Is a half back only as good as his pack and his runners?

without a doubt. but for mine mcguire has kicked on and burrow has gone backwards behind the same pack

Based upon what?

A man of the series in an international competition? A Harry Sunderland performance?

Burrow's form has been patchy this season. Aside from Hall and Peacock the same can be said about every Leeds player.

Burrow is the incumbent GB/England Scrum half, has emerged into a quality international player and his best years are still ahead of him.

Still, his current form isn't "world class" right now and so our moronic fan base say we should get rid.

I know I am a stuck record but we do have the WORST fan base in the league.

Typical Whino fekkwittism.

Think about that statement. Then think about TVOC's point.

McNally was here. We attempted to sign him. The player saw what TVOC has illustrated and chose to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Why do Leeds fans think that if our club is interested in signing a player that player will automatically sign for us?

It takes two parties to sign a contract. Leeds were interested. the player wasn't.

We are truly blessed at half back and will be for the foreseeable future. EVERY single club in this league would love to have a settled international half back pairing that have over 150 games together under their belt and at least four more years in them. Every club.

Why is his best years still ahead of him?

Because 20-30 years ago players peaked at an older age?

Not that Burrow should not be different, but you need to watch the modern game Gareth, the majority of players do not get better with age these days. More players make a name for themselves younger then live on the back of that for a couple of years before been found out. Of course there is exeptions, but happens more the other way these days.

Perfect examples, Fielden, Wellens, Horne, Feather

.

I was speaking with Danny Brough after the Wakey versus Wigan game the other week, and he pretty much said exactly the same as Sgtwilko. Thats a current player playing against Burrow, said pretty much the same. That he felt Burrows game had been worked out by players, and he seems to have taken one too many hits. Which is why Brough switched back to eligbible to play for England. Of course he could be wrong, and personally I dont think Brough as a cat in hells chance of playing for England. But pretty much what sgtwilko put is spot on at this current time.

And whilst there is plenty of time for him to turn it back around. Why would it be wrong to have some solid competition in the squad for that shirt? You appear to work on the fact that we dont need another player for scrum half because Burrow has that shirt for a few years. I do hope Burrow does not think like that, because is form will certainly not improve with that attitude.

And by the way, I am not for one minute suggesting we dispose of Burrow. But no player should be a cemented place, like you seem to be suggesting.

Its a fact of life for SL within SL that you can't have a backup for each position. We have the cover within the squad to not need a backup scrum half.

You could argue that teams with international half back would then potentially limit the chances of up and coming players in the same team. Maybe the 25 man squad limit isn't as helpful for developing a depth of English talent, as it is for providing a level competition

You should always have a backup for each position. But not necessarily star back up.

You make a valid point. But what you don't want is to be in a position where you can not attract a potential star because he feels the current player in that position at a club as it sewn up for a number of years. That is not progress.

:1f7n30q9Why aren't they?

:1f7n30q9Eh?

:1f7n30q9 Condescending much?

I do watch the modern game. Sean Long, Stacey Jones and Allan Langer all developed a much better all round game as they get older and their pace and acceleration diminished.

:1f7n30q9Like who?

:1f7n30q9Perfect examples of what? Players who don't play scrum half? Excellent examples to take the discussion further......

:1f7n30q9Brough has been dissing Burrow and McGuire since a very early age because they were generally picked for junior rep sides at his expense. Meanwhile, the suspended Danny Brough is about to be ousted from his umpteenth club. If Mr Brough and his peers have sussed Rob's game then I wish them luck in unseating him from the England number 7 jersey.



:1f7n30q9Wouldn't be wrong at all. If we unearth a better player than Burrow then I hope he's got the sweet-breads to stcik around and make the jersey his. Clearly te likes of McNally, Tansey and others didn't think they were better than Burrow and McGuire.

I love that phrase, what did he mean by "worked out"

When was it "worked out"? before or after his 2 recent GF wins?

