No question, if you've seen him play for the academy you'll know he rips the other teams to shreds.. Great 6

This is a problem in the game with some fans and we've seen it used against Sinfield for England,

The 'pace' and running teams to pieces argument.

Yeah speed is great but can your halfback organise, link, kick (TBF he did good tonight with that), create for others.

Tired of hearing people just think halves should just be speed merchants who out pace defenders. So clueless about the role.

Playing teams where 75% of them probably won't make SL standard and running through gaps due to lack of defensive reading intelligence does not make a great 6.

He didn't in the academy games v Wigan last year. And in the Grand Final he was playing against Jake Shorrocks who is a year younger. Hampshire murdered him in the game at Stanningley. I've always said he looks like a very good #13.

I get a little annoyed when I hear people make excuses for young half backs. ATEOTD he's tasked with playing in the halves and that means he needs to take on some responsibility. I think he's got a pretty decent kicking game and good feet, but his decision making still isn't great and doesn't look to get involved enough. Having said that I still think he's a back rower, same with Stevie Ward, however, unless they can bulk up over the next couple of years I'm not sure Leeds could afford to carry two light weight back rowers.

Agree Sutcliffe will probably end up as a LF.
Maybe Steve Ward in the halves?
Tonight was like watching a reasonably good championship game.
Both teams with little idea, happy to plod it up the middle. No real game plan, poor distribution from the halves.
Has Sutcliffe been told to just pass the ball as soon as he gets it?
Yes we had plenty of players out but so did Saints and Wigan when they both beat Leeds.

Exactly this, did McGuire or Burrow lack involvement when they first came into the first team? No.

Other poster asked has he been told just to pass? Well I saw him in the pre-season friendly vs Hunslet where he was one of only a few first teamers on show surrounded by mostly academy lads with Pulme in charge......surely a chance to manage the game.....but no. Just looked like someone who waits for the ball and then could produce a step or two but no game manager or controller.

A poor performance and once again there was a lack of attacking ideas. Seems like all McGuire did was drop the ball back inside. Bish certainly isn't a top class fullback. McDermott needs to earn his wage and sort it out.

The "mid season slump" is hopefully not becoming just the start of the slump. Awful!

Our attack is so predictable it's a joke. Once again our kicking game was pants, is it that difficult to plan who kicks the ball on the 5th tackle?

Only saw the result, Sutcliffe kicking?

He had one good year at six, after a lot of reorganising and releasing of players to fit age restrictions. Never really at the forefront at all up until that point,then the opportunity came and it worked. Ward looked much better at stand off in the academy than Sutcliffe did.

That said I think Sutcliffe seems to be taking most of the brunt here, and unfairly. His half back partner, the longest serving in the Leeds team, the experience, was diabolical and should really have given his partner more of an opportunity to shine.

Sutcliffe for me still looks a future player, just not in the halfs.

Also how can anyone give BJB a seven last night? Sure with ball he can move, but his defence is worse than under 12's., his positioning is really poor, and he looks like his insides are dropping when a kick is put in. Feel sorry for the lad, as with Salfords other signings his position over there won't be any different to what it is here.

Also might have only been six minutes, but thought Mulhern really stood out in those minutes. With no go forward from Bailey throughout the match,why did we waif so long to bring him on.

7 is just a subjective view ,IMO was one of the better ones in a bad bunch. Didn’t see him drop any bombs, took a good try down the right channel, defence was so so but as I said he wasn’t alone there. Will be glad when Hardaker takes back the full back spot. Bish to the wing since Briscoe is severely disappointing with lack of form at he moment.

If Briscoe is dropped then the replacement should be who the club are planning to take BJB placed next season. He has played enough games to show a replacement will do like wise. I am presuming Handley will be that guy, so he should have opportunity to prove himself and understand what is needed.

That's the Aussie mentality but Leeds do not have a NRL type quality in depth are you saying Handley is better than Bish on the wing?