: Tue May 12, 2009 11:44 am
G1 wrote:
Always? Even in 2006 when he was displaced by Tansey?
You'll have to take that up with Tony Smith. If I had been the coach I'd have chosen Smith over Tansey in that position (based on their respective performances on the field) every day of the week. Of Course as the coach I'd have a whole lot more information to consider rather than just the eighty minutes showtime and that would also need taking into consideration. Perhaps I'd have never selected Smith again..... perhaps.
G1 wrote:
Yes, unproven. As you have shown, during Webb's tenure, he has failed to cement the wing spot as his own, unlike Hall this year who has made himself pretty much un-droppable on the wing.
An International wingman (selected by Tony Smith) shouldn't really be unproven in the position. Who is Hall's competition for the left wing spot? Smith - (busy covering other positions when he's not been injured), eh Watkins/Gibson/Broughton... no I'm struggling to find someone, anyone. Hall has cemented the position and let no-one down, which is just as well given the options available to the club.
G1 wrote:
How is it not. Yes, nobody has yet won the competition for the right centre but the competition is there. Hopefully, Smith will nail it but if not I am sure Watkins and Gibson will be itching for another chance. How is that not competition?
Gibson has not developed physically and appears prone to injury absences (currently on the latest in a long line) and Watkins has not shown the form or consistency to mount a serious challenge. A view seemingly backed up by reports at reserve level. I sense a player who has been pressurised by unrealistic expectations at this point in his fledgeling career. His time will come but it's not his time yet. I like what Huddersfield have done with Greg McNally and feel Watkins would benefit from a similar move into the Championship to continue his education.
G1 wrote:
The right side defence was not necessarily acknowledged as a weakness. They wanted to strengthen it. It wasn't a strength.
In essence the same thing. Tony Rea exposed it as a weakness, an area where Leeds were vulnerable, was he wrong? Why did coach McClennan break up the goto partnership on the left if the right was already neutral. That would be a truely bizarre decision on his part.
G1 wrote:
Sourcing a ready made right centre is an obvious and easy solution. They did make efforts to land one (Soliola). That didn't come off. They may have other irons in the fire so felt singing whatever and whoever was available would not be necessary or even an upgrade on what we have.
The NRL is full of talented centres. Soliola would have been a blinding capture. Leeds targetting of him says more than I could about the need to recruit a right centre. Where they fell down was not looking elsewhere when the Soliola deal fell through. Identifying an area that needed attention and then failing to fill it was a failing of the off season recruitment needs of the squad.
G1 wrote:
Of course, if you were CEO these wonderful right cenrtes would've become readily available right now I assume.
They wouldn't need to be that wonderful to be considerably better than the four options Leeds have at right centre this season. Given the remit from the Chairman to find one I'd be disappointed to come back empty handed.
used to be my highlight when visiting Church Fenton airshows in my youth
