Im not Wanes biggest fan but he's chosen to back his youngsters more often than having to. He runs a strict policy if you're underperforming you dont get picked & the next u19 in line gets a shirt.

abolsutely not. Infact we have taken the route people are calling for to be honest, in actually backing far too long players who will never make it, rather than writing them off early. In the case of what we have done, the chances of finding a "late bloomer" were very slim. Had we took the route of actually sending younger with much more potential on the dual reg, then this might have been a different outcome.

Roby made his debut for Saints as a 19 year old not sure that qualifies as a late developer - he played for GB at 21/22.

Featherstone couldn't even field 17 players on Sunday so let's not get on your high horse. I would have thought Leeds letting players go at 19 would be a good for Championship clubs that don't have the ability to fund an academy. Leeds take on 8-10 youngsters a year only 2 max. will make it - that a lot of quality young players - if going through the Leeds academy system hasn't put them off

I think you might have stated that incorrectly Sal, rather than what you meant. What you have put is wrong, but like I said I don't think intentionally. Leeds did have cream of the crop, and still manage to, but never developed it sufficiently at all. The change of Barrie McDermott first was a step forward in the younger pod, but then Brian from the senior pod just stumped anything anyway.

I am more than confident that had we had someone like Wane or Smith in charge over the McDermott era we would have seen a constant continuance of the conveyor belt of talent. Their is an argument to say would we have still won the trophy's? that is unknown and down to opinion, but the development would certainly have been better.

We must agree to differ - Leeds don't get the quality of youngsters they used or they don't develop - where are the Sinfield's, McGuire's, Chev's, Watkins, Hall of this last 5 years of youth development its Sutcliffe, Keinhorst, Handley, Luke Briscoe etc. The quality of the intake is not at the original level.

Barrie McDermott took the academy backwards this was then compounded by Brian McDermott - either development is poor or intake is poor and you can't polish a turd.

We don't agree to differ, you are wrong on the intake of players. I have seen these first hand over the previous six years, and their have been plenty of quality at that level. Better than what Wigan were picking up. It is the development that was the problem, and where in Lancashire they did it so much better.

You seem to be looking at it from the under 19's point of view, i.e. development. On that we are in agreement. Just not on the scholarship side of things, where you are incorrect.

Fair enough - Cameron Smith is a prime example I suppose.

I can't believe we haven't had a quality half back in the academy for 15 years but that is the case - that says to me the intake is great because even Leeds couldn't screw that up.

So you’re saying that some U19 and over age players should’ve been binned off earlier and younger players sent on dual reg?

As I repeatedly put wasn't looking for an argument or was being on a high horse. Was just pointing out the facts. How many ex Leeds juniors are filling out the championship now having not made it? We were lucky at Dudley Hill when one of our lads was as Leeds there were top end 40 something in his squad massive rotation until they dropped who they didn't want. A whole lot turn their backs on the game and don't even return to their original amateur clubs.

Yes Fev couldn't field 19, not one of their players were dual reg that have been available all year. Also Leeds took their most prolific player this year so are not all innocent in the situation. I was hoping for a debate on reserves/academies but you obviously took it the wrong way which I repeatedly tried making the comment that it wasn;t the case. It;s good to get other clubs fans opinions on it. Theres no right or wrong with opinion

Absolutely on the over age. Walters a typical example, never make a star player in his life, but still we continued to persist.

Newman went out this year and starred in the Championship. Should have been left there most of the year. Then you would have had an example of a success of dual reg.

And I love it. Wanes attitude towards promoting youth has to be commended. Wish we had a coach with a similar attitude

me too. I'd have him as next coach in an instant

I get you.

Seems fair enough. However I still think forwards need a bit of extra time before a judgement can be made. Not all are prodigies that are ready at 19 like Crooks, Fielden, Burgess etc even if you can make decisions about some like Walters.

I think a reserves is more beneficial than DR and loan deals. Especially for forwards. The step up from U19s to SL is massive for forwards and halfbacks. There needs to be a bridge that offers consistency and I'm not sure that being farmed out to different clubs with different coaches, priorities, facilities is the way to do it. The choice should be reserves or a full season loan. DR leaves players unsettled and devalues other clubs and competitions IMO.

DR often results in players at the receiving club are displaced at short notice. A friend of mine who is a coach at such a club related that he got a call the day before a match to say that the dual reg partner wanted a player to play in the next game (i.e. the next day). Unfortunately he had to play the DR player - the position he was taking was for a young up and coming kid who had been playing all season and had been man of the match in the last game and had a good understanding with the guys playing around him (having trained with them regularly).

www.seriousaboutrl.com/leeds-pla ... oys-18083/

www.seriousaboutrl.com/leeds-pla ... oys-18083/

Was it in Lewis Jones biography where he says about playing in the reserves at the end of his career and how it helped the youngsters. We take about ethos of the club etc, surely having a reserve grade where the up and coming young players can learn from some of the older guys who are coming to end or returning from injury is beneficial. For me, it should be reserve with clubs still able to loan, but for a period of time. I never understood how it would help a lower league team to have SL players available one week and not know if they would the following. Likewise, does a player get much out of a 'guest' appearance?

If we are not producing quality players why? We have had some big 'names'(and continue to do so) coaching these kids blokes that have played SL at the highest level?

top players don't always make top coaches. in any sport

Nothing against Delaney, he has served the club well. but I have just read this in the Yorkshire Post

"Delaney, who made his debut in 2010, is out of contract this autumn, but the Yorkshire Evening Post understands a new deal is on the table"

Seriously ! I cannot believe we are even considering this !

He said nothing is settled. He doesn't know ,still talking ,but whatever he is still playing on .Looks like the club have offered him lower than he could get at Say KR or Trinity and he wants two years

I've said it before - Ablett, Delanney and JJB will be in the squad next season

Does anyone believe the Justin Oneill rumours?

Looking at that reminds me of the glumnesss that I felt looking at my Bulls 2006 roster after 2005.

Feeling your pain.

Charly Runciman, Krisnan Inu, Charlie Gubb, Wellington Albert and the Chapelhow brothers from Widnes could be worth looking at

How on earth are they worth looking at? Terrible terrible players. Gubb, possibly, but the rest have been key to how poop Widnes have been.

Whitley is their best player, only one really worth a move for, a younger better version of Ferres.