I hope you're right but I think we should give it time as the season is only eight days old. Having two wins on the board with a number of fortuitous calls going our way obviously helps the situation as well.

I agree. It is early days, and I think that this season is a transitional season, when I hope to see some our younger players given their head.
Inevitably, they will make errors through lack of experience, and some will perhaps not develop as hoped. This may come back to haunt us in the short term, perhaps losing us some games. It is a long term investment well worth making IMO and may prevent or at least delay the loss of some of the future stars to Union or, indeed, other clubs..

I have a real feeling that once Bailey is back in the squad, Kirke will be dropped out.

I'd rather have the feeling that the squad is picked on fitness and form (rather than out and out reputation) and that no-one is dropped after a good performance in the shirt.

Of course players returning from injury also need an opportunity to step up once they become available.

Kirke's a bit of an enigma to me. At 6 foot 4 and nearly 18 stones, he should be causing a lot more damage to the opposition than he does. That said he's certainly shown willing this season, and on Friday really stepped up his game.

Bailley may have to up his game as well, if he's going to be in contention for a spot. Which means of course, there's some healthy competition at Headingley.

Along with 2 wins against 2 poor sides who are just making up the SL numbers.

I mentioned this on Friday night, I honestly cant see McDermott dropping a player who is on form, to me he doesnt seem that sort of coach

I certainly don't disagree with your comments about Friday's game but "this season" presumably includes his 4 carry display last Sunday?

I suspect that Kirke continues to offer pretty good value for money. You can't fill your whole squad with world beaters. He comes in, covers two positions and does a decent job, rarely lets anyone down (Wembley "tackle" on Atkins being an exception). I think that makes him a valuable squad player.

As for Leeds' prospects this season, it's very early days, but 2 wins in the bank at this stage, out of what could have been 2 fairly tricky games, isn't a bad return. We don't look weak in any position and have a couple of big names to come back. Lots of improving to do, but I'd rather do that improving with points in the bag. Hard to look much beyond Wigan and Saints for the top 2 at the moment, but it's a long season. I seem to recall it being quite hard to look past Leeds until mid July in 2005, for example. I think a top 3 finish is realistic, and I wouldn't rule us out of the silverware at the moment.

Agree with all that El Diablo, except perhaps Saints being an obvious choice for top 2. I'm not sure they look as strong as in previous years, especially in the backs. In fact they are probably at a similar stage of transition to us, ie. Integrating some younger players but still with plenty of quality to be competitive and challenge for silverware.

Wigan looked impressive from what i saw on the SL show last night, some cracking tries with the ball going through lots of hands

Following last years success, with the same coaching structure, similar player and some high quality additions I think they will hard to beat. I don't think they're unbeatable but they are as solid as anyone defensively and have some great ball players going forwards.

indeed.

To be fair, it did look more like the Bradford side from the last 20 minutes at Cardiff than the one from the opening hour of that game.

Going to be a long old season for the Bulls fans IMO - be interesting to see how many of the "new" season ticket holders stick it out.

I dont think Kirke is ever gonna be an England Int (but then again i never though Darrell Griffin would be either) but he puts in the effort like against Bratford and Cas away last season chasing back especially Cas game we had won and there were no real need for him to chase that far but to defend the points against tally. I think every team needs the hard working players!

Wigan were extremely impressive, aided and abetted by some poor Bradford discipline & ball control.

Having said that, their intensity suggested they're very much set on hitting top form for the WCC - they should put in a good showing, judging by yesterday - so it'll be interesting to see how they fare once that focus is diluted.

They do. And that is NOT Ian Kirke for the vast majority of the time.

Let's remember, he made 4 carries in round 1. 4 carries. Yes, he was much better when he had to be last Friday but his praise is getting a little out of hand now. Let's see him string 3 or four consecutive displays together before we give him the fanfare, when displays like Friday are the rarity and not the regular.

Also, chasing down wingers is nice, but it's not the main attribute I am looking for in a forward.

Says you. You probably started it.




Especially as for the one V Castleford he was stood having a breather about 30 yards behind play when the ball got to Dixon. Incredible how some people manage to ignore that.

You scrooge tvoc!

He's a good squad player, Kirkey. He won't be on a huge whack and he has dependable hands. He doesn't usually miss tackles and has a fair bit of pace for a big forward. On the other hand he rarely hits his weight and rarely wins a collision. It's frustrating because he could be a lot better. He wouldn't be in my first choice 17 but he is dependable.

Just saying like. I thought I was being my usual charitable self.

Nah then.

Just like to say he were a bluddy disgrace on Friday night.

Inappropriate footwear which has not gone unnoticed. They think we are bluddy stupid and they will gerraway wi it. Not happening sunshine.

Thanking you kindly.

That'll teach me.



Quite. He was probably exhausted from the 2 hit ups he'd made during that 2nd half.

spot on, kirke stepped up because he had to and if he hadn't he would be bombed by brian mac whom i'm sure won't stand for many more 4 carry performances and with bailey coming back to fittness he will be looking over his shoulder. like you i'm all for praising performances when they are consistent but the bottom line is he doesn't do it regular.

He doesn't. If he regularly produced top performances and made the most of the size and strength he has, he'd be first choice. As it is, he's a good squad option who can do a job when called on without (probably) costing a mint.

i'll say he doesn't use his size at all 6' 4" 18 stone? he should be knocking blokes over delaney (a /2nd row) runs the ball in with more vigour than kirke he's another mcdonald or feather for me. brian mac wasn't the biggest prop in the world himself but he ran the ball in hard and hit hard in the tackle. as you say a good (reletivley cheaper) squad option and thats it.