At Saints our transition was extended by signings which proved to be poor (perry / Hohaia). Despite last years success - I feel our new 'era' starts next year and we can move away from the likes of Wilkin and Wellens filling in key roles.
On the other hand Wigan were going nowhere until McGuire turned them around in 12 months.
You have the same trouble Saints had 5 yrs ago - all your core players have got old at the same time but they're still better than what you can realistically pick up in the transfer market. Your recruitment is going to be critical - but currently looks uninspiring
It’s going to be really interesting to see how McDermott and Hetherington handle the next 2 or 3 years. By 2017 Sinfield, Peacock and McGuire will all be gone and Burrow too most probably.
It’s very difficult to find a decent halfback in the UK unless you develop your own and apart from Sutcliffe I don’t know of any decent prospects you have coming through in that position. When Powell came into the job the you began to see a lot more of Burrow/McGuire and Sinfield. Can we expect to see their understudies get more games under McDermott?
If there isn’t the talent within the club then you’ll have to look elsewhere, probably explains the interest in the kid at Leigh. Or down under.
I’d say a Peacock replacement might be easier to find but you’ll probably need to recruit a couple of players to take his place since he already does the work of two and there aren’t any players around like him who Leeds could realistically attract without busting the wage structure.
Sadly, I think what has happened is the same that happened at Elland Road in the mid seventies - a great team all grew old together. Having said that, we do have a good crop of youngsters coming through the ranks but it does take time to "blood them". 2006 and 2010 were pretty poor seasons but look what happened the seasons following them!
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