I am not being dogmatic on the stats. (stats available to all) I am using stats to back an opinion already expressed and to argue a point regarding metres made by those contesting the back three positions. I had correctly tipped Bish to be selected ahead of Briscoe for the Wigan game as Briscoe had been poor in his previous game (by Briscoes high standards) in that he was woefully unaware when his opposite number scored a try. He also made other errors. Whereas BJB had looked sharp in his previous games.

It had been stated that Hall, Briscoe and Hardaker all made more metres than BJB which I have shown is not correct. I have stated that I rate Briscoe highly including his kick returns. But what you may be overlooking is the silky smooth running style of BJB that eats up the metres in a less obvious and physical manner than Hall and Briscoe but can be equally effective. Briscoe has had his share of walk-in thanks to Watkins.

What is also not recorded in the stats or by you is that BJB had the awareness to arrive centre field in the Wigan game in support of Hardaker and McGuire which should have won the game for us had DM passed. Something that Hall didn't do on the day and Briscoe may not have done had he played. This awareness, timing and positional play is why he scores so many tries that he makes look so easy.

If both are on form then perhaps Briscoe is the better of the two but as I have repeatedly stated it is form that should be used in selection for these positions which is why the coach chose him for the Wigan game ahead of Briscoe. So I disagree with you that injury is the only reason for selecting BJB. First and foremost we need the cutting edge in attack and BJB has the proven Leeds big match temperament which Biscoe has yet to prove.

Judgement may be made with eyes and sense but so much better if backed up with stats and sometimes better eyesight

Just a quick question, I've been asked by someone who likes to keep tabs of squad numbers if anyone has the 28 shirt for Leeds? They saw Robbie Ward is listed at 29 and I said I'd ask as I seem to think Frosties has a similar interest.

Cheers in advance.

Mulhern should be given a game when they feel comfortable and correct that it's right for him AND the team, not because fans don't like how few carries Kirke does.

What if it turns out to be a close game? McDermott won't throw him on for any longer than 10 minutes probably (perhaps not at all), how will that help the fatigue on our forwards? At least Kirke is trusted with game time whether people like it or not and that can be just as beneficial moving on through the season for the likes of Leuluai/Delaney who otherwise might end up doing to many minutes on Friday.

Exactly. The lack of trust in our coaching team is frightening sometimes.

I would say the lack of trust in our fringe players is even more frightening.

It is of course worth remember that our coaching team got it wrong last year, and indeed have since admitted to that. So it is hardly a bad thing for posters to express an opinion that certain options would be better.

Yes, because if you have a fatigued set of forwards Ian "2.3 carries" Kirke is just the man to give them a breather.

Hopefully the coaching team put more thought into how to introduce a teenage forward into SL action than just Kirke's carries total frustrating some fans.

The thought should always be, who would be give more contribution to the team.

If that is the question , the answer must be anyone but Ryan Bailey .

By that token then Peacock would play every single game and people would complain.

Talking of Peacock - any news on his injury?

Hopefully they do.

It still frustrates the hell out of me. It should frustrate the hell out of everybody, including the coaching staff.

It's far from good enough and the best defence of his laziness seems to be "the coaches know best".

Fair enough. But those same coaches gave a contract to and selected Joe Vickery.

It is a mystery, his carry stats seem to fluctuate between acceptable and attrocious. However, the coaches do know best, or better than us certainly. they will have forgotten more about professional RL than we will ever know. The same coach / CEO who signed and played Vickery, also dropped and showed him the door. Much as they did with Cross, Hauraki, Thackray. See they do make mistakes, but they are also bold enough to admit it and fix the situation. Kirke has been around a long time so must be doing something right, it just doesn't happen to fit in with our ideas of what a prop should do on the field.

2 carries is woeful. Nothing gets away from that

Whilst his number of carries is poor I wouldn't describe him as a lazy player.

I also don't think the only answer you get is "coaches know best". I'm sure they're well aware of all his match figures and seen as he's been in the team so long he is doing what's asked I imagine. For whatever reason, even if we don't understand/like it, they aren't really interested in Kirke getting the ball.

Also get back to Mulhern and reasons he might not have been included this week.

Last night the U19's edged to a win over Hull by 4. Leeds were without their normal starting hooker or scrum half. Maybe they didn't want to further weaken that team by taking away the starting prop.

Picking up wins and trying to reach the Academy GF is a huge thing, thought perhaps goes into how it effects the U19's lineup when we decide to give someone a game.