Ainscough of pies looks to have that trophy.

Richard Owen at Castleford is another serious contender.

Two words: Kevin Brown.

I rest on your face, err, I mean, I rest my case.

If Danny Brough had Gareth Hocks Tattoos this debate would be wrapped up.

excellent observation. Would be underwhelmed if we signed Atkins for the reasons you have stated and Shenton looks a better target for those same reasons. All this based upon the premise that this is a Parker rumour so therefore a pretty pointless discussion.

Saints throw a kid into the centres, out of position and you applaud them. Yet you crticise us for not going out and signing a right centre.


Maybe one of these error free quality youngster you admire at Saints can help them win a Grand Final and our calamity prone fill-ins this year eh?

agree, seen that lad play over the years from the age of 7 or 8 always looked class, although he bleeds Cas Blood Leeds should have snapped him up as a youngster.

If Leeds had a similarly developed youngster ready to make the step up I wouldn't be calling for the club to sign a replacement for Clinton Toopi. They haven't from what I've seen so far. I'm giving McClennan the benefit of the doubt re Lee Smith, although his four missed tackles and appalingly loose carry out of his own twenty shows he's not comfortable there yet.

Gary Wheeler will be twenty before the season is out. When I first saw him play wing V Leeds I had no idea his preferred position was stand off and that didn't stop him looking a quality youngster then or at centre yesterday. Comparing his performances to Ashley Gibson's this season is like comparing night and day.




Maybe, it's all about performance. When I've seen Watkins, Ablett and Gibson fill in this season I haven't seen a performance to suggest the search is over.

Callum Watkins in 12 to 18 months time needs to be where Wheeler was yesterday and I think he can be. Gibson no chance.

You've come to an interesting conclusion on Wheeler after 2 games. I am sure Saints fans will be hoping you're proven right.

If Watkins is being used in the same manner as the coach has done this year, 1 game in every 5 at right centre, then he will have gone even further backwards.

I think I've seen more than the two (although not many more) but his quality is there for all who care to see. Hold me to it, he looks a quality youngster ready to make the step up now.

Of course he may follow the Watkins blueprint and turn to mush but the fact he is 18 months older will make a sizeable difference in his preparedness for SL at this point.

I hope I can say the same for Watkins in 18 months time rather than be still talking about his potential.

I agree. So did Watkins last year.

A lot of youngsters suffer 2nd season syndrome and that may be the only issue with Watkins. I don't think ghis coach has helped him that much.

Wheeler might suffer 2nd season syndrome. He might fade sooner than that. He's only had a handful of games.

I hope you can.

Both are in their second seasons now.

Wheeler is 18 months older and appears the more solid both physically and mentally, just as you would expect.

I've consistently said that Watkins has potential but he's 18 months away from being ready for regular SL action. I've seen nothing this season to change that view.

You have been interested in him since his first season at Wakey. He has started this season very well so far, and hope he can keep it up! He loves it at Wakey, but surely you can only say no to a team like Leeds so many times. Hopefully he will stay at Wakey for a long time but the chance to win trophies on a regular basis may be too good to miss

That will be his deciding factor.

Agreed, although Wakey are building a decent team with some good young players coming through we can never keep them long enough to compete.

He has 2 years plus rest of this season on his contract, will he sign an extension or leave? I have a bad feeling of the latter.

In the past we have had some very good players at the club but leave to a club who they believe will win more. Would be great for us to start keeping the top players and go on to another level

It shouldn't be a case of money. If Atkins isn't on more at Wakefield already than he would be on at Leeds I'd be fairly surprised.

It didn't stop Ellis coming over though and his progression is a mark of what a player could expect to do in the correct environment, if he's dedicated and motivated.

If we're taking anyone from cas, it should be joe westerman!

Which yorkshire club is next in line for the boxing day contract?

It will be the festive tournament if we are signing both.

No not saying it will be anything to do with money but he will want to win things no doubt. And I am no idiot (open to debate

) But Leeds will win more than Wakefield.

But in saying that we are in the process of building a top side with some quality players. I really hope we can keep the players together, we have not seen the best of these lads yet

Arent you (potentially) getting shot of Rooney?

Not seen Rooney at his best on a consistent basis for some time now, but he had a lot on his mind last season.

Hopefuly he will come back and be able to preform how he and we know he can, if he does that he is just as good as any other at the club or in the league even.

Probably but as the salary cap and other restrictions bite into the bigger team's ability to splash the cash then hopefully we'll see the finalists spread more widely. Wakefield with a new stadium could be a part of that. Wakefield at Belle Vue will never be unfortunately.

Totally agree. This stadium in Stanley is the last throw of the dice! If we can get this it will hopefully show people that we mean business and will help secure longer contracts of our up and coming players as well as our younger but established super league players like Atkins, Gleeson, Blaymire and Pitts who looks to have a big future.

rumours are circling that atkins will be on his way to hull fc for 2010...they was really stron 6 months back and apprently had a bid accepted but they couldnt agree on which players wakey wanted in exchange!!
dont be suprised if fc make a bid in the off-season

Yeah there was a chance of FC deal. But decided to stick with wakey


But for how much longer..................