: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:55 am  

Matt23 wrote:

Watkins is a natural left centre anyway, he's the replacement for Keith IMO.

That's the reason why we should looking to bring in a right sided centre.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:01 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. .

How can the salary cap be biting? Eastwood was due to be here so therefore his wages must have been available on the cap.

IMO players that come through the youth system should only have 50% of their salary included in the cap this would encourage more development and less quick fixes.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:10 am  

Loop wrote:

How can the salary cap be biting? Eastwood was due to be here so therefore his wages must have been available on the cap.

What happens if Eastwood appeal is successful?

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:11 am  

fanstanningley wrote:

What happens if Eastwood appeal is successful?

Then where stuck with the extra space our CEO took delight in telling us before the season started.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:19 am  

The salary cap isn't biting at Leeds but no amount of money would have kept Smith there. A lifestyle change isn't possible if you stay where you've always been.

G1 wrote:

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

I've been more impressed with McGoldrick than either but I wouldn't sign him.

sgtwilko wrote:

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?

Did you see Watkins' cameo appearance at the Harlequins?

Targetted by Randall in defence - try conceded - knock on at the other end - Phil Clarke walking to York denied - and a sloppy knock on at the play the ball which Ian Smith let him get away with.

Still 12 months from being ready for regular first team involvement.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:54 am  

tvoc wrote:

Did you see Watkins' cameo appearance at the Harlequins?

Targetted by Randall in defence - try conceded

That try had much, much more to do with Worrall being stampeded over by Tony Clubb and being out of the game rather than at marker when Randall picked up.

Leeds had one marker and a defensive line that wasn't set due to the speed of the play the ball - whichever side Randall would have gone he was going to score.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:11 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

Leeds had one marker and a defensive line that wasn't set due to the speed of the play the ball - whichever side Randall would have gone he was going to score.

He still made it easier for himself by running at Watkins.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:13 pm  

tvoc wrote:

He still made it easier for himself by running at Watkins.

If he'd run at Watkins then and got over him to score then you might have had a point.

As it was the gap at marker was so big he didn't have to run at anyone, he just ran into the gap and got low. Not a lot the A defender can do if the markers are all over the place because one of them can't dominate the tackle properly.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:19 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

If he'd run at Watkins then and got over him to score then you might have had a point.

As it was the gap at marker was so big he didn't have to run at anyone, he just ran into the gap and got low. Not a lot the A defender can do if the markers are all over the place because one of them can't dominate the tackle properly.

he has an agenda. It fits it to apportion the blame to Watkins.

He'll force a square peg into a round hole if necessary.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:20 pm  

tvoc wrote:

I've been more impressed with McGoldrick than either but I wouldn't sign him.

Me neither but what have you seen in Shenton that makes you think he would make us any better in the right centre and I include his performance in a very dominant England team in that?