So the 19 is just a thrown together list regardless of the team picked to them......Not true at all. You have to submit a 19 by a certain time in the week prior to games. Hence it is unlikley for players to be named outside of that 19, I said unlikely, it does happen, but its not a regular occurrence, so I would say somewhat true..... appreciate the other comment in your message.....wait....

Wasn't the 19 man squad announcement thing made after the Long/Gleeson betting incident when both of them knew Saints would be sending an under strength side to play Bradford?

The 19 named gives you a general just of what the team will be but players can be included if other guys are legitimately ruled out through late fitness tests. If Leeds had named had named their strongest possible 19 vs Hull the other week then just before kick off announced they're resting (not injured) 3 or 4 players then they might've got into trouble.

Personally I think both Hardaker and Watkins will make it. Could've easily kept Handley in the 19 from last weeks squad if they weren't likely to play instead of dropping him for Josh Walters.

Golding started out as a scrum half I think and has the skill set to play in several position. To be making negative judgments on the lad when he has only played a handful of SL games is ridiculous. IMO he is a future star I have seen natural running and passing skills and a heads up awareness well in advance of his years. That's the class part which is the most important. His defense can be improved on the training field, I am sure he is a first teamer in waiting, The position will depend on where he gets his chances to stake a claim. He was out for some time with a back injury (I think) so his development has been held back this season.

Only commenting on what I've seen of the player at first grade level and setting that against some rave reviews coming through the juniors ranks.

It's a tough environment, players need a big heart to survive. Not sure I'm seeing that in Golding just yet, admittedly from limited opportunities.

I wouldn't have expected a ready made SL fullback from an 18 yr old with very limited SL game time. They have to be allowed to make errors at this age which they will learn from. But he has shown confidence in backing himself on attack with some lovely touches

not really true when he's been out most of the year with injury - hardly suprising he hasnt put on much size

Yes when he was ready to return he talked about his back injury and how the medical team were quite stumped at what the exact problem was for a while so set him back a bit.

Should also remember that Leeds don't rush into bulking up their younger players.

From what I've seen he looks like a halfback. Probably his best bet though is to continue to play full back as well because he's more likely to get games if he's versatile.

Golding is only 18 isn't he?

Leeds don't start players putting size on until they're 19.

Jon Wilkin sounding very confident in the paper today, he says they are the only team that can stop Leeds and they know our weaknesses.

Strange that since they've not beaten us yet this season.
I'd argue that Wigan & Warrington would have a counter view.
But only Wigan's is relevant now.
However, I think tonight's game will be very hard & Saints could win, whether they can then repeat it if we meet again in the season is a moot (sic) point.

Leeds to win by 2.

In McDermott's interview on the website he didnt sound too confident of Burrow, Hardaker and Watkins playing tonight - desribed their injuries as 'one or two weekers'

I think this is a tough game post Wembley and with the injury doubts. Every cloud has a silver lining though as a Saints win ends the Catalans season ahead of our trip there next week.

If they can't feel confident tonight after a week off, Leeds on the bounce back from Wembley celebrations and the probability we will be a few short, something would be very wrong at their end. His job in that interview is to big up Saints chances and give the faithful something to cling to, he's hardly going to say other than he did.

I reckon they could catch us out tonight, but hope we have enough to see them off at HQ. If we do I think their season will have just about run its course.