I never really expected Handley to make it, who I think was also a centre, so who knows with Roberts he may come good! Like when Hall left and Handley got the number 5, it could be a case of opportunity for Roberts or another young player if Fus leaves (which he should).
One thing Handley did show though is he's fast when in full flight. I don't think he's got the same off the mark speed as a Field or French, but his over long range is awesome. Not seen anything like that in Roberts so far...

I'd hope we are aspiring to bigger things than "big things". I've got nothing against him and I think he's doing well in a difficult situation, but Leeds has such a rich history of wingers - Harris, Atkinson, Smith, Grothe, Bai, Donald, Hall etc - I just think we need to get someone who can put bums on seats and then get them out of them.

That's 7 named over the last 40 years, I know there's been others, such as ET, Bentley, but there has also been a lot of Meh players and I include Franny in that. The rich history of wingers is a bit overstated.

Agreed some brilliant wingers in that list. Mostly they had high skilled centres to give them the ball at the right time. Syd Hines was a proper wingers . The modern game rightly or wrongly has changed, not so much emphasis on getting quick ball to the wingers. If you recall Moon, he was a class act also Senior ,both these two gave the wingers the ball at the right time.

Well Eric Harris (and Fred) are going back the best part of century, but I rattled them off without even thinking. Check your record books and you'll find we had plenty, especially when we won things.

We’ve also had squad fillers even in successful side too though haven’t we? You can’t have worldies in every position especially in salary cap world.

Roberts is only just about 22 he’s not far off academy age really; like I said can see him being a squad player but he’ll have his work cut out to retain a place in the 17 going forward.

Don’t think we have worldies in that many positions. Pace or serious power are prerequisites at wing for me. Roberts not long term answer, but we can’t carry Fus anymore either…..

Fwiw, I think there was a decent player in Olpherts, but complete loss of form and confidence/injuries did for him….

Olpherts is almost the perfect physical profile for an outside back, and the kind that we rarely produce in this country. 6'3, powerful and quick, you'd think he'd be a star. Unfortunately, his hands are made of concrete.

Olpherts is no where near 6’3.

Well, wiki says 6'2, so pretty close

I can just see lots of different options. We have about six lads internally who could fill the wing spot, or Fus could surprise us all and stay fit when he comes back, or we could sign a senior player.

Actually excited to see Fus come back this year into a better side.

The problem isn't when Fusitu'a plays, its the number of games he misses. He's missed over half the games played since he arrived. If he was an absolute megastar when he played we could maybe live with it, but he isn't, he's an above average winger who is plus to the team but not irreplaceable.

Frankly if Roberts is just not really noticed, then that's OK for now, as it means he's not dropping clangers (see Olpherts) or just being infuriating (Tindall). He'll either improve and keep his spot longer term or get replaced. He's probably not at all a bad squad player though as he can cover wing or centre fairly reliably.

Fus is an enigma isn’t he?

Johnstone is only 10 months younger than him. He could still have a good few years ahead but it looks like his body just can’t handle playing RL (bit like Jack Walker).

I hope he can come back fit and stay fit for us this year, we’re a better side when he plays.

Of to KR apparently is Johnstone