I know this moment has passed, but felt the need to reply.

Sorry to hear you've had to lay people off Sal, but don't think this isn't affecting all sectors. I work for Leeds City Council and right now we have huge financial challenges. During lockdown, we couldn't furlough staff which means that there was a full wage bill without many income streams being open. This includes things like leisure centres, parks and attractions. Coupled with the fact that we had to maintain and, in some cases, increase services to support and protect some of the most vulnerable people in society AND the fact the government isn't providing the level of financial support that was expected - there is a big budget deficit. Right now there are voluntary redundancy and retirement options, but they won't reach the necessary levels of saving so there will be compulsory redundancies. So this myth that public sector is a job for life is very dated. I know of people with young families that have been told their areas will face redundancies.

You probably don't need to know this but I think it's important to remember that everyone will be affected in some way by what the country has gone through. Now isn't the time to compete on who has it the worse. It's all relative and just because someone has commented on something, it doesn't mean they're exempt from going through a time.

As predicted a public servant who has a job for life - doesn't look like your department is facing any cuts - no wonder your asking for further pain to the vast majority!!

Given that the vast majority of council income comes from business rates how is a further one month lockdown going to help your budget deficit? A further one month lock down will see thousands of businesses go bust and the loss of even more council revenues plus further job losses. Perhaps you just expect us businesses to keep paying the council from our magic money tree?

The leader of Leeds council has asked the government to close bars and restaurants in Leeds on an on going basis - talk about self harm.

Public sector is full of people who are used to spending other people's money and when it runs out asking for more. Perhaps sometime in the private sector might awaken a reality to what it is like when you don't have a safety net? When the worst that can happen is Roundhay Park doesn't get it roses pruned when it should

Sal genuinely believes people in the public sector live comfortable unchallenged lives.
It's so laughably untethered to reality that you have to wonder where it comes from.
And I say this as someone who has worked in the private sector my entire life and enjoyed one administration and liquidation but I know people who work for public sector and his description makes me think somehow he doesn't.

I'm trying to work out if you're having a laugh or really a pretentious plick

Could be both

No just a realist who is paying tens of thousands of pounds in business rates and I have to pay extra to get my bins emptied - the idea that we could simply just close down for month is pretentious - not a lot of fun having to make really good people redundant!!

Easy to say let's have another month of lockdown from your secure ivory tower - perhaps you would like to sit in the next time we make really good people redundant through no fault of their own.

Send me a PM with your email address and will invite you in - you can then see what its like at the sharp end of the private sector and the decisions that have to be made to protect the majority of the workforce

When did I mention a 4 week lockdown? And when I have mentioned an ivory tower? I live in Cas ffs, there's none of them round here.

A realist is someone who accepts a situation for what it is. I just gave some information about public sector that it isn't all rosey for us, but you ignored it and got back on your soapbox about private having it worse. My wife, family and friends work in private sector. I have friends who own businesses that would struggle through another lockdown. I'm intelligent enough to understand the situation and empathetic enough to know the stress and pressure it's putting on people.

I don't know what satisfaction or pleasure you get from making out you're having it worse than others. Life is relative. My wife loses her job, it puts us in a bad situation. Me being in the public sector doesn't make it less so. Maybe I have a bit more job security, but that can change. My service has been drastically reduced because of austerity. But you probably know that because you seem to know everything about me from the few lines I've said here.

I didn't try and belittle your post. I was just highlighting that the effects of covid will be felt by everyone. Try stepping back for a second and looking at the full picture. That private and public sector go hand in hand. They rely on each other. And in both, a lack of money means people lose their jobs. I sincerely hope that you and your staff make it through. It would be nice if you looked outside your bubble and understand what the rest of the world is facing too

I was responding to the original post suggesting a month lockdown which you then posted some sarcastic comment - my response was exactly what your comment deserved.

A realist is someone who tries to mitigate the situation they are in reduce risk - not a difficult concept even for you. You have no idea what it is like so don't try and pretend you do. Knowing someone who has lost their job is not the same as having to tell them - you like the other poster work in the cushy public sector funded by businesses like mine.

I don't what area of the public sector you work in but I would agree there has been a tightening of the belt - in sum areas probably justifiable and some areas probably not.

I am looking at a situation whereby good people not just in my business but in all business are losing their jobs - for what - less deaths than those caused by smoking. We had 70 Covid deaths and 7000 infections roughly half of one percent of all people tested - does the end justify means? Has it been worth crashing the whole economy - the idea of further negative impact is beyond comprehension.

I would agree we need a mixed economy but its a bit rich coming from a poster in a secure public sector position to suggest carte blanche increasing the risk to those in a less secure roles.

Offer again if you want to sit in the next round just let me know - perhaps it will sharpen your sense of perspective and you will see things outside of your little bubble

LOL. Ironic.

