I think it was only one. The other was a near miss. In fairness he had to move up to plug a hole in the line because Donaldson was on his ass. You also have to credit the opposition for a great piece of vision. All things considered I just thinks he's a better footballer than Handley and therefore better qualified to play in the spine.

I want to see some half way credible last tackle options executed this week. We can’t use excuses. These are full time pros under the guidance of “rugby genius” Long - if we can’t a) get to a last tackle and b) put even a basic kick in, it is not good enough.

Every single player in the squad should be able to execute basic skill like this, I just don’t get it.

They all get a rest next week because we are out of the cup. So for mine Sunday should be you leave every ounce out on the pitch and play it like a cup final. It may well not be enough but that’s what is expected.

Im not saying rest now because we haven't the numbers but once we get bodies back then I feel one or two could then be spelled. Its a shame Holroyd is injured because our front row is having to play big minutes and come later in the season they could well be busted. We all wanted 6 props before the season but we are functioning with 3 now that Tetevano is out with suspension.

Agree in particular about Holroyd. Think we will need to go full guns to make the 6 and with no more cup games, hopefully that will give a few rests .

I wouldn’t hesitate to put young Gannon in my 17 at the weekend, the kid is class.

If Liam Sutty is available, I’d go with something like this

Broadbent
Briscoe
Mellor
Hurrell
Handley

Sutcliffe
Eastmond

Oledzki
Leeming
Prior
Thompson
Walters
Donaldson

Dwyer
King
Martin
Gannon

I know most would pick Martin in their starting 13, but for one reason or another he’s been garbage so far.

The problem is that Gale is the only player with any vision for last tackle plays. We basically based our whole offense on a guy who's over 30, with a very dodgy injury record in last few years..
Think coaches need to be looked at....

We also lost Lui and McLelland and signed Eastmond.How many half's do we need in the squad?

Don't forget Myler who the club signed as a halfback.

yes forgot Myler. It is too easy to pass blame on the the coaching staff. I think the club had every base covered other than being a prop short.

Fair points about half backs these and I agree was harsh on club.
Just frustrated like everyone else. No club could cope with the injuries we have....

Season from hell so far.

Injuries have ruined start to the season. It can happen to any club. Its happened to us. Just got to keep working thru it.

Fans will accept effort and hard work. Other than KRnt we have had that. Discipline and handling have to be better.

isn't teflon in charge of signings these days

Myler- signed to do a job he was never qualified for, found a more fitting home at FB (credit to him)
Lui- brought in as a steady stop gap to prevent relegation (club tried to get him off the books this year)
Gale- a risk but turned out relatively well hope he can stay fit now
Mclelland- clearly not worked out like was hoped and I can’t see massive improvement in his influence unfortunately
Eastmond- huge risk and a real desperate grab which is still unknown which way it’ll go. One things for sure he needs to start getting involved. Loads of players went a long time without playing but have managed to show more intent.

In truth not one of them (including Gale) excites or fills me with great optimism.

How has such a big club failed to produce a half of any note since McGuire and Burrow?!

Unfortunately no club is producing them.
Most are having to look overseas for half backs.
We probably have the best natural English 7 there is.
But there’s not much coming through by the looks.
Having said that mcLelland hasn’t really been given a chance.
If we let him go I could see him going elsewhere and being successful...

That’s not completely true. In the time frame I mention, Harry smith is developing well, Sam Powell has transitioned well to hooker (another position Leeds can’t produce in)George Williams. sts still getting very good service from lomax and have an academy lad making the bench, and Richardson doing well at cas, whilst they’ve also produced Truman, Hull are well served by sneyd. So hardly that nobody is producing them.

Sadly you are right. Lomax made his debut in 2009. since then George Williams and you could argue Trueman, I may have missed someone but think that is it in 12 years. Posts crossed, Sneyd has been good for FC

You could add Tomkins. Would probably have been better for England if he had stayed in the halves, with Hardaker at FB.

Not sure any of those names will worry the Aussies!
They have a conveyor belt of quality half backs.

Still, Leeds haven’t even produced anyone matching their standard and in Williams a player whose going very well in the NRL.

True.
We’d take any of Trueman, Lomax or Sneyd right now!!
Williams is way out of our league.

Absolutely, only McShane came through but ended up at hooker. I thought Liam Hood would make it at hooker but again moved on.

Only young Sinfield on the horizon at present as a potential half.

Personally, I think we totally lost the plot when Barrie McD was put in charge of the youth set up.

One more half for England - Hastings

Yeh exactly!
Hastings and Austin in the halves for England speaks volumes for the quality we’re producing over here.
Be great to see Sinfield come through.

Harry Smith at Wigan is a super player. A kid ive been impressed with for a while in academy buf standard of young halves and hookers is very poor and not just a Leeds issue.

We had the best young 9 in the country but thats gone now thru no fault of the club.