Yep. Got to hand it to Standee, he's pretty persistent.

Think Saturday showed what we miss without Sika Manu. He is still an asset to the team but unfortunately due to the bulk of injuries we've had this season the likes of Manu & Mini have really had to take on a lot of extra work on the field and its told which isn't unexpected. We lost Ellis to retirement but unfortunately lost Hadley for a bit. Also losing the likes of Fonua who helped with the workload and the fact Faraimo has been binned, knocked out, suspended etc again hasn't helped along with the loss of Bowden, Griffin & Talanoa who all chip in with the work load.
Manu is not a try machine never has been or would be as thats not his role but he is certainly an important and fundamental cog in the 17.

Yep, some people watch the game but don't pick up on certain elements of it. What Manu brings to the side allows others to flourish and do the eye-catching stuff, like scoring tries.

Also worth remembering that on top of the workload forced upon him this year due to injuries as you mention, Manu captained his side in the World Cup all the way up to a brutal semi-final, whilst most of our lot got a well-earned rest after a bloody long domestic season. I'm not sure he's been 100% at any point this season.

Fair observations, we will have to see how the next few games go. We are really missing Sneyd and Ellis was simply beyond replaceable.

People said Ellis didn't score enough. Some people don't understand our game right well.

For which you are entitled.

But you also have to accept that its a unique opinion which holds as much credibility as a chocolate fire guard.

Martin Offiah scored over 500 tries, but I wouldnt have him in the back row.

Just put the junior squad members out to get experience for the rest of the campaign.
It will benefit us for next year, senior players will get over injuries properly and/or be fully rested to start back early for a full on pre season raring to go.
After all the season is over isn't it?

You’re the only one stating it over and over. As I said earlier, reality is reality. It’s still doable but it will take a magnificent effort but we know what this RADFORD team is capable of, even with all the young players he’s brought through the system.

currently 5th, 5 points above 8th, still to play teams below us, players to come back from injury. So, YES, RADFORD's team are still very much in the mix.

Can't believe the discussion is even happening about playing young kids for the rest of the year. Surely you would be better playing first team and then getting more and more experience of games that the result is the only thing that matters

If you have 6/7 "Cup finals" as such in that if you have to win to stay on the coat tails of the other teams or take over them for top 4, surely that's more beneficial as a squad then playing the young kids and getting beat more often then not. High pressure situations is what improves your big game players which ultimately will get in over kids when fit every time. Even if you don't make the 4 after 30 games, having a good dig at it is more beneficial for the squad

There isn’t a discussion as such, just Knockers being a bit petulant after his enforced absence.

No I'm not the one saying the season is over, I'm ridiculing the fact that every time we lose we get a 'season over' comment/Middle 8s thread comment.
As it happens IF we are no longer able to qualify for the top 4 at some point then surely that's exactly what we should do.
Until then we play the strongest fittest team we have and we fight hammer and nail to get into the top 4. I'm just fed up of so called fans writing us off every single time we lose including after the wigan loss and as far back as March from some quarters.

How do you reconcile your optimism with the fact Lee Radford is in charge?

He finds solace in the improvements in the club's youngsters

The forward battle against Widnes should be made a little easier with Chris Houston copping a ban.
He's not the greatest but he's a relentless workhorse.

Couldn't agree less. He is a liability and we would be better off if he did play.

Deffo a penalty machine near there line.

Think you are both right

Defo penalty machine, but he does have a bit of quality about him especially in defence.

You should put 30+ on these even with a couple out

Thanks. But you "should" have won one of the last 7 derbies, so you can never tell.

what's to reconcile? Unlike you I support our team in any kind of weather, you're the one who has been writing the team off regularly from the get go, how do you reconcile the fact we are still in with a shout of getting in the top 4 after you started a M8s thread, keep saying we're going to lose every-time the opposition look a bit frisky/we concede a try or two and continue on saying the season is over?

I support the team no matter who is in charge or whether I like them or the job they are doing, Casey, Crooks, Agar, Radford. But I have never given up on the team unlike yourself, I've never boo'd the team unlike many so called fans (despite my annoyance and/or anger at shoddy/woeful performances) and I will continue to make the 350 mile round trip as often as I can, as I have done for coming up to 30 years barring a period in the early 90s when that wasn't possible.

You have to be pretty thick not to understand her posts - something that has been regularly pointed out to you.

Your diametrically opposed views that
1 Lee Radford is a turd of a coach, incapable of developing young players and unable to bring a winning mentality to the team with
2 Lee Radford can bring this team, already several points off the 4 and with multiple senior player injuries, to success in the play-offs with this young, mentally unfit group.

I've been going 30 years too. How many FC fluffy dice have you got?

Amazing really how far we haven't come in terms of squad and youth since the dark days or Hetheringtons rule. Gone are the days of signing players like Wilkinson, Lupton, Scruton etc as I youth development was so good back then...............NOT.

The difference between then and now is light years, AP said from practically day one when he took over that the youth system at the club had been under funded significantly and he he vowed to change that and he did almost immediately with serious investment into the youth structures at the club.
He also relied on McRae who sadly had him over and we nearly lost both Lineham & Shaul before Radford championed their ability.
I was one of the ones who at the start wasn't convinced by Radford but both he and AP have shown that their plan is working and is now starting to bear fruit, it was not going to happen over night. The cancer at the club is gone and it now breeds a successful culture.
Lets face it Leeds who for years have had a wealth of home grown talent are finding this season difficult as they do not have the same quality in the youth as they have previously.
Whilst its great to be able to put a team out full of home grown and trained talent you also have to be realistic and know that you still need players from outside to complement.

Back on topic.

I like to see Connor back at 6, not sure Harris is ready yet and feel we are stronger with him at 6 and then Logan in the centres.

Hadley and Manu, will strengthen the pack and go forward, can only see a comfy Hull win, then the tricky games start with 3 tough games then Rovers.

One thing to remember as well is that Leeds have around 35 affiliated community clubs. Hull as a city has around 10 community clubs, to share between two SL sides. I don't think we do too badly at all considering the player pool available to us.