So, as the dust settles after a long drive back from Wembley perhaps now is the time for an objective look at the squad? Hopefully without any of the jerking knees of last weekend.

New Coach?
Ok, Bluey was out-done on Saturday, and its frustrating it was an ex coach that did it. But, taking into account the Grand Final wins I think he has done a good job overall and has got us peaking at the right end of the seasons generally. Those calling for his head are way off the mark, and besides, who would you get that is better right now?

Revamp the squad?
I certainly wouldn't want wholesale changes this off season but we have to be realistic - our squad is showing some grey hairs. JP, Senior, Kylie, Buderus and Ali are all over 30. Sure players go on longer these days, but not forever.
The young players that we bought last year (Coady, Pitts, Ambler and Amor) aren't ready yet and in truth I only think Ambler has a shot at the moment.
With Donald and most likely Eastwood will be leaving which does leave some space under the cap for a couple more players I would think. Which leaves the question, who should we sign, or at least what positions to we need to fill/get better in?

Answers on a postcard

I'll just maintain my same viewpoint all along, regardless of Saturdays result.

No need for a change of coach, allthough he needs to learn some lessons from the last couple IMO. I think McDermott will add an awfull lot to the coaching for next year.

With regards players, we should not have resigned Donald, Senior, Ali, and Diskin, IMO. We should have signed Shenton, Calderwood, and a prop to replace these. To add to this now Eastwood might go, IMO knowing this at the time, we should have signed Langley. That for me with the full introduction of Stevie Ward, and Clarkson, Ambler and Pitts been full time first team, would have been the minimum for next year.

If they did have the option to manoever further though, then I would have also looked to release Webb, and Kirke also, with no need to go external from the club to replace.

No panic just yet, we lost 38-10? to Saints in the play off's not so long ago, we didn't need to do anything drastic then so no different now for me.

Pretty much agree with you Gotcha, though I have no desire to see Mark 'fill my wallet more' Calderwood back at Leeds.

Wouldn't have minded us making a move for Ainscough. Maybe needs some fine tuning but he knows his way to the try line ok.

I prefer to forgive and forget. IMO in a team like Leeds, and him on form, there is not a better winger in Super League.

Why would we need Calderwood when we've got Smithy?

I don't see the point in bringing back Calderwood. He was brilliant for us in 2005 (my player of the season) but since leaving Leeds he's not done much. Definitely has the feel of yesterday's man. Other than finding a replacement for Senior, for which Watkins is still very much in the frame, I think our backs are fine for now, especially with BJB coming back.

I think there are maybe a few lingering doubts over Webb's fitness and willingness to be involved in the collision - hopefully another off-season free of international duty will help him. He's still obviously a capable player with his passing game and support play, but some distance from the player we signed in the first place. I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Richie Mathers as a former Leeds player who was in the shop window a few weeks ago - how long is his deal at Cas? It was nice to see him and Smith celebrate at Wembley, even though Leeds lost (couldn't care less about Morley and Carvell though).

Eh, that was my opinion, not saying it's the clubs. Like I said above, IMO at a team like Leeds and on form there is not a better winger in Super League. For me, what Calderwood brings to the game is exactly what I want to see in a winger.

He's gone mate and other than 1 or 2 quality performance for the Pies he's injury prone and finished imo.
Smithy is more than adequate at Wing for me and we also have Watkins and Bjb who could cover there.
For me we need a Prop and i still think next year will be 1 too many for Senior but hopefully we can rotate him more and get Watkins fit and up to scratch.
Will also be interesting to see who is next of the production line and i stil think that we could have a couple of useful players in Coady in Amor but they need to have full seasons in the championship imo.

The opening poster asked for views, I gave my views, and they are the same I have maintained regardless of Saturdays result. Calderwood for me is a great winger. I agree however on Smith, who I also rate as a great back, again the type of player I enjoy watching.

You are really not giving up hope on Coady are you? Personally I will be amazed if he is here next year. He couldn't even get close to making it in the Featherstone team, since then back in our poor reserve side he has been shunted into a wing position rather than centre. I just can't see it working for him now.

I just think with Coady and Amor mate they've taken longer to settle into the FT SL enviroment and been overwhelmed a bit by it all.
I do know that they were both seen as projects with potential and even though it has'nt gone to plan yet there's no need to ditch either of them just now and don't think we will lose much giving them more time neither have come from full time RL backgrounds and Coady has only been playing the sport a while.
Just to add Ratu had a mare at Halifax mate but still did ok when we played him in 1st team games.

radfords supposed to be leaving hull and i for one wouldnt mind seeing him here for a couple of years as a cheap boost to our 2nd row/prop options
by the end of next season i expect a big turnover with webb,senior,buderus and maybe even kylie getting released

Just been announced he's signed a new 2yr deal.

Leeds needing Calderwood back

Nearly as good as someone suggesting we sign Radford

Ive got to be honest, Im not convinced by Smith as a winger. There is no doubt he is a good player and can cover a number of positions so he is a def for the squad but for me he lacks pace, which is the wingers best weapon. It might be because of the few hours he spent in a union shirt but he needs to put on a yard or two.

Also really disagree about Coady - Ive watched him a few times, and when I say 'watched' I mean I found out about 50 minutes into the game that he was actually on the pitch. So far he hasn't shown much. Suspect next season will be make or break for him.

Leeds needing Calderwood back = lol.

Mega Lolz more like.

IMO we need a big prop who can drive the ball forward. A Keith Mason or Earl Crabtree type player. No side stepping just ball in hand go forward.

Out of interest, where as anyone said we needed Calderwood back?

I think looking around that I am the only one saying I would like Calderwood back, although nothing close to the word need has been used at all.

Is this just another babble 5h1t blowing out of proportion response from the clique? or did you honestly read it incorrectly?

It's the same reaction on here as it was when that happened.

Too many fekwits knee jerking.

Pass on the details of what he was asking for and the contract details of what he was offered when you have a minute please.

Thanks in advance.

If only all the players we "wanted" to sign would just come to Leeds no matter what anyone else offered or despite club loyalty or even if they couldn't pull on a Leeds shirt without vomiting.

Seconded.

And i couldn't agree more with the last one, i'm bored of them now.

The players you want rid of are presumably ones you think are in decline? Nothing wrong with that, everyone could probably come up with a similar list even if they wouldn't necessarily advocate getting rid quite as quickly. What puzzles me is that you've identified Calderwood and Fielden (on another thread) as possible replacements. Don't you think these two are also past their peak?