Good point well put!!
But in your earlier post you did say had we lost it would of "largely" been down to gibson's performance which i think i've clearly pointed out as harsh and inaccurate.

I'd rather the club wait and see how he goes for the rest of the season.Unless he's outstanding then a 12 month deal at best is what I would offer.

For Leeds to have lost they would have had to score fewer points or Hull would have had to score more. That was a hypothetical situation but had it arisen Yeaman running at Gibson is where I saw it happening most.

As I have said many times previously Gibson for me isn't big enough, quick enough or explosive enough to make a top class centre. We'll see.

Should Leeds extend his deal further then I think it will say much about their recent recruitment and retention policy which IMO has been lacking that of a top line club. The losses of Toopi, Ellis, Scruton and shortly Smith with only Buderus (not a replacement for any of the above) coming in so far leaves the Leeds squad vulnerable.

When Leeds have their first choice seventeen/eighteen available they are still a match for anyone on their day but the squad overall is weaker this season than the last two Championship winning ones.

How would you compare him to Ablett who was a GF winning centre last season?

I wouldn't. Ablett isn't what I'd consider a centre.

Keith Senior is a centre.

It always makes me smile when a person is described as "a former MOS" or a "GF winner last season" or the" highest try scorer of 5 years ago"

Past success is no indication of present form, with an admittedly improving Scott Donald a perfect example of this. Nor, I suspect is my 25 yard breastroke certificate from back in the day, any guarantee of a rostrum place in the London Olympics.

Gibson or Ablett? To be honest I don't see a great deal between them at the moment, both have the remaining matches to stake a claim, and good luck to both of them.

Ok so he's an improvement on a GF winning team then.

I've not seen enough of Gibson this term to draw a conclusion. My guess though is that theclub are probably looking for a better centre. If they can get a deal Gibson will be released, if no announcement on a new centre is made by mid to late August Gibson will be offered a new contract.

The Leeds right centre is stronger still with Smith left there in place of any other option currently available but the club don't appear to trust Jones-Bishop to fill in for Webb's abscence at the present time.



That is a likely scenario. Having failed to land a replacement Gibson could well be retained. That to me is the club settling for second best though which is unfortunate.

Whilst I can understand your disappointment about second best players for the money you're going to be paying you have to be sure that the replacements are a vast improvement on what you already have.

The club seem to be planning for the future by signing Ambler, Coady and possibly Amor to supplement their underage sides.

For next season (assuming no replacement for Sinfield is required) I think the priority is a prop with a centre somewhere behind given the players and squad depth available. ( I'm assuming Eastwood will be a no-show at this stage)

The other problem is that quality Aussie imports are becoming rarer with the new visa rules (You won't be able to sign any Roosters soon)

I don't think they will sign another prop imo. Unless they decide Burgess or Bailey are no longer required. We have, Peacock, Bailey, Burgess, Leuluai, and Kirke or JJB who can fill in there. They also have Ambler for the coming seasons hopefully. 2nd row as GH has already said is a problem where we are short, and so is the right centre position.

An opinion we share on this occasion. Not going to run over or around people with size, pace or footwork, which means his winger is always going to be struggling to get the sort of space Hall gets outside Senior and the side is going to be unbalanced.

I agree also. Spot on there.

These type of signings suggest there's something of a failure at the Academy level at present. I can see the merit of speculating to accumulate through the lower leagues though and have advocated doing so.



I can agree with those priorities for team strengthening.

That just leaves Ablett, Buderus,Ali, Diskin and Sinfield at present with Worrall as backup.

Given that players will miss, at a guess, about an average of 5 games a season through suspensions, injuries, England call ups, Sinfield playing in the halves, Ablett as centre cover etc (not taking into account fatigue factor if the club has a good cup run) these 11 plus Worrall for 9 (and sometimes 10 match spots leaves the club very tight and that's without any long term injuries

Oh i agree, In an ideal world, I'd love another prop don't get me wrong. I just feel when you look at the squad, we're better off in the prop department than in the 2nd row (quality wise).. an ideal signing would be a 2nd rower who can also operate at prop imo.

The club agreed and tried to sign Greg Eastwood for that very role.

They now need to source a replacement for Greg Eastwood.

But given the backs of Webb, Hall, Senior, Gibson, Donald, McGuire, Burrow with backup of BJB, Watkins, Ablett, Sinfield, Ratu I think it's more important to bring in two forwards than a forward and a centre although if we cannot get tqo forwards of the necessary satanard one forward and one back would be a compromise. But if they are to bring players in they neec to be players that dramatically improve the current squad.

Yep. They sure do. Sam Burgess please.

Yep. Sam Burgess please...

I agree with you on 99% of things and most of the time you say what I would have (you super intelligent man you) but I think you have this one wrong. You don't need size, electric speed or power to be a good centre. While that certainly helps and makes things easier for the player I think finesse and ball in hand count for alot. Brad Godden wasn't the biggest or quickest but he put a winger over. While gibbo is short of the level Godden was at I see him in the same mould with ability to put his winger in. Plus as he proved, he can finish himself too. He showed lots of promise coming onto the scene but has played little rugby since his injury. He can play at the top level. I'd give him 1 more year and then decide.

Keith signing on 1 more year does leave recruitment in an awkward position. Should it be Keiths last season and we start to fade him out Gibson then Watkins (watkins more for wing) could be used as well as bringing in an experienced centre. 4 centres might be a bit much but I think from Watkins displaus so far he's more than 1 season away from a regualr.

Get rid, he's a turnstile with limited latteral movement,.

I'll forgive you the 1% this time.



Godden was excellent, I don't see Gibson remotely in the same class in either defence or attack although I see why (in stature) you might wish to make a comparison.

Watkins needs to find some composure and consistency to match his undoubted speed and overall potential. When that will arrive is the only question for me. Hopefully by the time Senior calls it a day, whenever that comes to pass.

Watkins is a natural left centre and will be our replacement for Keith. As much as I like Gibson, I think the recruitment of an out and out right centre is essential, and if Gibson has to make way for that, then I wouldn't be too sorry to see it. If we can keep him as backup to Shenton (or whoever, sorry Cas fans) then great.

No Coady is seniors replacement! If all goes well.

Any chance we can wait and see how he performs at Super League level first before handing him a legends number 4 shirt?