Assuming we don't sign anyone else my main concern is the mental fragility that was exposed last year - the excuses and non-stop cobblers suggested very much a coach and squad that did virtually anything except take individual responsibility for how things went (in that respect Hardaker wasn't much worse than anyone else). Its easy to take collective blame and hence carp on about working hard in training to put things right, or for BM to put his hand up at the end of the year and admit to messing some things up when its too late to make any difference.

Given 2016 as a backdrop, its not hard to envisage almost a carbon-copy of this season if we lose a few games early. Its utterly ridiculous that a team of pro sportsmen, including some of the most decorated in the history of the game, are so mentally feeble.

Without any experienced signing it all looks a bit 'hit and hope' for 1, 6 and 7 - three of the four most important positions in the sport. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a lot of fluidity in those positions, particularly early on, as hand on heart nobody can really say what the best combination is.

I hope we've signed him because we think he can make it. His dad was a very underrated smart halfback - he and Powell were much better than a lot of combinations Leeds have used through the years.

I don't think we were mentally fragile last year. We were physically fragile.

Fair enough mate, but a Saints fan has posted the Saints team on another thread and even in my reserved optimism for our chances next year, i find it hard to find too many players i would swap with ours if you did a like for like comparison on the starting 17's.

I don't. They are very overrated, only got four last year due to our no show season and Catalans mid season collapse, Saints late season show of firm flattered to deceive. Think we can make the top four.

We need to support the kid - give him a chance and some time. Sutcliffe is not a fullback and needs to find his true position (he was only ever a stop gap at FB). Maybe if people don't think Sutty has the game to be our answer at stand off they should consider the 2nd row.

Could the same not be said of Leeds - much optimism is based on victories over Wigan and Hull?

Saints have a better starting 17 and more depth in their youngsters - time will tell

It's to be expected IMO. Our current situation pretty much mirrors that of many an aspiring team. Yes, we have decorated players. We also have many others who aren't, some of debatable quality. So where lies the difference between us and others who have, over the years, signed NRL GF winners, SOO veterans, ex-GF winners to bolster a mixed bag of local talent? We might be Leeds, multiple GF winners etc, but we're very much trying to scrabble our way up a greasy pole at the moment.

I’m no expert but with the right conditioning he could be up to the job physically. Some of the best players in the world are on the small side. Until his latest mishap with the Bolivian marching powder Ben Barba showed you can be a small bloke and stand out amongst the giants.

Having seen the lad develop over the past couple of seasons, he does seem to be blossoming into a good player. He has skills, and plenty of spirit. Of course, all this has been in the Championship, and SL is a different proposition, but I would say he is worth a go and could well turn out to be a better prospect for next season than one or two of your ageing half backs - brilliant players that they have been.

Is this not a bit of ego stroking for the kid? Surely sutty will be our starting fb otherwise what was the point of last season?

Suspect this is a ploy to keep Golding interested while he plays for fev.

Otherwise you then have mags, burrow, sutty, lilley and aston as halves. What is the point of signing Aston?

But then I am trying to second guess McD.

Tricksy he is.

Burrow will revert to an interchange player. Sutty and Mags in the halves. Golding at fullback. That leaves Lilley and Aston as cover. If we could get them both playing at Fev perhaps they could build a partnership which could carry into the 1st team long term.

But then again that's me trying to second guess Mac.

Do you really believe mac knows what he's doing?