In my humble opinion Sutcliffe would make a cracking loose forward and is becoming a very very good goal kicker,something the team will need if Watkins knee restrict him kicking

Would he make a better loose forward than Ward or Cam Smith though? and yet they are not given the opportunity there. That is what should be more in the thought process of keeping Sutcliffe. Would he be better than what we have in a specific position. I am not sure that can be said for any position he plays.

Sutcliffe's natural game would come on a ton if he had proper support runners running decent lines - structure, in other words. That applies whether you put him in the halves, LF, 2nd row, wherever. Many don't rate him because he doesn't break the line and doesn't set up much. He hasn't the build or pace to do the former yet without the runners to pass to, his frequent choice of dying with the ball is actually the correct call. In desperate times, he forces things resulting in the brain farts & brilliance performances of the back end of last season.
He could be a real good player for us but if Leeds aren't going to play to his strengths we may as well move him on for his sake as much as ours. Personally, I think he might have been better than Williams had he played in recent wigan sides.

Sutcliffe with continuing game time might end up having a great game, but I doubt very much that whatever club he had have been at, that he would be any better player than he is today. He simply does not have the ability in him to be a star. He was never anything close to Williams, and to be fair it is pretty daft to suggest otherwise. He has been incredibly lucky to have played the amount of games he has, and that said more about Leeds options than him as a player.

I dissagree on your point of his game, because I think he can and does break the line, but he most definitely does not set up others, and most definitely him dying with the ball in most cases is not the right call. There was not one brilliant performance at the back end of last season by the way, even when he made the difference he was very poor for the majority of a game. He hasn't given anything close to brilliant since the start of 2015, although to be fair his team mates have hardly excelled consistently there either.

There is a valid point made in playing to peoples strength, but at the same time it needs to be acknowledged it is a team game and each plays their part. You are only as strong as your weakest link. If he can't adapt to that, then he is not the player your are implying.

Just on the doesn’t break the line or set up stuff, as I’ve previously written, against Salford, Widnes and Halifaxe he did exactly that and if he hadn’t we could (would) have lost the games (bar the Halifax one).

I think he has been taking some unjustified criticism (and some justified), he is a good player who has been shunted around positions in a team playing poorly and even so managed to get an England cap.

Also hos goal kicking was very good since Sinfield returned, lets see how he goes under the new regime, but I expect on here he will be scspegoated no matter what.

don't think its necessarily that he is a scapegoat, think most of us wish and are willing him to be the player we thought he was going to be could be, but it has not happened and doses not look like its happening, and he has not produced the goods in any position, one more year to step up or ship him out.

Sutcliffe loose forward every day of the week.
Cam Smith second row.You can't put Stevie Ward in the equation,he is never fit

I understand the frustration with Ward, but he still managed 17 appearances last season.

He's a good player who gives his all for the team when on the field. The fans need to get behind him, instead of jumping on his back. It's not his fault he's suffered with injuries. Hopefully the club can bring in a better fitness regime under Furner and co.

Of course you put him in the equation. The question asked here was about Sutcliffe. Ward might well only play 5 games in a season, but you can bet your bottom dollar those 5 games would be more good games than Sutcliffe manages in every 100. That is the comparison you are looking at.

he may have started 17 but he only finished about 3, when he does play he ends up on the sidelines with ice on something not fit to return. nor getting on at him, he on paper is one of our best players, but we cannot keep carrying him like this. some players are just incredibly injury prone and ultimately it costs some players a big part off if not there entire career, see Paul Cullen David Creaser, Mike Gregory, Paul Sculthorpe, Nigel Wright. Nigel Wrights career like Ward hardly got going despite huge potential.
really hope he can get fit and have a good long run.

I like Ward,very good player,WHEN fit.And i've seen him have some very ordinary games aswell.
On another note I see "tubby" Lolo is here

I thought he was looking good towards the end of 2015 before his awful injury. On his return I thought give hime time to recover and get fully fit before judging him, it was a truely devastating injury and similar has ended carrers before. How much time is he to be given? I really think there is a good player in there, I would love Furner and co to be able to bring it out of him. I really hope for the best of and for him but if he doesnt start to live up to some of the earlier promise he will have to be given a reality check and moved out of Headingly. Once you leave it is a long road back!