now if he too is carrying an injury which is limiting his running then I apologise but I have no knowledge of this.

A few weeks ago I plotted a path that I expected Lilley to follow - only time will tell whether that prediction comes true.

Did you place on record your view of his career path? Would you care to state or restate it here. I see him as lower reaches of SL (achieving this currently ironically with Leeds) and as opposition coaches begin to target him defensively he's still got it all to prove.



Not sure I did say the 'not a winger' comment. I did agree with you that he had some good attributes while also pointing to concerns I have had on most occasions I've seen him play 1st grade.




Yes, I do question his 'relative' bravery as it relates to playing the game - one of the toughest on the planet. Body on the line stuff, not convinced I'm seeing that yet.



Is Golding a full-back? Taking the high bomb is sort of what you require your full-back to do in those circumstances. I noted on one of his takes he needlessly jumped from the field of play and conceded a drop out when IMO the ball actually could have been taken on the full in-goal.

Does the name Nathan Graham mean anything to you - Golding under the high ball on Friday reminded me of a sunny day trip to Wembley '96



No, I would imagine you wouldn't on a single isolated drop compared to Friday. I haven't seen a lot of Golding and on this thread I asked what's his preferred position and do so again, is he a full-back?



Seventeen sounds a high number for any full-back to make - have you verified that particular stat?

Before I have a look for myself (if I still have the recording) which two were the try savers? One on ones?

Well whatever his position, and at the moment I am also unsure on fullback, he has just signed a new five year deal the other week, yet to be announced, so he needs to be staking a claim.

Give the lad a chance , no fullback in the world would have taken all those bombs , the best kicker in super league and the worst stadium to deal with them , yes he made mistakes and needs to concentrate on his positioning but i certainly do no see a lack of courage but what i do see is loads of potential

probably get shot down here but i fail to see any serious potential in Golding, especially as a full back.in no way am i blaming him for the dropped balls, you are right in your assessment there.He may prove me wrong in time we will see, i would like to see him given a go in the halves at some point though, if we end up in middle 8s that would be a chance to see what he can so there.

What is it with five year deals at Leeds?

Which reminds me...

It's been a while since Ryan Hall's latest five year deal has been announced.

Oops!

I believe the agent for Ashton, is also the agent for Hall. And indeed a couple of the first year under 19's. His advice to the under 19's was that Hall made the biggest mistake ever in signing his five year deal at Leeds, and the player has regretted it each year since. Not because he doesn't want to be here, but because when he signed it he had the world at his feet, with $400k offers from the NRL, but signed up to £95k per year with Leeds. His advice to the under 19's is, never sign a long term deal until it is one of your last. Maybe the opposite to that reasoning is exactly why Leeds do these five year deals, cheaper at younger.

95k a year, living in Leeds. Poor Ryan Hall.

What an odd story to make up