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?

That's the reason why we should looking to bring in a right sided centre.

How can the salary cap be biting? Eastwood was due to be here so therefore his wages must have been available on the cap.

IMO players that come through the youth system should only have 50% of their salary included in the cap this would encourage more development and less quick fixes.

What happens if Eastwood appeal is successful?

Then where stuck with the extra space our CEO took delight in telling us before the season started.

The salary cap isn't biting at Leeds but no amount of money would have kept Smith there. A lifestyle change isn't possible if you stay where you've always been.



I've been more impressed with McGoldrick than either but I wouldn't sign him.



Did you see Watkins' cameo appearance at the Harlequins?

Targetted by Randall in defence - try conceded - knock on at the other end - Phil Clarke walking to York denied - and a sloppy knock on at the play the ball which Ian Smith let him get away with.

Still 12 months from being ready for regular first team involvement.

That try had much, much more to do with Worrall being stampeded over by Tony Clubb and being out of the game rather than at marker when Randall picked up.

Leeds had one marker and a defensive line that wasn't set due to the speed of the play the ball - whichever side Randall would have gone he was going to score.

He still made it easier for himself by running at Watkins.

If he'd run at Watkins then and got over him to score then you might have had a point.

As it was the gap at marker was so big he didn't have to run [iat[/i anyone, he just ran into the gap and got low. Not a lot the A defender can do if the markers are all over the place because one of them can't dominate the tackle properly.

he has an agenda. It fits it to apportion the blame to Watkins.

He'll force a square peg into a round hole if necessary.

Me neither but what have you seen in Shenton that makes you think he would make us any better in the right centre and I include his performance in a very dominant England team in that?

Get away. He has been quite consistent all season in what he has said, and nothing has alluded to not rating Watkins.

Infact, although you keep having this dissagreement with him, in truth you have recently voiced exactly the same view as tvoc. You are actually in agreement with one another. But you wont admit to it.

No he wouldn't - he's drivel.

My agenda is not exposing Watkins in the Leeds centre until he is ready. It's an agenda supported with each appearance he makes in the position and one seemingly shared by the Leeds coaching staff.



And the other two points in the critique?



Webb on Heckenberg?

A chant of one ryan atkins went up at harlequins on saturday have i missed something???

from what I could see Watkins only error was that of turning his back to play which he shouldnt do. i wouldnt say its going to take him 12 months to get rid of that from his game. Had he gone back to the defensive line while watching play i suspect he may have made the tackle