Having missed the last couple of games owing to other commitments can anyone give some indication as to whether Ratu is the answer to our longer term right centre problem position ??? Are we looking at him and Watkins to be our centres next season ? How is Coady looking ? (Is Gibson deserving of being so callously dropped ?)

I can't see Ratu having a Long-Term future at Leeds personally, On the subject of Centres i do like the look of Jean-Philippe Baile...

Certainly a big unit and certainly hasn't put a foot wrong as such in the game time he's had but I don't think he's a patch on Watkins.

I thought ratu did very well on friday night when he came on at left centre with keith moving to SR.
Only the coachs can say wether or not he has a future,i personally think he'd be worth keping.
Niether gibson nor worrall(rightly so imo) were present on friday night for either match so i don't know if their injured or being released.
Coady has plenty of potential and we'll have to give him plenty of time before any judgements are made re-his 1st team suitabillity.

Looked solid enough for me on Friday. Big lad too, if he can become a bit more creative or enforcer like I believe h could make a good hooker.

Also Phillipe-Baile's defense isn't good enough for a top centre

He's only 22 and has plenty of time to work on his defence, He has a great physical presence...

Why would anyone want to see a promising centre become a forward?

Slightly OT

but whilst talking about young players taking their chance what about Manning???

Did a great job, liked his gusto in taking the ball forward.

Good job.

Looks good. 2 or 3 years away from regular first team though IMO.

I'd agree the first team is a little out of sight yet.

But he took his chance with an excellent performance.

he did what he had to do.

2 to 3 years?

He's 20 now isn't he?

Turned 20 in April, but this is his first full season at the club - delayed signing pro to go on the Barla Under 18 tour. Spending that little bit longer in the amateur game may mean it takes him a year or so to get up to speed compared to kids who have been at the club since they were 16/17.

But if he is looking for a career in the game, he wants to be earning money.

To do that, he will be wanting to be part of the over £25k squad. To be part of that he needs to be playing 1st team. We certainly wouldn't be paying that for a player 2-3 years away from firs team. I guess the player would not want to wait 2-3 years to earn that money.

Personally I'd say he'll be in and around the fringes of the first team next season, maybe make half a dozen or so appearances depending on what the plan is for Senior (a move into the pack will obviously create more competition for back row places).

Certainly a player with room for improvement but signs that he has the ability to make it.

For the same reason people want our on form winger to move to the second row

Because the majority who post on here are clueless.

What game were you watching?

I thought Ratu was poor. His running with the ball was tentative, defence was the same. On one occasion an over lap had been created (albeit in our half) all he had to do was draw the man and send Hall away but he passed immediately and the chance was gone. very poor centre play.

I dont see the fascination with Keith moving to SR - why when he is by far the best left centre in the comp and he creates so much.

A very different one to you obviously!!

I guess the game is about opinions, but could you at least try to justify your prasie of Ratu? you seem very easily pleased.

It tastes lovely with garlic bread?

Considering the opposition and the position he ended up at i thought he did well for someone with very little SL experience.
Aftrall he could of dropped the ball everytime he had it,let nerves take over and missed numerous tackles he didn't which is why i find your opinion harsh ansd no i'm not easily pleased but i'm prepared to give youngsters coming into the team a fair crack.

i bet in 2001 he said "why are we playing burrow and mcguire?" d!ck

Did Ryan Bailey tell you to say that?

Yet again no one is allowed to have an opinion on the youngsters.

In 2001 i could see the undoubted talent of McGuire and Burrow, in 2009 i see nothing in Ratu that would lead me to believe he had a long term future at the club.

Not every youngster that comes through will make it - accept it.

If you take for instance Dane Mannings performance when he came on thats what Ratu should be striving for, manning looked up for it, as if he thought this is my chance i might not get another. Ratu has not done that.

If Manning wants to be a regular he has to grab every chance he gets and make a spot his own. Same is true for every young player. There's no reason why an 18-year old can't make it now, let alone a 20-year old. I get really bemused by the constant talk of some lad maybe becoming a regular 'X years' in the future - not just on here but on other clubs' boards as well.