Not the best of starts, we had our chances though and should have taken them. I didn't see any other problems from that game. With McGuire, Ward, JJB out, Mullally had a good game vs Doncaster in his return this weekend. We need Falloon in the squad this week.

Hardaker
Briscoe Watkins Moon Hall
Sutcliffe Burrow / Lilley
Galloway Falloon Cuthbertson
Ferres Ablett
Delaney

Lilley / Burrow Garbutt Singleton Keinhorst / Mullally / Walters

If Falloon is out, we could really struggle:

Hardaker
Briscoe Watkins Moon Hall
Sutcliffe Lilley
Galloway Burrow Cuthbertson
Ablett Ferres
Delaney

Garbutt Singleton Mullally Keinhorst / Golding

I would contemplate putting Golding on the bench if Falloon is out, that would give us the opportunity to give Lilley / Burrow / Sutcliffe a rest if needed and either put him at fullback and move Hardaker into 6 or play him in the halves.

Hardaker
Briscoe Watkins Moon Hall
Sutcliffe Lilley
Galloway Falloon Cuthbertson (v.capt)
Ferres Ablett
Delaney

Burrow (capt) Garbutt Singleton Mullally


As you say...let's hope Faloon is fit

If not, like you I would have Golding on the bench with Burrow moved into DH. Would love to see Golding given a run at SO

Always a tough game at Widnes on their artificial pitch.

Factor in week before WCC game and No Magsy, then even tougher than a normal away fixture at Widnes

Did Garbutt take a knock? He didn't seem to be on for long and was down on his normal workload.

Hardaker should be captain, especially if burrow isnt going to play the full game, looks like he needs a confidence boost plus he has to be in the running for captain when mcguire retires so a 2 month trial could be useful to see how well it goes

This won't be an easy game but a 10 day turnaround should help no end. I would imagine Mac will want to get very close to his 17 for the WCC on the pitch so hopefully Faloon makes it as im sure he will be at 9 if he does. I reckon we will go with Burrow in the halves if that happens with Sutcliffe, and Lilley off the bench sounds good to me. No problems with the pack that played against Wire, they were solid. Get the 2 points and then focus on the big game in a fortnight.

That sounds like a likely plan to me.

I'd imagine Falloon will play, in which case I'd go with:
1. Hardaker
2. Briscoe
3. Watkins
4. Moon
5. Hall
6. Sutcliffe
7. Burrow
8. Galloway
9. Falloon
10. Cuthbertson
11. Ablett
12. Ferres
13. Delaney

14. Lilley
15. Singleton
16. Garbutt
17. Keinhorst

As for Hardaker as captain? Nope. He's no where near ready for that.

Burrow in the halves. *shudders*

1. Hardaker
2. Briscoe
3. Watkins
4. Moon
5. Hall
6. Sutcliffe
7. Lilley
8. Galloway
9. Falloon
10. Garbutt
11. Ablett
12. Ferres
13. Cuthbertson

14. Mullally
15. Singleton
16.Burrow
17. Delaney

Would agree with that, but there is no way Burrow will start on the bench, especially as he will be acting captain.

Yep I would also agree with the team but think burrow will be starting half back. For me in the limited games he has had liley looked the better player to start there. Wouldn't have an issue with it if mags was here but for me neither Sutty or burrow will lead the team around the park, and burrow's talents are better placed elsewhere

I'd just like to see Sutty and Lilley start. Burrow has a lot of skills but as mentioned he isn't one to lead the team around the park. We need some organizing from the start and I think Lilley has earned it.
I'd rather see Burrow as bench hooker ,captain or not.

There's just no way Lilley is our 4th choice HB is there? He has to start now Mags is out. Everyone can see he deserves his chance. But Mac will go with Burrow.

With Falloon possibly still not fully fit Mac may start Burrow at 9 (captain) with Lilley at 7 and Sutty at 6 (if he has recovered from injury?)

Aye that might be it....gives him then the perfect excuse for dropping Burrow back to the bench in favour of Faloon for the Cowboys match; keeping Lilley at 7

Are Lilley and Sutcliffe capable of leading the team around the field yet? They're both quite inexperienced. Granted, they have to learn sometime but I'd be wary of putting too much on their shoulders too soon. I think having Burrow on the field is important. I think some underrate his value to the team.

Some?

Understatement of the year contender.

I'd probably agree with you, if we were talking about the 2009-11 Burrow. We're not though.

It's a long time since he's even been asked to take a side around the field, certainly for a number of consecutive games. He's always had either a Sinfield or a McGuire at the side of him to do that and let him do the other bits of the game he's done so well.

Lilley's game management was impressive against the Kiwis at the back end of last season and continued to be so when he had the chance to play in the halves in pre-season. IMO he's wasted at hooker, he's an organiser with a big voice on him even for one so young and a proficient goal-kicker.

He's going to be the future at 7 for Leeds IMO, and I'd have no hesitation picking him to play there ahead of Burrow right now.

There is a difference to his value to the team, and leading the team around. He can't do the leading, he can do the other, and that is what is spoken about. Example was last Friday, he had a really good game, but it wasn't moving the team around, it was in other areas.

Lilley by contrast has been dumped in the deep end at times, and really takes control when he is on the field, making a difference.

Good post Andy. Well summed up.

Lilley is too raw to be out there for the full 80. I would start with
6 Sutcliffe
7 Burrow
9 Faloon
14 Lilley

Lilley to come on for Burrow in the 1st half, Burrow for Faloon in the 2nd half.

Why is he too raw to play for 80 minutes? You pick halfbacks with a view to them playing the whole game or not at all.

FWIW I haven't seen much sign of Burrow being an organising halfback in his whole career. McGuire started to develop those skills a few years ago and still isn't there. Lilley OTOH looks a natural leader and organiser, which especially with Sutcliffe the likely 6 must be the way to go.

The whole "too raw" "too young" "no experience" argument is complete b-llocks. Always has been always will be.

How do those who say that expect him to progress as a player if he isn't playing? If they look good enough. Stick them in and let them play. Lilley looks the real deal. Let's give the kid chance to show us all his talents.

After the successes of last season and the departure of a number of experienced players, 2016 is almost a "free hit" for Leeds.

They can blood some young players at a time when expectations are probably at the lowest they've been for a while. If it means finishing 4th or 5th now in order to be significantly better in 2017 and onwards, then fair enough.