Yeah, that channel on the right has been an obvious weakness so far, but I suppose if Furner sees Sutcliffe as a 2nd rower then we have to be patient because that position is probably the hardest to play in. It also can't be easy having a returning Watkins there at the moment.

I really like that adds some pace to the pack, but I'd start Ward there with TM at LF, and Sutcliffe on the bench.

Pretty much agree though there needs to be standards. Cam Smith should not automatically be in the 17 every week, any more than should Brett Ferres, Liam Sutcliffe, Trent Merrin etc.

Agree with all of this.

hopefully those breaks last night will inspire Tui to do sumthing about his weight, he was rapid a couple of year ago and would of jogged in that first intercept , at 23 he should still have that pace if he can drop a stone +, surely the staff are on at him daily about it.

Merrin has to play 13, play your marquee player in his best position, especially when his best position allows him to play more minutes than he is currently .

Merrin absolutely has to be at 13 - he will play his best rugby playing off the back of a good drive and quick ptb from a proper front rower.
He can do the hard yards, but you don't want him taking those early set hit ups on every set . He should be the next play after the clearing drive, with the defence not quite as set, that way he can either hit the guys behind the ruck to continue getting a roll on through the set, or he can look to offload - he's so much more than just a battering ram.

Unthinkable but does Watkins need some more time to get fit and confident away from 1st team?
I guess we just give him more time and be patient but he’s quite off the pace right now.

Definitely well off it early doors although I thought he improved as the game went on. Call me an optimist but I don't think it'll take him that long now, couple more games maybe.

Better improved performance last night. We got shafted by ref first half good and proper. Second half we made just too many errors with ball in hand and you cannot beat anybody if you keep turning the ball over. Walker was awful he does not like putting his body on the line at all and his passing is atrocious.
Myler awfull first half but played better second half. Thought Merrin went well actually, glimpses of what he is capable off. Ferres excellent more of the same please, Peteru looked good needs an extended run and think he will be a big asset, Dinaldson plays well above his size. The whole side just not gelling yet but it's getting there, the squad seems a bit more together this year, which is good, keep improving week on week and we will start winning some games, hopefully get the first win at Salford next week, as cannot see us getting anything at saints.

It will not take him long to get back to best form I agree, players like Watkins are too good to play dual reg his rehabilitation as to be in the first team. Patience full stop is required with this team said it before we need to see where we are in 10-12 games then from 12-20 games not two or even first 4-6.

It’s probably as well that we’re getting these losable away fixtures to the top sides out of the way early on actually. These are games even a fully functional Leeds might lose later in the season, whereas we could have a chance at home on the return fixtures if we gel.
Snagging a win away at Salford would be useful, but I don’t think it will be an easy task at all.
I’m not sure Singleton gets back in next time unless there’s an injury or he has a blinder for Fev.
No point in blaming the referee - I don’t rate Thaler but after the forwards laid a platform, our skill level in the backs just wasn’t good enough to win the game. We’re just not good enough at the moment to control games and apply consistent pressure to opposition.

The overall performance against Wigan was a big improvement and we were on the wrong end of some dubious decisions that gifted them 12 points and the all important momentum. The scoreline flattered Wigan and we had a better metre per carry than they did.

We were also not helped by poor performances from our half backs (again) and a really terrible performance from Walker where nothing went right for him and he is unlikely to have such a poor match again. Having said that his flaws were exposed. He is not yet being physically robust enough for a full season of SL at fullback and he looks to me to be trying too hard to go for glory every time he has the ball. He now rarely passes (perhaps why his passing is poor) and is now more easily dealt with by the opposition who know he is not going to pass (a decease that Briscoe suffer from too)

Our back three all were not up to scratch and in a game where we let in 6 tries between them they only made 8 tackles with 6 missed tackles, 6 errors and only one clean break (Handley)

So what are our options?

I certainly would be looking to give McLelland a run soon. From what I have seen and heard he has the talent, toughness and attitude to make it and this should trump any lack of experience. All youngsters until their first game lack experience at this level eg Walker and our golden generation.

We could give young Walker a rest and move Lolohea to F/B giving McLelland a run at 6 or we could bring him in to replace Myler, who had been the least effect of the halfbacks.

However I favour putting McLelland on the bench in place of Parcell so he can cover both halves and hooker (he has played at hooker) and we give him a run in both positions from the bench.

