Re: Round 13 | Hull FC (A) : Wed Jun 19, 2024 7:48 am  

I think Cam Smith is a pivotal player - when he's on form Leeds look way better, when he isn't we tend to lose.

Will be a brave call but I think Gannon might make a better 13, I've said for a while I think he could be in the big/mobile/skilful 13 mode like a Farrell or Sculthorpe (not expecting him to be as good as they were). We also have Cassell coming through who is quality. Smith will have some pressure for sure going forward.

Most of us are on the same page but our pack has been exposed this year. If we are serious about winning titles again, we need to put together the best pack in the league. This is what annoys me about Leeds, we waste money and effort on project players constantly, while our competitors out-sign us. Most of the players who've left us have descended into mediocrity; one or two like Dupree and Walters were losses as players. We are going to have to sign the best players if we want to be the best again, and we should have as much money as Wigan or Saints do to achieve that - it's the judgement that has been lacking as much as anything.

Re: Round 13 | Hull FC (A) : Wed Jun 19, 2024 7:58 am  

I agree Jim, i think Gannon has the potential to be a very good 13. He's got good ball handling skills and very athletic with good power.

Re: Round 13 | Hull FC (A) : Wed Jun 19, 2024 8:09 am  

Gannon had a terrific breakthrough year, however, has done nothing since because of injury and concussion issues. I hope he comes back and stars for us, however, I fear we are hanging too much hope on him.

Re: Round 13 | Hull FC (A) : Wed Jun 19, 2024 8:20 am  

rugbyleague88 wrote:

Gannon had a terrific breakthrough year, however, has done nothing since because of injury and concussion issues. I hope he comes back and stars for us, however, I fear we are hanging too much hope on him.

He is risky for sure - as stated though Presley Cassell is also better than Smith at 13 in my view, and he'll be ready for first grade in the next 2 years I'd say. We have some very good back rowers coming through at present.

Re: Jon Wilkin : Wed Jun 19, 2024 8:30 am  

Re. Bentley, yes he is aggressive and tigerish, his style obviously suits some of the mentality of posters on here and that's fine - however how in heaven's name is Bentley going to solve our go-forward problems and lack of size in the pack??

He is a workhorse but with various fitness and disciplinary issues he has turned out to be a very poor signing for Leeds. Again the wrong type of player for what we needed and too similar to other workhorse type players we have. McDonnell hasn't had his best season this year but for me he is still the better workhorse than Bentley and more consistent overall.

Re: Jon Wilkin : Wed Jun 19, 2024 12:58 pm  

I thought re-signing Bentley was a bad idea for the reasons you say - we desperately need size and physical presence. If we had a big pack aside from him Bentley would be a great player to have around, but the fact that he makes zero yards with the ball just compounds what's already a big issue. McDonnell was a far better all-round forward last year. He's struggling this season but we've seen his potential.

Re: Jon Wilkin : Wed Jun 19, 2024 1:38 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

Re. Bentley... his style obviously suits some of the mentality of posters on here

To be fair, in Bentley's limited number of showings this season he did bring an aggressive intensity that few of our other forwards have been able to replicate. And the other forwards are probably giving just as many needless penalties too.

Re: Jon Wilkin : Wed Jun 19, 2024 2:55 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

Re. Bentley, yes he is aggressive and tigerish, his style obviously suits some of the mentality of posters on here and that's fine - however how in heaven's name is Bentley going to solve our go-forward problems and lack of size in the pack??

He is a workhorse but with various fitness and disciplinary issues he has turned out to be a very poor signing for Leeds. Again the wrong type of player for what we needed and too similar to other workhorse type players we have. McDonnell hasn't had his best season this year but for me he is still the better workhorse than Bentley and more consistent overall.

I know you're not a fan of Bentley, but we have played a lot better with him in the side this year. Like absolutely every other player in the squad he would benefit from some clarity in terms structure and clarity. If you tell him to play what he sees he's going he's going to chase his tail.

Re: Jon Wilkin : Wed Jun 19, 2024 3:06 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

Re. Bentley, yes he is aggressive and tigerish, his style obviously suits some of the mentality of posters on here and that's fine - however how in heaven's name is Bentley going to solve our go-forward problems and lack of size in the pack??

He is a workhorse but with various fitness and disciplinary issues he has turned out to be a very poor signing for Leeds. Again the wrong type of player for what we needed and too similar to other workhorse type players we have. McDonnell hasn't had his best season this year but for me he is still the better workhorse than Bentley and more consistent overall.

Bentley is better in a big pack and an ideal player to compliment that , McDonnell unfortunately at the moment is proving to be a poor mans Bentley

Re: Jon Wilkin : Wed Jun 19, 2024 3:07 pm  

Shabino wrote:

Sounds like Wilkin should be coach!

People on here do not like him but he talks a lot of sense