I'd like to see Sutty play in the centre from the start tomorrow just to see him out wide and see how his handling and running skills handle the extra room, He's definitely a line breaker so why not?

Leave Sutcliffe where he was prior to Hall's withdrawal at Salford - in the middle of the field where he can get his hands on the ball and take some responsibility off Sinfield.

Shunting him around to fill gaps when there are other alternatives much more experienced in a range of positions won't help his development.

I disagree AG, i firmly believe that this is the time to find out what Sutty can do and where too

If and when Magsy comes back into the first team then we may need to have to rely on his versatility this season and possibly when the big games come around

Long term Sutty will find his position that best suits him and the club

I'd normally agree Andy but we're getting to the stage of the season where what's better for the team right now is more important than a player's long term development.

Besides, Sutcliffe's been playing out wide as a running 6 anyway and it's not that much of a change of role from what he has been doing. I Moon's absence I'd be tempted to play him there with Sinfield and Burrow at halves and McShane at 9.

hahahaha are you serious? burns will get his head knocked off his shoulders. I know who my money would be on! lol

From a cheap shot from behind....etc....

I've heard you like a chap shot from behind.

I'll DM you with an invite next time.

Minchella played for the 19s tonight.

So duck worth also drops out of the 17 suit life to centre

Dude - your spell checker has a mind of it's own.

I think your saying Duckworth also drops out of 17, and Sutcliffe to centre?

Did Duckworth also play for 19's? I thought it was just Minchella?

Duckworth didn't play for the 19's neither did Foster Minns played in the BR.

Lineups are:
Leeds Rhinos: Jones-Bishop, Duckworth, Watkins, Hardaker, Hall, Sinfield, Burrow, Leuluai, McShane, Peacock, Ablett, Clarkson, Sutcliffe. Subs: Foster, Moore, Kirke, Singleton

Hull KR: Hall, Hodgson, Salter, Gleeson, Caro, Burns, Dobson, Tuimavave, Hodgson, Walker, Lovegrove, Cox, Mika. Subs: Withers, Netherton, Ollett, Green

Thought Duckworth was possibly the only positive to take out of the game.

What? Even after tonight? He's just too flimsy...and the attempt on the scorer of HKR's second try was woeful. Hardaker would not have conceded that try.

BJB's much better on the wing where he has that previously stated understanding with Watkins.

Bit harsh don't you think. Yes he should have stopped the try by going for him a second earlier, and Hardaker probably would have stopped it, but I don't think his team mates helped him out at all in the game. No protection at kicks, and horrible passes in traffic to him all the time.

Duckworth looked very good, although if he looked like replacing any winger last night it was Hall.

I see what yer saying Gotcha re-Bjb not getting much help but he was poor for that Lovegrove try and looked nervous most of the game.

It's not the right time to be swapping players about. McDermott got it all wrong last night for me.he should of either put faith in duckworth at centre or put Ablett in there. Watkins and bish know each other inside out and Ablett has played centre to hall before. When shipping it out last night you could see the line all over the place. We were just playing off the cuff rugby. No structure at all.hopefully we will have a few body's back next game and revert back to normal positions.

Agreed. I still prefer BJB on the wing to FB though. Everytime he ran the ball up he was driven backwards. Think he made more yards backwards than forwards. But he was given hospital passes most of the game. The attack last night stood out for me as sluggish disjointed. Poor passing and predictable.

BJB has looked a liability in defence for a while now. last night was awful though. his attempted 'tackle' on lovegrove was pathetic

Yes BJB should have stopped the score but you cannot be sure Hardaker would have stopped the try as although much more physical he lacks positional sense and might not have been near enough. Whoever played at FB for Leeds last night was onto a hiding to nothing. The first mistake for the same try was by Sinfield I think who opened up a big hole.

My first suggestion you will recall was to play Sutcliffe at centre thereby leaving Hardaker at FB and BJB on the wing. I rate Sutcliffe and he has some class however I am not convinced yet that he has ability to run a game and last night never showed enough in a pivotal role. His tackle bust and offload were centre skills which he has in abundance.

IMO only JP showed up well enough in the pack and the sooner we can get JJB & Delaney fit again the better. Sinfield had something of a nightmare and until he woke up in the final quarter he failed to provide the direction and creation Leeds need to succeed. McShane offered little and meant Burrow had to revert to acting half back and despite the usual comments from the Anti-Burrow Faction (ABF) he did what he always does. To compare him with Dobson is an ABF cheap shot as after all these years it shows a failure to understand how our players play. In the Leeds side the Dobson role is taken by Sinfield. When Burrow wasn't running and trying to create an opening or space we had the alternative offerings from his team mates that was poor passing and 2nd rowers getting in the way of ball that should have gone to the centres. Ablett for all his efforts all too aften died with the ball.

The team made far too many errors and our finishing was very poor and the players seemed to think a win was a certainty. All credit to a much weakend HKR outfit that were really up for it. Their defence was outstanding with very quick line speed hugely aided by the ref's idea of the offside laws. While our defence was ok, our line speed and aggressive tackling were poor.

As time ran out Sinfield, stopped day dreaming about his Salford offer, and started to pass out wide and over the heads of our blinkered 2nd rowers. This created enough chances to win the game.

On the positive side this was a good work out in what was play-off style pressure. It could well give us the kick up the backside we needed and get some urgency and sharpeness in our game. Despite being not at the races the team still had that never say die attitude and it was not for the want of effort we lost. The players need to improve their handling, lines of running and offloading skills and have some answers to the rushed defence as the opposition coaches will have made plenty of notes last night.

As I have remarked before and will continue doing so the hooking Position is a major problem. This is causing players to be played out of position thus affecting the teams performance .
I think everbody is in agreement that in future whatever the circumstances Hardaker should always remain at full back.
Likewise BJB should remain on the wing.
I just hope last nights performance was a blip and things will improve, if not we will win nowt this season.

I've seen quite a bit of Rovers this season. I think the "weakened side" is a red herring. Since they started fielding all these youngsters they've had more belief and more enthusiasm. They look a better team. They are heavily reliant on Dobson, but they haven't missed many of the first-teamers who have been out.

Back tracking now are we?



I stated elsewhere before the match that positions FB and RW/RC should be maintained; the changes should have only come on the left. Hardaker is a fantastic FB especially on one on one efforts: BJB was more like Webb at his worst with his feeble attempt....he's much much better on the wing.
However, the huge problem as you state was the awful pack effort, apart from Singleton in the main. McShane looks more shattered and lacking in confidence than ever before - good coaching you think?


Kirke the shirk should have been dropped at the begining of the season; Burrow is a fantastic combatant and is mr dynamo, but will never ever be the answer as main hooker. Terrible performance all round and I am so damn well glad I am not one of the poor to be pitied season ticket holders.

Duckworth looked strong and generally promising (Vickery anybody?) but outright pace is certainly not an apparent part of his armoury. His chase back on HKR's second try was not up to much. Ryan Hall mark 2 maybe?