As rhinoms said, it wasn't really the game to judge Shenton on.

I have to say I agree though that Shenton has hit a plateau at this point in the season and is nowhere near his early season influence or form. I guess it coincides with Castleford's overall performances having done likewise.

The full back(winger) Richard Owen saw plenty of ball last night which helped him stand out but he's not a centre..... yet.

If watkins is brought along and coached right he will be a better centre than both, he has been put under pressure due to a thin squad, i wouldn't mind an experienced aussie in the gidley mould for a couple of years to help bring him through, if he fails to fulfill his potential then shenton & atkins would be out of contract and a cheaper proposition.

Watkins at best will only ever fill one of the centre berths at Headingley though and Senior simply cannot last forever.

Leeds will shortly have two centre positions vacant which is why someone needs bringing in to eventually team up with Watkins.

I did an Open University course on the subject - the binding qualities of banoffee pie are known to start degrading at around 24 months and I can report that there has been some easing of late.

Have you seen the burst drain at the bottom of our street that erupted through the tarmac ?

Its no coincidence

Nor will he be,an out and out full back for mine.

I'd put Atkins in front of Shenton just but simply because he's played on the right I would rather Leeds try to sign Shenton and bring on Watkins slowly to cover for Senior.
As as already been mentioned either player would be an improvement to what we have already.

Dont know where you got that one, he's cas through and through, thought he was going to burst into tears after the last derby (though he always seems to look like he wants to cry does shenny).

I hope you are. Because these self righteous people coming out with this sort of [ie[/i on here is becoming increasingly boring.

Money that Cas would get for Shenton would far better help them out than Shenton staying. Players come and go, and it is up to clubs to match the aspirations of their players if they want to keep them. Not just to keep them to get a closer playing field. If they cant do it then that is their problem, they then need to look to their next best option.

Thought Atkins was left and Shenton right

Shenton plays both but prefers the right.

Shenton is no better than what we currently have, i would be very disappointed if he was to become a Leeds player.

Atkins is supperior IMHO.

Got to agree with you RR, shenton is well over rated and
would'nt be good for the loiners. He would deffinatly be a weak link in your super star'ed squad.


If i was you i'd go for atkins every time.

I agree with you. Shenton's garbage.

shenton every single time for me, don't rate atkins. his diet is crap as well





atkins may get better surrounded by better players mind

plus he banged that wannabe chantel bint from big brother.

We could have tried to snap Atkins up before wakey but he needed time to develop and was too raw/inexperienced. He's got the experience but he still needs development. He could do an Ellis and bloom but given a straight out choice I'd take Shenton everyday at this stages of their careers.

You don't need Shenton. He'd cost a fair bit as he's under contract and I doubt Leeds have enough space.

Anyway he's garbage.








Go for Atkins as Wakefield need the money.

At least twice this year I've watched Cas on TV and been vastly underwhelmed with Shenton and heartily impressed with Owen.

Not that I hanker for us to sign either, just an observation.

Oh and thanks for clarifying that Owen's not a centre. I didn't think he was mind but its' most helpful....

Stop it you two. He'd be a great replacement for Smith on the right.

I suspect Leeds will sign a centre for next year now, and I'd hope it would be an English one.

Interesting question - for the remainder of this season, shoul Smith continue to be picked at right centre? Or given that he's leaving, should Watkins (for example) get more of a chance there?

Ive already mentioned this when the thread first stated up. Should the coaching staff be waisting valuble time working on smith as a centre when they could focus on watkins? Obviously if smith is to be involved(which I expect he will) the club will work hard to get the best out of him for the team. I don't think smith should rot in the reserves but I would like watkins to get more game time now smith has confirmed his future lies else where

Similarly, if Webb gets injured again, should BJB be first call for his replacement? I would have thought that was an even more urgent question for the future.

Good question. NRL teams tend to move the next in line in and prepare for next season when the know a player is leaving or being cut.

However in our case. Watkins was given games at the start of the year and looked out of place. Ablett isn't a centre despite what the numpty boys think. Really dropping Smith from centre would be cutting off our nose to spite our face. He's been the most dangerous player at 3 all year scoring and provinding a threat that has less obvious knock on effects. Tt's no coincidence some of our better games have come with him at 3. Should Watkins hit the straps then giving him another whirl would be an option. If a big game or the GF were tomorrow Smith lines up at 3 100% time with this current squad imo.

Would you cut him??

You pick your best team each week.If we are not going to play Smith he may as well be sent to Wasp now.

With the salary cap biting we're going to have to get used to players leaving, and agreeing to leave before the end of the season. Dropping one of your better players because he won't be there next season is a ridiculous thought. Would anyone here like to have seen Gareth Ellis play less of a role last season? This is Smith's hometown club, he's going to give it 100% and is our best right centre. Watkins is a natural left centre anyway, he's the replacement for Keith IMO.

Out of interest. Why would we have to get used to that?

Our CEO has always championed us for been under the cap. Took delight in telling us that we have space left incase a top player becomes available.

Therefore why should we accept the cap as an excuse for losing Smith?

It might be a case of having a structure in place that cant meet a players needs. But that can not be blamed on the cap surely? surely it is just how you want to manage it?