Hardaker onto the wing, Jones-Bishop at full back for me.

Full-back is going to be an extremely busy position in defence I reckon (unfortunately) and I've got very little confidence in that side of Brent Webb's game over recent weeks.

He gets turned inside out too easily, he got skinned for pace by Joel Tomkins FFS and he spends too much time defending right up in the line when we're under pressure.

I'm happy to take the hit in terms of creativity with ball in hand in exchange for a little more defensive security.

I like this option and would love to see it this way next year but in all honesty can you see Webb getting dropped? He deserves to be after the play of the others in the squad compared to him but he just seems to have his place cemented.

What a negative nelly.

Warrington are too good.

Leeds need to play with their best strike weapons

Asking Delaney and Ablett to play day is rather harsh

Not being nagative at all. I think the strenghts of those 2 at centre outweigh the strengths of Hardaker at centre.I really rate the kid and think as a winger at the moment he looks awesome. I just doubt he will get 2 tries and an assist laid on a plate the way he did at Hudds last week.

I wouldn't want to put Hardaker up against Delaney at this stage in his career. I'd put Ablett on that side. I'd be prepared to take a chance on Hardaker in the other centre spot though. His confidence is high, and at some point we need to score some tries as well as defend well.

If Leeds play the leaden footed Delaney and Ablett at centre we will def loose.
We need all the speedy attacking prowess available

If ablett is fit, you pick him at centre.

Hardaker showed up well last week, but he's not even made 40 professional appearences and even fewer at super league level. Use common sense and pick an experienced player whos showed up well there all season - ablett.

I don't believe BJB is significantly stronger defensively than webb, and certainly not enough to justify losing webb's creativity. He's one of our most creative players, the idea to leave him out in our biggest game of the season is nonsense.

Agreed, if Webb was going to be dropped the time was 6-8 weeks ago. He has to play now IMO.

Hardaker had some awful moments defensively last week. If Ablett is fit, he's the left centre. He also offers plenty of attacking options as well as being safe defensively.

He will ask questions of the Warrington defence.

Webb must play.

Agree with this. Dropping Webb is unthinkable given what his role for the team is. I'd bring Ablett in, stick Hardaker on the wing where he is much more comfortable and leave BJB out - the latter is contentious I know but I'd be surprised and disappointed if McDermott felt obliged to stick with Zak in the centre despite his obvious weaknesses there and I don't think we can leave him out altogether.

I was waiting for your input on this.

I agree wholeheartedly with your summation.

Buderus MUST play



Ablett Shablett

Come on down ..... Smith !! ....
Prove your doubters wrong....
You and Hardaker in the
centres for me.
If you screw up... no worries.
Leeds will lose anyway.

Ablett & Hardaker in the centre, Delaney second row. It doesn't really matter what the back line is if the pack doesn't perform/dominate - so therefore please leave Kirke out of the 17

Shifting/dropping our regular Number 1 on the eve of our biggest game of our Super League season is bonkers.

Yes BJB has long term eyes on the shirt. Worthy of it, and has the class no doubt.

But the time for tinkering/experimenting is over. It's roll up your sleeves time and produce.

At this moment in time, BJB is a far better player than Brent Webb, but I actually agree with what you said.

How does that work?

Not the biggest Webb fan, but can't disagree with any of this post. Now is not the time for messing about with team unless forced to at FB

I would make a straight swap of Hardaker for Ablett. No good risking the game and Hardaker's confidence by putting him in front of King, Monaghan, Bridge & Atkins when he's probably not up to it physically or in terms of his awareness of how to defend in the centre position. His time will come.

Think ablett would be a safer bet defensive wise. But I think he will replace Delaney who will move to the pack

Agree with this. It seems hard on a lad that's just scored a hat-trick, but the reality is that for 2 of those tries he was just in the right place at the right time. I'm not sure he's quite physically up for the challenge of facing up to Warrington's firepower right now. There's an argument for putting him on the wing in place of BJB, but then has BJB done anything to deserve being dropped.

It's a real tough call, and I wouldn't be disappointed to see Hardaker kept in, but I just think Ablett offers a bit more in a big game like this.

I suspect BM will go with Ablett and Delaney. Personally, I'd have Hardaker at centre as those two between them aren't going to be much of a threat with the ball. No problem with Ablett going to left centre, as he's a better centre than Delaney.

I understand what people are saying about Hardaker's defence etc, but IMO we'll need to score a lot of points to have any chance in this game, and he is a natural tryscorer. In any event, the experience Hardaker would get from playing in this big game will be invaluable down the track. What you want from players is an ability to rise to the big occasion - no better place to see if Hardaker is the real deal or not.

I'm now thinking he's going to go with Hardaker RC and Ablett LC. I wouldn't want to make the decision, but Hardaker's ability to break the line might sway it.

Having predicted the demise of this season back at end of 2009, and commented about past it players and loss of hunger, I am prepared to eat my words tonight, just for this year. Although I can also take credit for been in the camp of supporting the coach which was very much in the minority on here.

Just been speaking with one particular player this morning, and was speaking to another earlier in the week, and there is just something in their eyes. Due to the critisism and writing off of the team (so us that did that can claim some part in that

), I feel since the semi final of the CC the hunger is back. This was confirmed by the player I spoke to this morning.

Despite saying some players are past it, and still do, we still have a player who personally I would not swap for any other player in Super League, and have always said that. It just so happens that the same player is also the captain and main inspiration behind everything this group of players does. I am confident personally, that not only will Sinfield inspire these players to win tonight, but will also win next week if it is against Wigan.

The player I spoke to this morning was full of praise for the way Sinfield has been speaking with the players this week, and also the focus and belief that McDermott has shown.

Great post, Gotcha. Starting to look forward to tonight's game a bit more, even if I don't fully share your belief that we will get a result

Are you serious?