Quote ="Old Feller"icon_biggrin.gif
Why?
'"
Because smashing a very dire Bulls under 20s team, or under 20s results themselves, are not necessarily the best barometer for whether a kid is or isn't ready for 1st team action.
Quote Saints, Wigan & Warrington have/are all blooding young players whether through choice or necessity.'"
Are we not? I'd suggest we're as good, if not much better at it than they are. Yesterdays 17 had ten such players in it.
Quote I'm not suggesting wholesale changes (unlike NE) but a gradual blooding of those identified by the coaching staff as the next generation of 1st team players.'"
You mean players like Hood, Singleton and Ward who appear to be being gradually blooded into the 1st team?
Quote We read about strength in depth & the benefits of that putting pressure on the current 1st team squad but see little evidence of it in practice.'"
Because Leeds have, unlike Wigan, been so good at this for so long their team is constructed mainly from young players who have come through the ranks. Those players are blocking the paths of other good youngsters. Hall is the world's best winger, or thereabouts and BJB was on the fringes of full international honours. They're both under 25. Perhaps that is why Chisolm can't get a game despite some good tries at U20 level. He'll have to be patient or chose the career that Broughton has.
Quote By the time we have to pick the youngsters - out of necessity due to injuries/illness or suspension - it's too late.'"
Is it? Has BJB been handled patiently but correctly? Has Clarkson not been blooded correctly?
Quote Isn't that what successful succession planning is all about, something GH is a strong advocate of?'"
I'd suggest it's exactly what we're doing to greater success than any other club which is why I thought your gripe was silly.
