End up getting relegated with a 38 year old mcguire still doggedly plodding along.

.....and Sinfield still directing operations with his new 'commitment to the club' blue and amber walking stick

^^^^^^^^^

Good to see the best generation this club has ever had get the pi** taken out of them with old man gags.

No really!

And the same ones whine that the fans deserve more respect from the players, haha!

Aww shuddup you old fart

Calm down calm down

Perfectly calm



Just pointing out the ridiculousness of some peoples views

I'm not so sure. McDermott decided to move Senior on even though the fans, the player and the management felt he should be retained, and he did so on the basis of Hardaker playing a half a dozen games in the centres.

Add the departures of Webb and Ali. Problem is replacing halfbacks isn't as simple as some make it sound, especially in a salary cap sport, especially when we stick to a certain wage structure.

The gorilla managed to replace an enitre halfback combo in just one season and all they've done since is win trophies.

When you have to do something you often find you can.

Yeah the 2014 WCC, CC and LLS are gleaming nicely in their possession....oh wait.

They haven't won anything this season yet

Where's Kirke going? I don't recall seeing any official announcement on his departure?

Hopefully Wakefield don't sign Kirke who is past his sell by date in my opinion.... Trinity have looked towards your victors Catalan Dragons for big, powerful and mobile forwards in signing Lopini Paea and Mikael Simon.

I'd rather a young keen fringe Catalan prop/second row like Antoni Maria is also signed by Trinity than risk it on Kirke who (unlike Lauitiiti did) would not add anything. The Championship looms for him. You're right though it's time for Leeds to bring in some fresh faces into the squad.

Because ppl HOPE he'll be leaving they've automatically assumed he will be leaving.....yeah I know, it's great thinking.

No the last I heard he had a 2yr contract and was with us for next year.

Cuthbertson should be a very good signing but I won't hold my breath not many decent Aussies sign for our club!

For me we have 3 very good young props who I would hope to see pushing baldwinson (hope he fills out a bit), singleton (again less puppy fat more muscle) and the one I have been most impressed with physically Mulhern.

Would like to see kirke go and some of the above given decent spell. Bailey for me I would have got rid but we seem to have left it too late so last chance saloon for me.

Not convinced by Aiton as hooker not impressed with his distribution.

Halfbacks including burrow in this need to be shaken up, personally for me Mags to be moved on and retain burrow but can't see the club doing this, all 3 will be here till they want to be. Ward is a massive dissapointment and I am not convinced by sutcliffe at halfback.

It's been a pleasure to watch a large group of talented local lads all break through in the same generation and achive and we have Been lucky to see it. Seen plenty of crap years to appreciate it. Unfortunately that brings the dilemma we have now all bowing out and fading at the same time and it is a massive challenge for those in charge. Worth it though.

The biggest minimum change I would like to see at Leeds next year is a decent number two with an eye to take charge the year after. Not saying he is crap McDermott out etc but I feel he has run his natural course as mgr and would like to see some fresh ideas come into the squad

I didn't say it had been announced, but that I couldn't see any reason he would stay on.

I can't see any reason why Cheryl Cole wouldn't leave her new husband for me instead...,.doesn't mean it'll happen in reality though.

Ive said for a while when peacock goes the whole frint row needs to change. Next year may see part of that transition.
Regarding kirke, woulnt next year be his tenth with us, and therefore his testimonial?

(Stands back and waits for fireworks to start)

Peacock & Leuluai are going at the same time so clearly 2 new props will need to be brought into the side at that time.

I was thinking earlier that by introducing Cuthbertson and potentially Ratchford, and starting Sutcliffe at LF and letting Delaney go into the SR our attacking options across the field would actually drastically increase - especially because we'd have a LF who could pass and wasn't just another prop, and because we'd have a stand off who could run at the defence.

Something like:

1. Hardaker
2. Briscoe
3. Watkins
4. Moon
5. Hall
6. Ratchford
7. Sinfield
8. Cuthbertson
9. Aiton
10. Peacock
11. Ablett
12. Delaney
13. Sutcliffe

14. Burrow
15. Singleton
16. Leuluai
17. Achurch

It's clear changes are needed the back line was criminally under-used and CC aside we have plodded through the last 3 months of the SL.
Of course there is still plenty of quality in this squad but there are players surplus to requirements and those who are not as effective as they once were irrespective of reputation or success!
In terms of numbers we have a pretty big squad signed on for next year but scratch at the surface & there are plenty of unproven youngsters and more than a few old veterans in the twilight of their careers.
6th isn't good enough for this Club that isn't arrogance or an "expectancy" to win every game or Trophy going its a fact which every member of staff at the Club will echo.
More concerning are the levels of performances in the past they have managed to snap out of a rut and "come good" but not this year.
Whether Mc.D stays or not the Coaching set up needs addressing/freshening up but more importantly this squad needs to start the next phase of transition if that means 1 or 2 barren years or even 3 then so be it we have been through much worse.
The Team needs re-building and with the intention of getting the best out of Hardaker ,Moon ,Watkins ,Briscoe and Hall.
The likes of Kirke Clarkson & Bailey need moving on whilst we also need to be less reliant/reduce the playing minutes on the likes of Kylie ,Jjb and the other elder statesmen.
The Aiton situation needs sorting asap one way or another and I think it's time certain players stopped getting a "free pass" when playing poorly again irrespective of pass success.
I don't mean 1 poor game and you're gone either before we have any "but he has 6 GF rings etc" the time is right to start the changes the back line is set so the other areas need addressing over to you Mr Hetherington.

Ignoring wish-lists of stars (Ratchford wouldn't be anywhere near top of a wish-list IMO), I think the clear-out of some lesser players can be started this off-season.

Our squad has simply too many average forwards and virtually no experienced cover for the outside backs. If our starting pack is Peacock, Aiton, Leuluai, JJB, Ablett and Delaney with Cuthbertson on the bench, then that leaves Clarkson, Ward, Achurch, Singleton, Bailey and Kirke - none of whom convince me much at all. Not to mention how you fit in younger players - Walters, Baldwinson et al.

Next season rather than looking for some miracle signing (this late in the day I'd be surprised if many players were available), I'd rather see a bit of a cull of those 'second tier' forwards, which would free up spce for younger guys to have a bash.

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The problem with culling the 2nd tier is once they have gone,they have gone.So too has the experince,we have got to have something better to come in and replace them.At the moment the up and coming replacements do not cut it,they are simply not good enough IMO.Sutty no pace at half back should be a loose forward,Singo as someone previosly said too much fat not enough muscle or punch.Yates the jury's out forever injured,we don't know if he will be any cop when and if he's fit.Walters looks to show real potential out of a mediocre bunch .Clarkson not SL quality.Too many english forwards in our pack need replacing at the same time,so i cannot see the transition going well unless the cheque book comes out.

Ratchford still has a 2 yr contract I think