: Sat Jun 20, 2009 8:27 pm  

tad rhino wrote:

shenton every single time for me, don't rate atkins. his diet is crap as well

atkins may get better surrounded by better players mind

You don't need Shenton. He'd cost a fair bit as he's under contract and I doubt Leeds have enough space.

Anyway he's garbage.


Go for Atkins as Wakefield need the money.

: Sun Jun 21, 2009 10:58 pm  

tvoc wrote:

As rhinoms said, it wasn't really the game to judge Shenton on.

I have to say I agree though that Shenton has hit a plateau at this point in the season and is nowhere near his early season influence or form. I guess it coincides with Castleford's overall performances having done likewise.

The full back(winger) Richard Owen saw plenty of ball last night which helped him stand out but he's not a centre..... yet.

At least twice this year I've watched Cas on TV and been vastly underwhelmed with Shenton and heartily impressed with Owen.

Not that I hanker for us to sign either, just an observation.

Oh and thanks for clarifying that Owen's not a centre. I didn't think he was mind but its' most helpful....

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:36 am  

Dead Man Walking wrote:

I agree with you. Shenton's garbage.

Stop it you two. He'd be a great replacement for Smith on the right.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:25 am  

I suspect Leeds will sign a centre for next year now, and I'd hope it would be an English one.

Interesting question - for the remainder of this season, shoul Smith continue to be picked at right centre? Or given that he's leaving, should Watkins (for example) get more of a chance there?

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:05 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

I suspect Leeds will sign a centre for next year now, and I'd hope it would be an English one.

Interesting question - for the remainder of this season, shoul Smith continue to be picked at right centre? Or given that he's leaving, should Watkins (for example) get more of a chance there?

Ive already mentioned this when the thread first stated up. Should the coaching staff be waisting valuble time working on smith as a centre when they could focus on watkins? Obviously if smith is to be involved(which I expect he will) the club will work hard to get the best out of him for the team. I don't think smith should rot in the reserves but I would like watkins to get more game time now smith has confirmed his future lies else where

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:26 am  

Similarly, if Webb gets injured again, should BJB be first call for his replacement? I would have thought that was an even more urgent question for the future.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:41 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

Interesting question - for the remainder of this season, shoul Smith continue to be picked at right centre? Or given that he's leaving, should Watkins (for example) get more of a chance there?

Good question. NRL teams tend to move the next in line in and prepare for next season when the know a player is leaving or being cut.

However in our case. Watkins was given games at the start of the year and looked out of place. Ablett isn't a centre despite what the numpty boys think. Really dropping Smith from centre would be cutting off our nose to spite our face. He's been the most dangerous player at 3 all year scoring and provinding a threat that has less obvious knock on effects. Tt's no coincidence some of our better games have come with him at 3. Should Watkins hit the straps then giving him another whirl would be an option. If a big game or the GF were tomorrow Smith lines up at 3 100% time with this current squad imo.

Would you cut him??

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:19 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

I suspect Leeds will sign a centre for next year now, and I'd hope it would be an English one.

Interesting question - for the remainder of this season, shoul Smith continue to be picked at right centre? Or given that he's leaving, should Watkins (for example) get more of a chance there?

You pick your best team each week.If we are not going to play Smith he may as well be sent to Wasp now.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:51 am  

With the salary cap biting we're going to have to get used to players leaving, and agreeing to leave before the end of the season. Dropping one of your better players because he won't be there next season is a ridiculous thought. Would anyone here like to have seen Gareth Ellis play less of a role last season? This is Smith's hometown club, he's going to give it 100% and is our best right centre. Watkins is a natural left centre anyway, he's the replacement for Keith IMO.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:55 am  

Matt23 wrote:

With the salary cap biting we're going to have to get used to players leaving, and agreeing to leave before the end of the season.

Out of interest. Why would we have to get used to that?

Our CEO has always championed us for been under the cap. Took delight in telling us that we have space left incase a top player becomes available.

Therefore why should we accept the cap as an excuse for losing Smith?

It might be a case of having a structure in place that cant meet a players needs. But that can not be blamed on the cap surely? surely it is just how you want to manage it?