IMO if Sykes was working with a strong defensive coach a lot of the problem he has would have been fixed. But unfortunatly our current coaching team seem to be unable to fix the problem. That's why I don't hold out any hope of them helping Crookes.

Not sure how you can say the intercept wasn't a big turning point. If I remember correctly the scores were 34 all and we had the ascendancy. It was a nonsense pass and it proved very costly, obviously it wasn't the only reason we lost but it was a big play in the match.

Like I say, I rate Newton as a decent hooker but he isn't international class and he is replaceable. It seems fairly certain he is moving on, so it will be interesting to see who comes in to replace him.

A very poor example of coaching though. They leave him on there all match. Think how good he'd be if he had two seasons experience of playing 4 mins every 6 or 7 games.

Leeds definately need to pay more attention to the way we approach first team affairs and bringing through the kids. The sooner they are more like us the better I say.

Leeds are also much more sucessful at developing backs than we are. Our best young players are forwards. They havent fully developed yet. Its fairly clear watching the likes of Whitehead and Donaldson that they've stiull got a lot of growing to do.

A promising young winger can be given 80mins game time without the worry of burning them out or exposing their weaknesses too easily. Cant do the same as easily with a forward.

I don't what it is, but alot of the youngsters we bring through just seem to slot in. Myabe because we have a good stable team it's easier for them to come through.

But we didn't exactly have that when burrow sinfield and the like came in.

Hall made his debut in 07, he had a decent run last season including a grand final and now he's top try scorer.

Lee smith made his debut in 2005 made some mistakes against your truly when you beat is at headingly.

Fast forward 2 seasons and he's MOM in the grand final.

At leeds young players make their debut, then they play abit more regular............and then they become quality.

See kalum watkins, he only recently started to play in the first team. Watch what happens with him in 2 seasons.

Don't know why it is, it just is.