Lost Oledski for this one (Ban)
Minus Mik. plus Kallum  ?  otherwise same squad I expect


1. L Miller
2. R Lumb
3. Newman
4. Handley
5. Hall
6. Connor
7  Frawls
8 Jenkins
9 O,connor
10 Palasia
11 Bentley
12 Mcdonell
13 Gannon


Sinfield, Watkins, Lisone , Holroyd

Average performance against a very poor injury hit team who tbf gave it their all first half.
Can`t disagree with the Frawley comments. 
However it looks like Arthur sees Sinfield as our interchange hooker at least until Ackers comes back.
Therefore unless we have other options at HB I don`t think Frawley will lose his place and once Croft is back Sinfield will be battling with O`Connor for the hooking role with I`m sure Ackers taking the main hooking duties.
Arthur will go Croft/Connor and Ackers/O`Connor leaving Sinfield/Frawley presumably out in the cold as I see it.

I?ve got to say that first half last night made me question what I was actually doing there. Yes we were poor on the field, but waiting around for minutes at a time for every video ref decision was so boring and frustrating. Not bad if you?re sat at home watching, chance to make a cup of tea or look for that cheap pair of trainers on the ipad, but to be sat there watching a 40 minute half of boring Rugby League become a 50 minute half was nearly enough for me to get up and f**k off at half time. It?s just ruining the spectacle. Let?s hope the game flows more next week when we can actually judge Leeds as a team after 2 byes in the last week. Can?t say I?m seeing the value in Handley as a centre, and that combination on the left with Lumb looks lightweight and clunky at times. It may take a few beatings and some poor showings down that left edge before Arthur reconsiders whether it?s a good move or not. Like I say, I have my reservations.

Agree with your points about the video ref. Too often it kills momentum and excitement with its forensic focus on things that are obvious to the naked eye. I do disagree with some of the evaluations of the first half. By common consensus we  brought in the best available coach and like it or not, that is exactly how he wants us to play. Like Salford last week, Huddersfield were exhausted after 30 mins, allowing Arthur to rest several key men for next weeks far bigger challenge, with 20 mins to go. Hull KR and Saints will tell us how far that strategy will take us. I've thought for a few weeks that Lumb might need a break, and I wonder if he might be tempted to shift Handley to the wing (I think he's done well at centre) and  let Watkins try and stifle the threat of Hiku.

Agree with the jist of what Leeds Owl is saying.

I think the game has a wider issue with long periods of really boring play. Even more so in the first half. 5 drives and a kick with little variation other than a few drop-offs. 


The last 2 games we have played has seen numerous sets where Jake Connor only gets the ball on the last tackle to kick it.


Mix it in with tedious captain?s challenges and video refs on Mogadon and the sport at times is duller than a John Major speech.

Agree with all the points re the video ref, but in terms of the halves lack on involvement it is clearly by design. I forget which, but in either last week's post game presser, or the "behind the game" feature Arthur tells the halves to take themselves out of the game and ( I paraphrase) let the forwards get on with it. That's the way a lot of top level NRL rugby is played anyway, but it's probably accentuated at Leeds simply because there isn't the pace in the 3/4 line to reward playing wider earlier. Arthur is playing to his strengths, which remarkably given the last few years, lie with his pack. It would be a bit different if both Croft and Sivo were fit, but it is what it is. I'd settle into the pipe and slippers for a few more dull 1st halves over the coming months. Personally I can  live with them if it means we actually start winning games.