And there you go slipping around and knitting fog.

You said....."the errors is an even bigger concern. And is the very reason why I have changed my view from good winger to average. The errors in the most are inexcusable, and stick in the mind big time."

The errors Gotcha. The errors. It was you that talked about the errors. It was you that said the errors were what caused you to change your mind about Donald, rating him "average" because of the errors. It was you who said the errors were "inexcusable".

All I have done is shown those errors are not an issue at all, they're the same amount as made by Ryan Hall, Kevin Sinfield and Keith Senior.

So, what do you come up with, stats about metres made tackle busts and so on and so forth. Fog knitting at its' worst.

The errors Gotcha. Focus back on the errors that were such an issue for you and which I have shown are not an issue at all and you were, as usual, talking nonsense.

Seeing as you have knitted the fog and introduced Halls tackles into the equation how does that equate with other SL coaches attacking Donald more? Do you know why our own back to back SL winning coach moved Donald onto the right?

You want to talk about fog knitting? seriously, read the ramblings you have posted again.

It is inexcusable errors because he did little else to compensate for it. Look again at the comparison you made to Ryan Hall. Do you not see the difference? Are you really that stubborn?

As for your last statement, I think if I translate it into calm English, rathern than babbling defensive. What you are saying is that SL coaches attacked the right more than the left, which is what someone put above. Care to explain why Hall made so many more tackles than Donald then?

I am absolutely amazed that some self proclaimed expert of the game is trying to compare handling errors of a guy who handles the ball at least 20 times more per game than a winger, and who made over 30 more offloads than that winger throughtout the season, carrying the ball over 150 times more in the tackle. Sinfield is a forward FFS.

The mistake you made was obvious but lets move the discussion on to the foggy areas you've knitted.

Yes, last year Donalds stats did not bear comparison to Halls. Why do you think that might be? Do you think that might be because of Leeds predilection to attack down the left? Do you think that might be because the right winger has had no genuine, quality long term right since Chev Walker left? Did you notice the increase in Donalds' try return during the latter half of the season as Smith grew into the centre role?

Shall I tell you why I think Donald was moved to the right? Well, its' actually not what I think its' what our coach said. Donald was much better than Hall Defensively and he wanted Donald to hold Smiths' hand on the right and Senior to hold Halls' hand on the left. All four did very well in my opinion. Now, our coach clearly has a different view on DOnald to you (as is easily demonstrated by the fact that he selects him every week).

But, despite Senior being on the left Hall made more tackles? Why might that be? Might that be because teams attacked the rookie Hall more than they did Donald? Might that be because opposition coaches agree with Mclennan than Donald was a better option defensively? All of this, of course, being the exact opposite to your looney tune ramblings.

You see, even the fog you have knitted to hid the fekk up you made over Donalds' errors doesn't bear scrutiny.

I agree with that possibility and argued as such at the time but that was an argument for mid last season when Leeds were deciding who to retain, release and promote.

Fact is they retained Donald and having done so the academy prospects will now have another 12 months to wait for their opportunity at Leeds or move on for an opportunity elsewhere as Broughton chose to do. Retaining Donald and then ousting him from the squad (without good cause) is highly unlikely and I expect a big final season from him at Leeds.

You say his errors without compensation elsewhere are a problem but it was his pressured pass to Delaney that helped create the game changing score for McGuire last Friday. That was compensation enough for me on the night.

Can't believe you are still trying despite continuous holes in your argument. It sounds ridiculous. Very stubborn person.

I notice how you missed off the point about trying to compare our Loose Forwards handling errors to our winger. I was still waiting for an answer on that one.

Why have you isolated your argument to clean breaks?

Again, don't dissagree with any of that.

Not called for him ousting. Continually said he should excell outstide Delaney. Just don't think another contact should be a question for next year, it's a simple no to consider.

As for last Friday, entirely agree again, which is why I posted exactly that on Saturday, and why I said above, that I would post positive comment if deserved it.

Scott Donald is a bell-end.

WTF

That solo effort at Wakey 2 seasons ago when he chipped over and collected, scoring in front of us lot under the sticks....

.. Class.

Sir Scotty

You're the only person with holes in their argument. You make a point of how many errors he made, and state that is the primary reason for getting rid whilst dismissing his other stats. Then you move onto Halls other stats and ignore his errors.
Thats a pretty big hole in your argument.
The fact that you think an 18 year old lad playing out of position would do better than Donald shows that you obviously have some kind of axe to grind with Donald.
As evidenced by the fact that you would get rid of him regardless of his performance this season.

erm cos I wrote this

''I agree - 1st season i was waiting for him to break the line and run the length of the pitch but it never really happened for him''

to which you replied



so i think given that he only made 13 all season, or 1 every 2 games is poor

For what little its worth I thought Donald started 2006 poorly and improved to be simply competent, a level he began 2007 on but improved to finished it well. He then had a very, very good 2008 before sliding somewhat last year - but that probably says more about his role in the side last year (that Gareth mentions) than his personal form.

This year I'd expect him to have a season more akin to 2008.

Agree with most of this.
Donald was average in 2006. The fact that he was the best winger in the competition throught 2007 and 2008 doesn't hide that. This form in 07 and 08 coincided with a move to his more natural position on the left.
However when moved back to the right in 09, he was excellent for 90% of the season IMO, with only a shaky start and the (team) blip in form around Easter providing anything you could knock him for. He's a great finisher, covers line breaks against us with his pace, is relativley solid under the high ball and supports the play well.
Not sure what more we could ask for from a wing partnership to be honest, and I'm with Gareth on this, Donald is not one to be knocked.

Thats pretty much my view too. If there was some great young wing prospect in the academy putting pressure on Donald then I may be tempted to let him leave, but as there isn't what would be the point of letting Donald go only to have to bring in a winger to replace him, which to get similar quality would have to be from the NRL.

Not a fan?

whatever anyone thinks of Scott Donald he has left a legacy the try he scored in the 2007 GF has gone down in leeds rl folklore

When Scotty departs at the end of the season I for one will wish him well on his future, but will pass on the misty eyed eulogies from the usual suspects.

Apart from the tail end of 2007 and a crackin 2008 he has performed below par and therein lies the rub.Too many matches when he has shown no appetite for the game and the only thing you could be sure off, was there would be a hell of a gap on his side of the field.

Maybe he simply lacks confidence, and could have a great season outside an excellent centre, but still I have doubts, not about his genuine ability, but about his mind set when the whistle blows.

Looking at 2006 I thought there were times he looked all at sea in attack and defence but I think that's because he really struggled to adapt to the right flank. I was also slightly suspiscious of his fitness in the early weeks.

That said I wouldn't say I doubted his appetite for the game - I don't think there was ever any lack of bottle or an unwillingness to work for the team.

So is it decided? Scotty is to be this seasons scapegoat?

Have you actually read any of the thread?

Call me old-fashioned but I'd far rather watch a winger who can score tries like the 2007 GF than a Vainakolo type any day of the week. With a real centre he should do much better this year.

But why are you basing your assessment of him being poor on clean breaks only?

It's fekwittery of the highest order.

A prerequisite of reading the thread would be an ability to read so probably not.

All those who slate the likes of Donald don't have a clue.

We could always go back to the likes of John Basnett and Richard Pratt.

Donald for me has been awesome for Leeds. scoring plenty of tries as good as I have ever seen. As brisi pointed out donalds try in the 07 gf is as good a try as you will ever see. he's Been a star for Leeds and I would be more than happy to see him stay longer!