WWW.RLFANS.COM

I totally agree.

Looking in from the outside it appears that Wigan have an academy that supports a culture of locating and developing the best and communicates effectively with those youngsters in the systems what is required to be successful within the environment i.e. developing themselves both on and off the field in other words commitment.

At Leeds it seems they allow the players to simply toss it off apart from two training sessions a week - no structure no culture of continuous improvement and coaches that seem incapable of developing talent - Cameron Smith was supposed to be a once in a generation player now looks Championship at best, Oledzki stalled, Holroyd looked a great prospect but it appears he lacks the dedication of a Smithies. Not much else on the horizon if the clammer to sign mature average professionals such as Lunt, Donaldson, Albert etc is an indication.

Leeds have brought through one player - Newman - in a year of dire standards, Wigan who were equally as bad as Leeds first half of the season have brought 3/4 quality youngsters

Until Leeds adopt a more professional approach to the coaching set and appoint coaches because of their ability rather than either they were ex players e.g. Burrow, Wainhouse, mates e.g. Agar, coaches because they think it will give them an in to a successful junior set up at an amateur club etc.

Ryan Carr is a perfect example of what is needed a professional coach with a professional attitude - I would scrap the lot and start again and only employ good quality Aussie coaches.

Like Furner.

Like Murray, like McClennan, Like Tony Smith I would suggest Leeds' success with foreign coaches has been pretty positive. Perhaps if Furner had been free from interference for above he could have done a better job. No wonder McDermott did a runner soon as the changes were going to made.

It's not as simple as that, is it? If all the Golden Generation were simply shown the door all and sundry (media, fans, ex-players) would be complaining that Leeds are failing to reap the benefits of channelling so much valuable experience back into coaching. What's wrong with Leeds rewarding loyalty to hard-working professionals?

That said, I get what you are saying, and a balance needs to be struck. Personally I have no idea from the outside looking in whether the correct decisions are being made. Where's the evidence that x and y appointments have been made to create jobs for mates as opposed to appointing the right person for the job? In a team threatened by relegation it's hardly a surprise we've blooded fewer youngsters than teams making the play-offs, but I'd expect this to change next season.

No point moaning about not having an Aissie cosch. Agar was only appounted a fortnight ago so hes going nowhere in a hurry.

In recent years I’ve not seen a lot of academy games but have seen more of Wigan than Leeds. What has always struck me was the higher number of staff that were there for wigan. It always seemed to be Paul Johnson and a small army.
Think they have won 9 or 10 of last 12 academy grand finals.
I think the Leeds first team under McD also operated Ona comparative skeleton staff. Nobody was bothered due to the first team success.

The Wigan set up is an old boys club as well. My guess is that Leeds need to put more resources into coaching as a whole, to seek to compete better and bring on young players.