Having to tell people they are out of a job is crap but loosing someone is worse. Once this is "over" businesses can rebuild and the unemployed will hopefully get other jobs. There has to be a balance though as no money in means no nhs/police etc. Have we got the balance right? Maybe in theory but too many breaking rules

For all those people who look at the infection levels and death rates and say "it's not worth shutting the economy down", I would point out that the reason why the infection rates and death rates are relatively low at the moment is precisely because we shut the country and economy down earlier in the year. Infection rates are rising at a steady rate and it's pretty straightforward to model what infection levels we will be at in a months time - and it's high, very high. The death rate will begin to pick up the same as it catches up with infections. If anyone is thinking there can't be many people left to infect - think again. Estimate is that only around 5% of the population have had it - maybe a little higher in London. You are looking at 85-95% of the population of the UK who have not yet had Covid.

I'm not saying the solution is to close everything down again but the argument that the "small number" of deaths at the moment doesn't justify it is not a viable one. If we keep things as they are then everyone should be prepared for a significant rise in infection and death toll by the end of the year. We are now in a balancing act between deaths, educating our kids and keeping what's left of the economy alive. The fact we have the dumbest government in living memory doesn't fill me with optimism. nd please no - "it would have been worse under Corbyn" rubbish, It's a totally moot point. Fact is this govt is full of thicko's led by the "Joker" (Dominic Cummings) who just wants to see the world burn.

By the way, be prepared for a total nationwide lockdown over a two week period covering school half term. This is what the govt has been touting as a "firebreak" policy. It's going to happen. Get the bog roll in now.

In all honesty, I'd hate to work for you because you're one of the rudest and obnoxious people I've had the displeasure of conversing with. There was nothing sarcastic about my comment at all, and if you read it that way it says more about your mindset. I said everyone is going through a tough time. But top trumps for you, you obviously have it worse than everyone. I honestly couldn't think of anything worse than being in your company so won't take you up on that offer.

And don't make me out to be thick. I'm not! I make my judgement about you from the way you speak to people on here. For some reason you think you hold more weight in conversations than others. Get off the high horse. You're no better than anyone else on here. You have your opinion but learn to accept others without patronising others. You don't know what I know. You don't know the conversations I've had about the affects of this lockdown on business. In fact, you know feck all about a fair few things. Unfortunately someone has given you this false belief that you're some sort of oracle.

This is me signing out of this conversation because you refuse to take anything on. All you want to say is people in the public sector are secure, which we aren't. We're also funded by central government which a genius like you knows. Since 2010, we've had to save £1.7bn. How would any business cope with that?

Finally, stop putting words in my and telling me what I've said, when I havent. Honestly. Good luck to you
You come across as someone who enjoys flipping pancakes. I just pray I never have the bad luck to cross your path.

There was definitely a trident involved.

Think I need to lay off the red meat for a while

So.......anyway......

O'Connor 54 Tackles
Walters 44 Tackles
Muizz 34 Tackles.

Superb all 3.

You guys should watch TV2’s “All That We Share” on YouTube...

But but youngsters are not ready, they will get a game when everyone rested and games close together. No really.

Seriously though, especially in the case of Tindall this week, why have they been overlooked now for the squad for weekend? I know he won’t play, but why is Luke Briscoe ahead of Tindall in the squad for Saturday. The experience of squad selection would have been good for him, especially after putting in the performance.

Maybe trying to keep him from getting ahead of himself. These lads need to go back now and work hard to improve. Be interesting to see what the club does going forward now. I really hope we see 1 or 2 play in a much stronger line up and not be left to the next time weve a 3 game week.

The club and the youngsters should have learned a lot on Wed and that has to put to good use.

If im honest in the back of my mind i always wondered if Walters would be tough enough, he proved he is big time. Never doubted hes got the talent and skills for it. He needs a game surrounded by a stronger pack now which will benefit him even more.

Tindall was fantastic i agree.

The club now should know now they can trust these kids and wont be let down at all.

Completely agree, there’s an opportunity there to reward Tindall and challenge Briscoe getting the best out of both of them. As you say even just for the position of a squad place.

I think Agar said something in his presser about it showed that some of the lads are ready and it could influence his squad choices going forward (I'm totally paraphrasing as I can't quite remember how he phrased it)

For me Tindall looked totally ready physically to get more game time, I would also like to see him in the squad most weeks even if he doesn't play every week.

There were a few others that looked a bit light to me, Corey Hall especially but they are very young so they will fill out naturally.

Tindall, Muizz, Walters, Oconner and Harrison are the ones that I would like to see more of this yer.

Tindall definitely on the cusp of replacing L Briscoe on one wing agreed. Second row is harder when we have first grade players available, but hopefully those lads will get their opportunity in the "full" side at some point.

I don't think anyone who played big minutes against Cats was going to play against Wigan too.

I'd like to see some of the young lads we didn't see against Catalans play this year too - even if it's for spells. Hope Walker pulls up alright, going to be interesting who gets selected at FB for Wigan.

Considering it was Walters first game in nearly a year he showed hes definitely ready.

Yet we d!cked around bringing in Evans Tnompson Ferres & Harrison whilst Luke Briscoe gets games as well.


When our 1sr choice 17 isnt available or we rotate these young lads deserve the shirts more than any journy man or has been.
Hopefully the penny has dropped & Sinfield remembers exactly whst worked when he & the Golden generation got their chances at 1st Team RL.

Arguably that's exactly what he is doing, there were quite a few seasoned 'journey men' in the teams when they came through.