Anything above the middle 8s would be an improvement on this season.

Just hope we get off to a decent start.

Get a bit of confidence back and playing like we know we can.

Start off badly and we may just roll out the barrell of excuses again.

Al be totally honest I can't remember the last time I was this underwhelmed with the custodian of the 1 shirt. He has a long list of big boots to fill.

I had warmed to the idea of Sutcliffe getting a run there. To be honest I am not going to write the kid off, Goldings efforts have been spirited no doubt, but I've seen little to make me think he has to get a start.

What say you lot! Is he ready?

If he bulks up without losing speed he will be a decent no 1. At present he is far to lighweight to be playing first grade.

I think he has plenty of potential. He looks quick and elusive on attack but he is error prone atm. It's a big if but if he can improve his defence he could be a good replacement.
I would have been happy for Sutcliffe to carry on at fullback but either way Hardaker leaving is the best news we have had for a while. Shame it's not a permanent deal.

If your question is:

Is he ready to be thrown around like a rag doll when he has the ball? Or, Is he ready to be trampled by forwards breaking through our defensive line? Or, Is he ready to be battered under the high ball? I'd say yes to all three.

He's a game lad, and that's to be commended, but unless he can put on 2 or 3 stone and not lose any of his pace, then he's in for a tough time I think. Everyone remembers the errors a Fullback makes because they usually result in tries. It's going to be a hard season for the kid if he does indeed start as Fullback rather than just take the number 1 shirt.

I think its a brilliant move, yeah he's not up there with the likes of Brent Webb yet but how is a young kid going to get a chance only playing a handful of games per season then out on dual reg to Feath.

Give him the shirt - Done!!!!! let him play and show us what he's capable of - In progress!, if he's not superman in his first full-time first team season give him a break and let him improve. I'd like to think this is an investment for the future. He's showed flashes of what he's capable of last season in the few games he played (at Fullback) and did ok against New Zealand too! He needs the support of the fans and not putting down for every minor error (an alien concept on here i know)!!!!!

People who know more than me about the game see potential in the lad...and that's from both sides of the world. He's going to have some tough games, but I hope he's given the confidence to try and play his game. He has enough experience in the back line to help him out

He had an ace game against New Zealand, didn't he stop RTS in his tracks on our line?

Can't catch, can't tackle, won't pass. What could possibly go wrong?

He's better than he gets credit for imo & like every young player with potential he'll make errors.
I still dont think he'll start every game but im happy to back the kid.

As far as comparisons go, he's right up there with Lee Maher.

Not in my opinion. Saints might not win the GF come the end, but personally I think they will walk away with top spot in the league.

This whole notion of 'bulking up' is nonsense. He will naturally get stronger.

Look at Zak (apart from 2015 form) he is slight. Always lighter on collision but tore it up. In defence and attack.

I see what you are saying but Zak is tall, 6'2 i believe so just a little bit of bulking and he becomes decent sized for a full back. Golding is built like a half back and doesn't seem to be strong for his size like some are, he needs to really work at getting bigger imo, but he can do it.