Quote ="Sal Paradise"Wigan picking their strongest 17 would include the following:
Burgess
Charnley
Williams
Gelling
McIlorum
Tomkins
Farrell
O'Loughlin
Crosby
Powell
Sutton
All have come through there system that's 11 out of 17 - add to that fringe players like Tomkins Mossop and Hampshire and Wigan could be close to fielding a full side of home-reared SL standard players. Against Huddersfield 13 of the 17 came through their academy. Even you would have to admit Leeds are nowhere near being able to achieve that. Wigan's junior development that spots and develops talent - something Leeds used to be very good at?'"
A first choice Leeds 17 would probably have:
Watkins
Hall
Sinfield
McGuire
JJB
Ablett
Ward
Burrow
Singleton
So 9 compared to Wigan's 11 and with Sutcliffe, Golding, Handley, Mulhern, Ward being next in line we don't seem far behind them. Plus if you're including Gelling I reckon we can make a case for Hardaker.
For years people moaned about our lack of overseas signing - at once we had less than anyone else. We now have 5 and people moan about the academy.
It's all about balance-I still think as a club we get it about right. Admittedly, we need to replace some people over the next 5 years and we shouldn't expect miracles
Oh very good!
'"
