Griffin too.

You can not compare Russell to Gale ,though he was here for just a short spell as a player.Gale could throw passes out that put players in to gaps, Russell was throwing out a lot of hospital passes at Leeds .

Correct, thanks. Missed him. Make that 8 then.

I think he will be a back up, bench player for us this season. Be handy to step in but I can’t see him in 17 most weeks so didn’t include him tbh.

I am not comparing them. You’ll need to read again. I suggested that Russell be trying to take a few pointers from Gale and his style of play.

I felt that Russell needed to be a touch deeper personally. I do think Jowitt returning will give both halves a lot more options.

Sorry my mistake . Agree about a touch deeper ,Last year We were standing a lot deeper when we had the ball .Leeds moved up very fast, said at the time we should be standing deeper .

Of course it’s only works if they have players running lines and the full back creating opportunities for the receiving half to pass. I have confidence that throughout pre season a lot of work will be done on this and as the season progresses we will see our halfbacks bond well. There’s certainly not a lack of talent between the three.

I think the issue in the first 25 was the lack of penetration from the middles... All three starting middles began the game at championship pace and intensity (particularly with ball in hand) ... I think Powell likes to play his halves quite flat, but that needs the defensive line to be in retreat... (disappointingly) the team didn't initially adjust well to that and Leeds intensity and line speed, and gave away field position and momentum.
That said... There was some real positives in the performance and i think adding the likes of McMeeken, Atoni, Storton, and/ or Pitts into the starting line-up for the middle of the pitch will make a difference.

Some good points made on here regarding our Boxing Day friendly.
Overall I was reasonably happy with our performance considering we have only been back since back end of November..

It takes time to weld a new half back partnership together and I feel we will have to be a little bit patient going into the new season before we start to see the fruits of Powells labour…
The warm weather week training in Tenerife will enable our lads to get some combinations going ..

As for our forwards.. I think they are in for a tough season and some will have had a taste of things to come with what I thought was a well drilled Leeds defence in the first half at Headingley.
We had some experience missing up front though with Pitts , mc Meeken Hood and Atoni all who have played SL.
Also unlike previous years when we tended to cobble a team together I actually think our team will be looking forward to testing themselves in what will undoubtedly be a much tougher competition.
Patience will be key to the season..

Not been given the 12 number to make up numbers. I think he’ll be in the mix week in week out when fit to be a starter

I agree.
The advantage of playing a full Leeds side was to see where we are in comparison.
Some of the players we know will be just outside the 17 showed up OK but only ok. Which is exactly what you'd expect.
If we just had one of them in I think we'd do well so that is a positive.
Max, Tom, McM, Storton and Atoni didn't actually need the test. We kinda know where they are.

It's not like he isn't in the mix but I think they'll need to use him wisely when we have Storton, Seth and Vagana who are much younger.