Our flowing attack stopped when Smith got hold of the ball. He had no idea what to do with it. Sutcliffe wasn't much better, but he is capable in attack from centre. Just a turnstile in defense.

I can see the thinking behind this selection. Newman isn't a "winger's centre" and it won't do him any harm to swap to wing a little bit.
Sutcliffe's opportunities at back row look limited and so maybe covering centre/FB/half will be his thing.. again..
Dwyer and Myler benched and Agar will want to see how they respond.
Good to see big Mik and Cam Smith in the starting side - everyone's hoping both can step up a gear this year.
A Sutcliffe and Muizz look to be the next in line from the younger ones then.
Would imagine Myler will come on and replace Gale at some point, with it being Gale's first competitive game in an age.

Cam smith needs to step up several gears, mik needs to kick on but he is fighting for a bench prob spot with Martin back smith needs a big off season to get near the team

I can see Smith taking a bench spot next year. Plus we are going to get injuries in the back row at some point - he’ll get games.

Very interested to see how Muizz goes next year, he has the ability to make things happen...

Re Newman on the wing, I was chatting to a well respected Youth development officer the other day and he reckons wing and not centre is his future. If we are to get an experienced middle or outside back as is suggested then either Newman moves outside on the wing or we get a first choice winger imo a centre with pace and strength to compliment Hurrell would be best.
Another big prop and we might be half decent!

I don't get this at all. Newman's biggest strength is his ability to create a gap and go between two players. He's 100% a centre.
He has weaknesses in his game, of course - he needs to work on his defence and his interaction with his wing - but his balance and eye for a gap make him potential star quality at centre (remember he's still only 19).

I'd go with that assessment too.

Agreed!

I'm on the fence with this one. Actually I think Jack Broadbent could be a better centre than Newman.

Newman reminds me a little bit of Karl Pratt, in that he's very steppy and evasive, but maybe not outright quick enough.

We do lack pace on the flanks and I'm not sure Newman solves that- but he would score tries. He is a bit greedy and I'm not sure how good his pass is to release the winger - maybe being on the end of things could suit his game better.
Still very young and loads of development in him - I do think we're better with him on the field.

I've really enjoyed watching the Leeds academy over the past couple of seasons, can't wait to see them start to develop into first grade. This is a very young team Leeds are growing here and we need to be patient with them. The Goldens took a few years to settle and perform as well.

Very good post and agree with most of what you say. I’m not saying Newman is no good in the centre but he does need to learn how to pass and when to pass to his winger.
I think if we were to sign a good pacy and strong centre then Newman would learn from him.
Just my opinion and I am sure people will have their own which I will respect.

Newman is quick enough for centre.The little I've seen of Broadbent I thought he lacked pace.Also how tall is he because the Leeds hand book has him down only 5ft 8?

No Broadbent is a 6 footer. Good centre too.

Is he quick?

Not winger-quick (probably similar to Newman on the gallop), but he is a more complete centre in his skill set IMO. Newman is an explosive athlete with great footwork; different animals.

Broadbent is younger than Newman (only just turned 18 I believe) and understandably looks less like the fully finished article physically than Newman. The only vacancy for him at Fev last season was on the wing, which again isn't his position, and with Hardcastle, Minns (when fit), Worthington and maybe Alex Sutcliffe competing for centre spots at Fev, it wouldn't surprise me if Broadbent ended up on loan somewhere like Bradford, or back at Batley, assuming he has recovered from injury, having broken his jaw playing for Batley against Fev in September.

I’d have him in the reserves at Leeds, we are going to need some players to make a side.

He has some real quality about him does Broadbent, I’m hoping he progresses. So hard to call it even at 18/19.

I think what Newman does have is an absolute will to succeed. I can see him making progress and causing lots of problems for opposition when he fills out a bit.

Wakefields 19 man squad.

Ashurst, Atkins, Croft, Crowther Green, Gwaze, Hampshire, Jowitt, Kershaw, King, Kirmond, Lyne, Miller, Pitts, Tangata, Tanginoa, Walker, J Wood, K Wood.

Struth, we should put 50 on that team!

Don’t reckon much to Ashurst at Fullback...

Leeming on crutches not thought to be serious and Mellor injured in training and will miss out.
Muzzi not fit enough to play.
Johnson to start with Alex Sutcliffe in the SR
Albert and I think Broadbent brought into the squad.

That's not a great start is it.

Only the first friendly but especially with Leeming, the squad needs as much time together in training and friendlys to build up partnerships.

Given I've not seen much of Johnson I am keen to see how he goes against a pretty average looking wakey team of he does start.

Can't wait to get back on the terraces.

Muzzi not fit enough to play is that because he's injured or out of condition.?

Don't think I'll bother, wait for Rob/JJB game

Some positive signs especially Gale & Ward

We look quite lively with Gale and Myler on the paddock at the sam time