....Is the fact that the young players are getting valuable Super League experience. The top 4 is gone, the top 8 is a tough ask, but lots of game time for the likes of Handley, Lilley and Mullally can only be good for them. It looks like Golding and Baldwinson are going to get a few games too, and maybe Cameron Smith could play a part.

One thing GH is good at is building for the future. Granted, Mac doesn't trust the kids as much as Dean Bell or Daryl Powell did, but now his hand is forced. Maybe we have to start being realistic. Give these lads the game time and use that as the starting point for the future.

Now....... As long as we don't get relegated! Which whilst seems still unlikley is a possibility, it's also a possibility we might when silverware this year but that's unlikley also.

I totally agree. The benefits are massive for the kids. A test of character for new/overseas recruits and a wake up call for the likes of Hall and Watkins not to mention Mac and GH.

The facts are Wire who have won nothing since 2012 have taken 4 off seasons to get things moving in the right direction (they have still won fook all yet).

GH will rebuild/maintain the business and the crux of that is bums on seats and fans on feet, that is 100% dependent on winning games, making finals and collecting trophies.

Personally, and with all due respect, I think that is completely wrong. Leeds should never be in a position to build for the future. It should always be a smooth integration of the youngsters into a winning culture. It's no good asking these kids to get us out of the current mess. Yes injuries have hampered us this year but it is McDermotts failure over the last 2 years to play the youngsters in certain games that has had a negative effect on the current situation. It's all about accountability and he should be held accountable.

There's nothing like sitting on the bench for 70 minutes getting the distinct feeling the coach doesn't trust you to help develop a young player.

Its only a shining light until they inevitably lose form & yer back on here ranting that they'll never be a FB Prop or wherever they play.

Of the current youngsters Handley has made a good number of appearances considering his position and first choice options there. Sutcliffe I think around the 75 mark and would be higher if not for injury including a cup final and playoff semi so not shabby for his age. Lilley wasn't really ready much earlier than when he debuted. Golding just a few games but he's had injuries and a MOS last year ahead of him. True Baldwinson hasn't but that's hardly the reason we're struggling.

Weve had plenty of other young players though who have been moved on without ever really getting a chance to prove themselves

They move on because they are not good enough , unless of course you have evidence since they have gone that they have proved that theory wrong

The only one I can think of at this moment in recent history is Dan Smith, but he had to spend another three years learning his craft overseas and at Wakey before he was ready.

Well if he doesn't think their good enough to play then it's bit tough to put them in your side just to test it.

And before people say "well you never know unless you try"......how many on here would've honestly given Josh Walters games and whilst the jury might still be out long term he did score a try to clinch a treble......how many would've given Keinhorst games, especially some at 2nd row and he's become a usual squad member. I recall one poster on here after Golding has a solid enough showing vs Saints the week after Wembley, started a thread saying he was a liability who should never wear the Leeds shirt again. Obviously the debate on the other thread about whether or not to give Sutcliffe a chance in the HB spot.

So whilst they might be young players he hasn't tried who MIGHT'VE done well, if the posters on here were coach of the team they'd be other young players who have gone on to do well who would seemingly never have gotten the chance to.

McDermott hasn't minded too much trying young players in certain positions like Handley and Golding in the backs and one of his first moves at the club was to make BJB his starting winger and he won him McDermott's first game in charge against Bradford at the Magic weekend 2011 with the penalty try incident. Stevie Ward came in at 18 and he's not been shy about giving him games. The aforementioned Walters and Keinhorst in the 2nd row and likes of Foster, Minns and Duckworth had games also.

We're their seems to be an issue is when it comes to the front row. At prop Singleton had to wait and Mulhern and Baldwinson too. At hooker with Robbie Ward and Hood. Does seem that he doesn't want to try young players in the middle part of the pitch at too early an age and they have to wait like Singleton did, perhaps in that particular part of the pitch he doesn't think they are physically ready for it going against fully physically developed props.