A world class prop who has been driven into the ground by Nobby

A slow but class fullback who got slower with age

A young lad who broke his neck and nearly had to quit rugby

On the other hand, Morley, Peacock, Jones, Senior, Cunningham, Long, Gidley, Menzies, Drew, Buderus, Barrett etc all the wrong side of 21 and well and truley "found out"

Spectacularly missing the point.

Are Menzies, Senior, Cunningham, Long, Drew, Buderus, Gidley, really the same player they were 4-5 years ago?

Are they b0ll0cks. Which is exactly what I said.

The players you mentioned are certainly still very good players. But 4-5 years ago, they certainly did not have "their best years ahead of them", did they?

Are you suggesting that players should be involuntary retired at 26?

And yes IMO forwards peak in their later years

It rather depends on the sort of player you are IMO.

If you're a winger that is reliant on pace only then as that decreases over time so does your effectiveness.

If you have a few mores strings to your bow you can go on longer.

One thing is true, as you get more experienced your ability to read a game improves so this can make up for the legs going.

IMO Burrow's main asset is his pace, he'll need to develop other parts of his game to be as effective in 5 years time but I expect this will happen as he gains experience.

That's not what I said at all.

I asked G1 the question as to why Burrow's best years are ahead of him. I don't think they are, and it is an old myth that players peak at a later age. I think Bullseye says it best below with regard Burrow. His best asset is his pace, which is something that will diminish each year.

Players, like the ones you gave as examples have a major part to play despite age. Mainly because of their experience and skill levels.

But I have seen nothing to back up a statement that the likes of Burrow has his best years ahead of him. I made clear I was not advocating getting rid of Burrow.

yes, but if the fecktards on here had there way it would happen at some other club whilst we covet someone from the NRL or some kid who has shown some flashes of brilliance in the national Leagues.

let me ask you this Bullseye. Just exactly how many of your dearest relatives limbs would you give to have McGuire & Burrow as your half back partnership for the next four years at the Bulls?

I think Bullseye said it best when he said



...or did you not read that bit?

Personally I don't think Burrow's pace is his best assett. Its his acceleration, which IMO would diminish less

No I saw it. It's just that usually you see that in a player earlier if they are going to have the ability. I have not seen anything from Burrow to suggest that is an asset in his locker.

He has assets, but I just don't see that one.

Who younger than Burrow in the SL is better at it than him?

I do.

Which aspect of his Harry Sunderland performance in the 2007 Grand Final do you think took the eye?

Or his performances in the series win over NZ that same year?

Burrow is our midfield general. He is the most vocal and organisational (I know that is not really a word) of our 3 halves. I've seen that developing over the past few years.

What? reading the game?

Well for starters Dobson is far superior in every facet, and I belive he is younger.

Myler is superior to both in every facet, and he is younger still.

This is not a Burrow slagging session. He has excellent qualities. I am just responding to the statements made.

my opinion nothing more nothing less. i think maggs has developed his game more. the thought of getting rid of burrow is stupid!! agreed. as you say his best years could well be infront of him i just wanna see him kick on. as you posted yourself in the last few weeks burrow has gone backwards since bluey took over.

agreed!! im a missive burrow fan and all players go through periods of poor form but parts of his game are weak! weaker than many half backs in our game.

I think it's at best arguable that Burrow is inferior to Dobson or Myler. Neither Dobson or Myler have performed on the big stage like Burrow. Dobson is a slightly different type of player anyway and so it comes down to how your scrum half fits into the team Going on past performances Leeds have done very well with McGuire and Burrow at halfback.

Nobody needs to remind me how important it is to have a reliable, settled half back pairing. Especially one that is proven in big SL games and has many years left in it. You're hardly struggling at the moment are you? Ok so you've lost twice to Saints this season but there's still all to play for and no suggestion that the current slight lull in form is the sign of it all falling apart. You're not about to be joining us near the foot of the table in a great hurry!

At Leeds you're witnessing one of the best teams you've had since I started watching 25 yrs ago. You need to remember that before being over critical. Two titles in a row FFS! What more do you want? The days of Wigan-esque dominance are gone.

That's the long and short of it.

Our fans are numpties.