: Mon May 11, 2009 11:18 am  

G1 wrote:

Saints throw a kid into the centres, out of position and you applaud them. Yet you crticise us for not going out and signing a right centre.

If Leeds had a similarly developed youngster ready to make the step up I wouldn't be calling for the club to sign a replacement for Clinton Toopi. They haven't from what I've seen so far. I'm giving McClennan the benefit of the doubt re Lee Smith, although his four missed tackles and appalingly loose carry out of his own twenty shows he's not comfortable there yet.

Gary Wheeler will be twenty before the season is out. When I first saw him play wing V Leeds I had no idea his preferred position was stand off and that didn't stop him looking a quality youngster then or at centre yesterday. Comparing his performances to Ashley Gibson's this season is like comparing night and day.

G1 wrote:

Maybe one of these error free quality youngster you admire at Saints can help them win a Grand Final and our calamity prone fill-ins this year eh?

Maybe, it's all about performance. When I've seen Watkins, Ablett and Gibson fill in this season I haven't seen a performance to suggest the search is over.

Callum Watkins in 12 to 18 months time needs to be where Wheeler was yesterday and I think he can be. Gibson no chance.

: Mon May 11, 2009 11:30 am  

You've come to an interesting conclusion on Wheeler after 2 games. I am sure Saints fans will be hoping you're proven right.

If Watkins is being used in the same manner as the coach has done this year, 1 game in every 5 at right centre, then he will have gone even further backwards.

: Mon May 11, 2009 11:39 am  

G1 wrote:

You've come to an interesting conclusion on Wheeler after 2 games. I am sure Saints fans will be hoping you're proven right.

I think I've seen more than the two (although not many more) but his quality is there for all who care to see. Hold me to it, he looks a quality youngster ready to make the step up now.

Of course he may follow the Watkins blueprint and turn to mush but the fact he is 18 months older will make a sizeable difference in his preparedness for SL at this point.

I hope I can say the same for Watkins in 18 months time rather than be still talking about his potential.

: Mon May 11, 2009 11:41 am  

tvoc wrote:

I think I've seen more than the two (although not many more) but his quality is there for all who care to see. Hold me to it, he looks a quality youngster ready to make the step up now.

I agree. So did Watkins last year.

Of course he may follow the Watkins blueprint and turn to mush but the fact he is 18 months older will make a sizeable difference in his preparedness for SL at this point.

A lot of youngsters suffer 2nd season syndrome and that may be the only issue with Watkins. I don't think ghis coach has helped him that much.

Wheeler might suffer 2nd season syndrome. He might fade sooner than that. He's only had a handful of games.

I hope I can say the same for Watkins in 18 months time rather than be still talking about his potential.

I hope you can.

: Mon May 11, 2009 11:50 am  

G1 wrote:

Wheeler might suffer 2nd season syndrome. He might fade sooner than that. He's only had a handful of games.

Both are in their second seasons now.

Wheeler is 18 months older and appears the more solid both physically and mentally, just as you would expect.

I've consistently said that Watkins has potential but he's 18 months away from being ready for regular SL action. I've seen nothing this season to change that view.

: Mon May 11, 2009 1:00 pm  

You have been interested in him since his first season at Wakey. He has started this season very well so far, and hope he can keep it up! He loves it at Wakey, but surely you can only say no to a team like Leeds so many times. Hopefully he will stay at Wakey for a long time but the chance to win trophies on a regular basis may be too good to miss

: Mon May 11, 2009 1:50 pm  

adam9641 wrote:

Hopefully he will stay at Wakey for a long time but the chance to win trophies on a regular basis may be too good to miss

That will be his deciding factor.

: Mon May 11, 2009 1:53 pm  

fanstanningley wrote:

That will be his deciding factor.

Agreed, although Wakey are building a decent team with some good young players coming through we can never keep them long enough to compete.

He has 2 years plus rest of this season on his contract, will he sign an extension or leave? I have a bad feeling of the latter.

In the past we have had some very good players at the club but leave to a club who they believe will win more. Would be great for us to start keeping the top players and go on to another level

: Mon May 11, 2009 4:55 pm  

adam9641 wrote:

He has 2 years plus rest of this season on his contract, will he sign an extension or leave? I have a bad feeling of the latter.

In the past we have had some very good players at the club but leave to a club who they believe will win more. Would be great for us to start keeping the top players and go on to another level

It shouldn't be a case of money. If Atkins isn't on more at Wakefield already than he would be on at Leeds I'd be fairly surprised.

It didn't stop Ellis coming over though and his progression is a mark of what a player could expect to do in the correct environment, if he's dedicated and motivated.

: Mon May 11, 2009 5:00 pm  

If we're taking anyone from cas, it should be joe westerman!