I am going to start with your last point, so no confusion. I agree with you here, no arguments from me. I think it is a valid point. I don't think it makes any difference, and if Jack comes back next month they would bring the contract and pen out, but regardless the point is still correct.

That sorted. Again, is this four times now, what were these so called "rumours" that meant the club had to make an official announcement? An announcement made only after a second offer made, which was later than the so called "rumours". What are they defending themselves on? Because there is nothing in that announcement that defends themselves from the so called "rumours" you state I made before that announcement, they actually confirm them.

What are they defending themselves on? I don't know maybe rumours spread by your type that ALWAYS portray them as bullies and unfair tw*ts in negotiations.

Do you honestly think you don't portray them in an awful light? Because I'll tell you now you do, you make them sound like the most cold hearted b@stards each and every time. It was embarrassing every time Hardaker f*ckef up and you came running on here to say the club has let him down with their response, You might has well have worn a I ❤️ Zak tshirt

It is no surprise that those who regularly watch the junior teams play will mingle on the touch line with members of the player's families. As such they will get to hear a one sided version of the 'unfairness' of how the apple of their eye is being treated, be it selection or non selection, lack of coaching and even confidential contract discussions.

While some of this touchline/bar room comment may well be true it should be accepted that the source will have a strong emotional bias who only wishes to pass on information that shows the club in a poor light if things are not going well for the off spring.

Basically it is a basic employer v employee situation but in sport it is very difficult for the club to satisfy all their young players individual demands as the club has has to take into account how a special deal for one player impacts on the others in the team, because first and foremost it is the overall team that is the most important thing to keep happy.

Walker is an outstanding prospect but even so has to accept that he has to be part of a team with all that that implies. The club have another fine young fullback in Golding who has made a very good start and will only become better especially as he has already shown great respect to the club and very mature professional attitude.

So really it is exactly as I said, you don't really believe what you put. You have changed course on this argument so many times now in just a few posts. The club put out it's statement to force his agent to change course, and nothing more. In doing so they hung the lad out to dry and put undue spotlight on an other player, nothing more. There was nothing out there before that announcement other than the fact an initial derisory offer was made and wouldn't be accepted. This confirmed in the club statement in pointing out it's new offer.

The club could simply have said, and quite rightly, if they wanted to put out an announcement "having made a final offer to Jack Walker the club have reluctantly accepted that it could not meet the terms requested. The club have offered an excellent deal for someone so young, a deal that we feel meets our faith in the player to progress. Unfortunately, Jack has requested terms that can not be guaranteed by the club, and has a desire to listen to offers from other cubs. We have a duty to plan our squad and budgets for next year and can not wait for an answer whilst this takes place, so we move on"

They could even had the more realistic "In an effort to appease our most gullible and worshipping supporters, we felt it best to announce this so we are not held in any fault when any player chooses to play elsewhere, and therefore we would like them to spin this into nothing but praise"

Let's be honest here mate, the club could behead your grand parents and pee down their necks, and you would still make out your grand parents deserved it.

Isn't that the very reason the Walker is going - rightly or wrongly he sees Golding as the preferred choice in a position he sees as his best opportunity to make a career out of professional RL.

Luke Gale is probably the best player in SL but he would never have got a chance at Leeds because no matter how good he was he was never going to replace one of McGuire, Burrow or Sinfield. Sometimes timing plays an important part of whether a player gets the opportunity or not.

Flip your last paragraph around, thats your take on the people in charge

Flip your last paragraph around, thats your take on the people in charge

Well Golding of course is currently the preferred choice as he has earned the No1 shirt with his performances last year in an understrength and out of form team which he followed up this year with reliable solid displays until his injury. This season Walker has shown his own skills to great effect in a much more confident team who are playing well.

But a handful of promising displays is not enough to command the first team fullback spot now and if Walker does not like the idea of having to compete with other talent to earn the shirt then he is showing a character flaw which is just as well to have been exposed now.

As you say Gale was unlikley to replace Sinfield, McGuire or Burrow because in those days he simply was not in their class. He has developed his game to his and his coaches great credit but has only become one of the best players in SL in recent times and in part due to the dearth of talent at halfback.

What surprises me about Walker is that he is rejecting the chance to play as a 6 where he could be a huge success. There is such a shortage of class in the halves that someone with his ability could rapidly become an international at a young age.

Leeds have given Golding a 5 year contract - that would suggest the club see Golding as the long term option at FB. That is all Walker has said - he sees FB as his best position - and the club have nailed their colours to the mast in Golding. The club would have serious egg on their face if they replaced Golding with Walker - it simply will not happen. So Walker is doing the right thing for him because the coach has shown how stubborn he is and that has/will affect the opportunities afforded to young players.

With regards to Gale - he could have developed quicker if he had ever got the chance - it was never going to happen and that can happen to young players.

I actually see Walker as a very classy centre but there you go.

Another thread taken over by Laurel and Hardy I see!

Gale will be exposed for the mediocre half back he really is when/if he gets to play against some decent opposition in the World Cup.

Hoping for an improvement from last autumns series, but he is in the top 2 HB options available to England