This is a big one. For me it's must win. Not sure that many changes will be made on the squad but don't feel that JJB & Ablett deserve to keep their spot. Golding will probably drop out with the hamstring injury.

Walker
Briscoe Watkins Sutcliffe Hall
Moon McGuire
Cuthbertson Parcell Singleton
Ablett Ward
JJB

Mullally Garbutt Burrow Delaney/Keinhorst

It's not as much of a must win after tonight's results, which makes the loss to Wakey all the more frustrating, but we have to improve massively on yesterdays performance to have any chance. Saints are in decent form, and their defense has been watertight in the last few weeks.
Assuming Golding is injured, I'd go with that team, except I'd pick Delaney over Ablett in the 17.

personally after last nights performance id leave mullally out for garbutt and depending when ferres is back instead of keinhorst . think keinhorst is a great centre and an 80 min player but sutcliffe bid a good enough job to keep his place. think we need a few bigger lads in for a big forward line saints have. these are only my own personal opinions .

Walker
Briscoe - Watkins - Keinhorst - Hall
Moon - McGuire
Garbutt - Parcell - Cuthbertson
Ward - Delaney
JJB

Burrow
Singleton
Mullally
Sutcliffe

Looking at the table we now need 3 wins from 5 to retain a top 4 place.

St Helens, Hull, Huddersfield, Salford, Castleford,

Is there 3 wins from these games on our current form ?

We don't need three wins. That would probably get 2nd. Two would get top four, probably one will do.

I think Leeds will need more than one win to make the top four. If they lose the next two then it will be squeeky bum time



If they beat Saints I think that knocks them out in reality

There is only five games left. Saints will make the top four, which leaves Wakefield as the only challenging team to oust one of the top four. I can't see Wakefield winning another game, let alone the four they would need, should Leeds win one game.

Had Saints and Salford win last night, you might have had a bit more of a point on the squeaky bum, but not after last night.

I was more thinking about form and confidence - if they lost those two it would one win in six and Huddersfield who can be tricky - can't see a win against Cas so close to the play offs - Powell will have his side in play off mode

Don't get me wrong it is not the form you would want for a play off game, one win in six, but just think it is enough to get that play off game.

We have a big issue leaking points now. Two big losses in 3 games.

Like I said on another thread.
Keinhorst or Sutcliffe in the SR with the other at centre.
Garbutt to replace JJB and Baldwinson on the bench.
Lilley will probably drop out of the 17 to make way for Burrow.
Not sure why someone is advocating dropping Mullalley after thursdays performance.
He was one of our better forwards.
Ablett and JJB should be dropped if the coach is looking at performance instead of loyality.

I'd be ok playing JJB if reverted back to loose forward where he's ok. Ablett has struggled both at 2nd row and moving to loose last week.

I said last season JJB was ok in the middle but a liability defending wide. he defended wide Thursday and was awful. we need 4 props in the 17, even 5 if we have one at loose. we were outmuscled with embarrassing ease

I hope JJB retires at the end of the year. I love him to bits, what an attitude. however I don't want him embarrassing himself. as Graham Murray said, better retiring a year early than a year late

The rumour is he wants another two years - if that is true then it's a tough decision for GH given his loyalty ethos

2 years? sorry but that's a joke surely

If that's the case he has changed his mind. I understood from various sources he was happy to do just next season if offered it. We should keep him on at Leeds in some capacity, his enthusiasm and honesty for the game is wonderful. Definitely would be an inspiration for the younger players. As my previous missive, Brian Mac should not be flogging the lad for eighty minutes. I am positive if used intelligently he can do a good job for us in thirty minute spells.
Unfortunately Brian macs shortcomings in the use of replacements is well documented.

We need something new. Not loyalty over skills

I actually think JJB used correctly could be a very good asset next season. At 2nd row doing big minutes, no. Off the bench or starting some games with sensible minutes he could still do a valuable job.

Sadly don't think Baldwinson will be in a Leeds shirt again.

Looks like Baldwinson will not be signing a new contract

You can't blame him when he can't get a game.

JJB said in a videoed interview a month back that GH had gone up to him and said jonesy you seem to get better with age not worse, saying this has been one of his best seasons. So looks like he has GH blessing if he decides to stay on.
Also in an interview about mcguires retirement he was asked if he would be a shot for captaincy next year, which he played down suggesting ward would be a better fit, but did hint that he would play on past this year.
I fully expect him to play next year, and I think he will be useful. But only as printer has stated.

Nothing sad about that