Today's game ought to be the ideal occasion to give the likes of JP a well-earned rest. However, we no longer have the strength in depth in the forwards to be able to do this. Like 2005, we have got rid of more forwards than we have signed. Unlike 2005, however, there are no good quality big lads in the reserves waiting to come through. A worry for now and the next few years or do people think that Uncle Gary has everything under control?

I dunno. Obviously the loss of Eastwood from the planned squad leaves us a little short, but without the injury to Bailey the Peacock resting option would be more readily available. Remember Burgess will probably be getting more game time this year, which he probably needs for his development. I also don't think it's true that there is nothing in the reserve/academy level to look forward to. I don't see any reserve grade games these days, but Ambler is a name which leaps to mind without much thought.

I want to know what GH intends to do with the Eastwood situation.

It's going to be next season at the earliest that we get him, which means we're already one down in the forwards this year compared to last (we've essentially lost Ellis without a replacement).

We've got two cap spaces left.

Is GH going to use some of our relatively healthy funds to bring someone in? Should we be prepared to pay a transfer fee for a top player?

One things for sure, I'm not comfortable going the entire season with the squad we've got now in terms of burn out and fatigue.

Have Leeds replaced Scruton yet? Last year he was one of the five props regularly used throughout the season. If the answer to that question is Ambler, why haven't we seen him have a run yet?

Joe Chandler got the game V Castleford last year, is he still around?

This should have been the first chance to try out young Luke Ambler imo.

Chandler is in the academy i believe.

Leeds' 5 props in 2008 (from a potential 35 games = 140 prop appearances assuming 2+2 bench)

Leuluai - 32
Peacock - 32
Bailey - 24
Scruton - 30
Burgess - 21

Total 139

Leeds 4 props in 2009 (from a potential 7 games so far)

Leuluai - 7
Peacock - 7
Bailey - 6
Burgess - 7

As injuries and fatigue (which itself contributes to injuries) sets in someone is going to have to make the numbers up but who?

you have got hundreds of forwards, i mean forward passes cos you score plenty of tries from em

Thats the lamest troll attempt ever.
Is it a coincidence its school lunchtime atm.

Thanks

Being comfortably outscored by Castleford at the moment, how embarrassing is that.

I don't lose any sleep over it

Bloody hell, I do. Have you no shame.

In Cas you sleep with one eye open, but that's another matter.

There's also young Dane Manning on the fringes of the first team squad, who if he develops as expected is going to be a cracking player.

That's correct plus liam brown and luke hardbottle.
As for GH doing anything about it he's already stated IF the right player is available then we'll be in a position to move for him if not then he won't buy for the sake of it and given GH's record at leeds who can argue with that.

I do agree with the way Hetherington does things - you hear a whole load of nonsense on here about players signing for people but GH keeps his cards close to his chest and only ever reveals anything when it's certain.

Which I'm sure is the case here.

Doesn't stop me from wondering mind!

Not at all mate i'm sure he's got plenty of iron's in the fire!!

So the upshot is GH replaced the departing Scruton, Ellis, Toopi and Tansey with Buderus and now has no plans to replace the non appearance of Eastwood.

Four players contributing a combined total of 90 appearances in 2008 replaced by one that will be lucky to make 20.

That's a pretty spectacular fail for the necessary '09 recruitment by the back to back Champions.

Leeds must have some outstanding kids on the fringes for this to come good in 2009. Reserve results might suggest they'll struggle though with the step up into a overstretched first team squad as the season wears on.

I've changed my mind, you're absolutely correct, Leeds must go out and sign Inglis, Burgess and Hindmarsh if we are to have any chance of winning silverware this year.

It's attitudes like this that have proved so successful in the past.

We've not paid a transfer fee for a while - what do you think Bradford would do if we put a £400k bid in for Sam Burgess.

Would it be worth doing ?

With Lee Smith potentially going (aledgedly) and plenty of room on salary cap (aledgedly), and no quota implications from this, it might be a good time to try make a move.

I think they would laugh themselves silly at being able to fleece that kind of money out of Leeds for a player who has had one good season. The cheque would be in the bank before the ink was dry.

Maybe the salary cap's just biting. You've won the league twice on the bounce, I would suggest that that gives your current players a bit of leverage when it comes to their contract renewels. That might be where your wages are going.

That will have no bearing whatsoever on the youngster's ability to "step up" as they will be surrounded by big game players with success,experience and confidence to support them.
I honestly don't see the panic at all my reading of the situation is thus:
Tansey- Buderus,Mcshane.
Toopi-watkins,gibson and ablett.
Scruton-burgess(will play more)kirke can play there and then there's ambler to step up.
Ellis- This is the only player imo that hasn't been replaced like for like with eastwood not coming but we do have a more than capable back-row with Ali,Jjb,Kirke,Ablett,Worrall and of course the versatility within our squad means peacock and bailey can fit in there comfortably imo aswell as the youngster's i.e manning and liam brown.
Calm down!!

2005 and 2006 weren't successful in my view and Leeds probably had cap space available in those seasons as well.

Have you seen the state of Inglis this season, he's turned into a bigger blimp then Eastwood.

I expect Leeds (or any Champion team) to not rest on their laurels if they want and expect to stay at the top. I'd expect any Leeds team to use their fullish cap allocation.

I'd expect the Eastwood situation to have been resolved far sooner than it was and Leeds now to be making a replacement happen. If Eastwood was required (and he was) why isn't a replacement needed?