Agreed, although in fairness we did have a lot of players out and were recovering from the wcc. Though I do think we've been lucky in our last 2 games personally, fortunate to beat KR and again against the Wire on Sunday. But at this stage it's all about the 2 points.

Kallum Watkins Left Boot shown up again

Two points one I understand from a very good source thaat Scott will return to Australia next year he intends to marry his partner and is talking of retiring. Two as I understand Tansey is on a years "loan" to the Roosters so in his case no triuble with him returning next season?

Even if that's right, what makes you think he'd want to come back if he makes a go of it?

True

only his family and friends to concern him and why do we assume everyone would jump at the chance to live in Australia? Having lived in a hot climate for serveral years it can be a pain and although the Aussie's would have you believe it's paradise, it is full of Aussie's

I agree. I think there are various degrees of opinion here ranging from those who think the squad as a whole is weak and we can't win anything this year, to those who think we need to strenghten the backs rather than the forwards, etc...etc....
I really believe that the club will have tried to replace Toopi with a new signing at 3/4. It would be logical if we have money (as far as I can see anyway). I can't see too much to complain about if we signed a high quality centre for 2 years. But I think we would both agree that good centres are few and far between, most decent ones were under contract this year already and we shouldn't spend stupid money or sign a jouneyman either who would offer nothing more than Ablett.
We have a solid squad, with a small weakness and a potentialy crucial one should we lose Senior for any period.

Eastwood was under contract when we signed him. So too was the other guy we were planning for centre who got injured.

Infact Toopi was also under contract when we signed him. Fielden was under contract at Bradford when Wigan signed him.

Too many people get caught up in contract thing. Basically they mean littel these days. If the right offer is made then the player in a lot of occassions would become available.

I thought it was a two year loan, other than that he could return as you say but to do what I'm not sure. If he has something to offer I'm not really seeing it so far.

The good news is I've taken out a Setanta subscription just to follow how he gets on.

That has to be right for the club though!!!
We could put ridiculous offers in for players and get them accepted but what would that do financially long term????
We don't want to turn into wigan by paying over the odds for imports at the expense of home grown players.
Trust GH he will do what's best for the club and short term solutions aren't the answer imo.

Eastwood hasn't made it here, Toopi only managed 12 months of a 3 year deal and Fielden....well what can you say about that? Hardly three great examples.

I thought the question was in relation to nobody available because they are under contract?

Were you dissapointed with the Eastwood signing? Were you dissapointed at the time with the Toopi signing? were you against us signing the Roosters centre (cant remember name) before his injury?

Just because someone is under contract does not mean 1) you are paying over the odds 2) The player is a journeyman or 3) A transfer fee is not worth it.

Young Shenton has looked particularly impressive so far at Castleford.

Thank you tvoc, because without posting it above that is exactly where I was heading. This lad to me I would have no complaints in Leeds paying our a transfer fee for.

Which would benefit Leeds, no doubt. But would be detremental to te game in general.

Cas appear to be making strides and are developing some really promising youngsters. The days when we qaived our chequebook around to prize away other teams star assetts appear to be behind us.

Rightly so.

That's all well and good disa but would you break the bank for him????
Would you risk losing 2 or 3 home products to accommadate his contract??
If the deals right for us then fair enough otherwise stick with what we've got and also who say's his club would accept??

Looks more like a decent fly half to me.

Players change clubs (even contracted ones occasionally), it's a sad fact of life. Besides which he couldn't go anywhere unless the player and both clubs agreed a deal.

I doubt he would anyway at this moment being one of the few players to remain loyal to Castleford both times they were relegated. I bet Andy Lynch wishes he had done the same now.

Damn the franchise system.



Ah yes that unexpected 40/20 will have had that mob wetting their knickers at the prospect of seeing him in a number 10 shirt.



What is Leeds' turnover against what they can spend on player salaries? Leeds is a club living well within it's means, why not share some of the love with our near neighbours looking to finance a new ground?

I don't think it would risk losing anyone as Leeds are currently understaffed at first team level.

Just a shame you had to use Fielden as an example.

wE were linked Soliola but I never read that we had agreed terms.

His manager wasn't keen but AFIK we'd agreed with the roosters and in principle with the player aswell.

called that in the off season boss. Makes you a realist to admit it though

who's replaced Watkins and Gibson?? They were in the wings should anything happen to toopi and senior. Now they are the front line and little experience between them.

Let's not muddy the water with youth policy/development. From a numbers point of view.

Hooker - You have voiced being pleased with Buderus, McShane, Diskin. 3 players for 1 position. 2 experienced 1 youth.

Centre - Watkins, Gibson, Senior. 3 players for 2 positions. Logic dictates we need 6? 1 experienced, 2 youth.

G1 I see your point (disagree with it) but can, as rose tinted glasses wearing mother 'ho, you not see we lack depth in the centres???


TVOC do you have a list of the Leeds team from the 2003 playoff game against Wigan. Would be interested to see the line up.

10th October 2003
Headingley
17,264
Steve Ganson (St Helens)
22 - 23
14 - 10

Leeds:
Danny McGuire
Richard Mathers, Gary Connolly, Keith Senior, Francis Cummins
Andrew Dunemann, Rob Burrow
Matt Adamson, Matt Diskin, Barrie McDermott
David Furner, Chris McKenna, Kevin Sinfield
Subs:
Willie Poching, Danny Ward, Chris Feather, Wayne McDonald