As regards Merrin, I like the look of him and on another day his offloads would have led to victories. I think he is not fully fit which is perhaps why they are spelling him at prop. If he can regain full fitness he can move to the back row and play more minutes.

McClelland will get some chances in first team this year I think. I wouldn’t be moving Tui around just yet, he needs time at 6 to show what he can and can’t do.
Myler for me is under a question though because we already know what he’s about. He’s not great in defence already and perhaps, we wouldn’t have too much to lose giving Callum a run at 7 sometime. He’s lining up at 7 for the academy this weekend.

Agreed. It's too early to bring in McClelland, but he should get some chances later in the season, or sooner if there are injuries etc.

Myler needs to deliver sooner rather than later though, and show he is worthy of being on the fringes of the England team. He's been around the squad long enough (unlike Lolohea), hasn't got the excuse of youth (unlike Walker), and as far as I know, isn't returning from a serious injury (unlike Watkins). It can be difficult for half-backs, but he wasn't playing behind a beaten pack against Wigan, yet was still outshone by Williams (who seems to be finding his form and learning to control games). Hopefully it is just a matter of getting used to the new coaching setup, and the combinations with Lolohea...

I think Furner will get it all right eventually however i don't think it will be this season. He has a huge task of bringing that forward line's age down but making sure he is bringing quality in. With the reduced interchanges i can see your forwards really starting to struggle in the final quarter of the season. I honestly don't think Hurrell will get there, it seems that the ploy is to get it to him and try to get some barge over try's and his defence so far is a little suspect. That could come on with game time of course but he is built more like a RU centre than a RL one. I would seriously put him in the back row. Where that leaves Sutcliffe though i don't know. He is really stuck in his career at the moment. I think Leeds will have to be patient for now and accept that the job that Furner has is a complete rebuild. That is a lot of work. I really rate Walker but he was bad last night. Be interesting to see if Golding get's a run next time out. Will also be interesting to see if Hurrell gets a lengthy ban for the headbutt.

you were going so well until the 'headbutt'.

Thought the backs were generally poor.
Ferres, Dwyer and Peteru had decent games and I thought Donaldson put in a good stint in defence when he came on.
Be interesting to see who gets left out when Crosby is fit.
I agree about Ward every time he gets tackled I look to see if he gets up.
I'm saying nothing about Walker other than he is still young.

ReWalker.I've said before his heart is not at Leeds,vastly overrated.

I couldn't agree more. Walker has potential but is not as good as all the hype he gets from Sky commentators and some fans. I think he's guilty of believing all the hype and often thinks he can take on the opposition by himself. For me, Golding, who's heart is in Leeds, may be not so flash but he's more reliable and always gives 100%.

I’m so glad Leeds don’t go by the Wigan fan coaching manual.
As for he can’t defend, I’d ask Hardaker if his ribs are a little sore still this morning. What do we know though, he’s only been a centre in the NRL for the past few years.

He can't defend stick him in the back row was the bit that puzzled me!!!!!

I think he makes some bad decisions over when to take the line on. That often improves with experience - and ateotd who wants to watch a fullback who never runs? However I would also add that some players never learn.

As i said, that could improve with game time. He could be rusty. Missing tackles at centre you concede try's. Missing tackles in the back row you have covering players to back you up. My point was more in the way you seem to want to use him. He isnt a wigers centre so if he is to be used to smash through defences then his weight and power would be more beneficial in the 2nd row. Its just an observation. In response to the poster before you, just because a player comes from the 'holy grail' that is the NRL doesn't make them automatically good in SL. I wasn't here to be controversial or have an argument, its not my style. Just commenting on what i saw.

Have you ever watched Leeds??? Our wingers and centres are our forwards. If we move Hurrell to 2nd row he will stand and watch Harry Newman carting ball up the middle.

That's the problem we don't have a front rower who can find the floor and create quick ball. Merrin must challenge Furner and demonstrate that Loose Forward is his best position in terms of making a real contribution to the team.

Thing is, if he isn’t our best forward, why are we paying him more than anyone else? And if he is, we need to keep him on the field for good minutes, he’s no good to us panting on the sidelines.

To be fair to Merrin other than 1 poor tackle I thought he was much improved on Friday.