I don't know. Maybe in adhering to the salary cap and winning trophies are the major differences.

Who says the cheque book has to be for forgein players?

Makes me laugh the presumtious response to that statement.
Like i've said on here before, Gleeson was available, or what about a bid for Shenton or Yeaman?

Wigan's is the other way around: Signings first priority, promotion next, retention last.

Agree with G1 about BJB he does remind me of a young David Peachey on the few times I have seen him, Wether or not he or the other fringe players are ready to step up to a full super league season we will have to wait and see.Its not always good to rush these things and Leeds have been good at bringing players in from youth teams gradually over a time .

They have,he's called Coady

Heheheh mate, met too, me too.

In true Hetherington style it will be along the lines of:

''We will scour all available options both at home and in the NRL to replace Lee''......then a few months later when announcing next years squad numbers the number 3 shirt will be left open to tease us then after Coady has impressed in the pre season games it will be ''We think we have identified Coady as a player with huge potential and to show our faith in him we are handing him the number 3 shirt''



All IMO of course

Yeah I'd agree with that. The academy can probably fill the gap left by Smith, but my worry is the gap that will be left by Senior whenever he retires. To replace someone like Senior who has such a big effect on the team is probably beyond the capabilities of the academy and I think the only option is to sign someone. However due to the lack of quality centres in SL this would mean a signing from the NRL.
I dont think this is unreasonable in the circumstances.

It's true, we, as fans, have been let down quite badly by the squad assembled by trhe club over the past few years in which the second rate recruits have hardly won any titles at all or contested 4 of the 5 Grand Finals. Shocking scenes. Bring back the old days of free spending in the late 80s and early 90s. You couldn't move for silverware at Headingley back then.

You are doug laughton and i claim my £5

I have stayed at my current employer many times in the face of such offers, mostly because I place great value on enjoying my job and working with people I consider to be friends.

That's not to say I'll stay here forever, I'm sure I won't, but money isn't everything.

You can't have your £5. I spent it on Richie Eyres. Sorry.

Not a complaint pal,just an observation on what will happen.

I think that's the problem. Do we look at, effectively, a replacement for Senior now, meaning the 2 of them are first choice centres next season? Does that help or hinder the development of Watkins and co?

Assuming Keith retires at the end of next season then that's the way I'd like us to go; have Keith and A.N Other next year, with the view to having A.N Other and Kallum as first choice in 2011.

Thats a decent approach. I would hope that the powers that be identify the future need and fill it. The question is where do we get someone. Leeds have built their sucess around Keith in many ways, and I'm not sure you would get a top NRL star here for even half the time that Keith has been here.

that is sooo right as well... we know GH too well.

To be fair to him, he has delivered some big names over time, some have worked out, others have not.

You can't argue with Webb, Peacock, Buderus, Ellis, Lauiti'iti as big name signings.

He has also delivered (or helped to deliver) a sustainable business model and financial stability off the field and one of the most successful periods in the club's history on the field.

Hetherington Out!

Oh yes agreed.. i'm not doubting his excellent leadership. We owe him a great deal of thanks. It just made me laugh because that's what he usually says.

This truly is.. The school of old.

And how long will you be able to continue in your current job compared to the longevity, or lack of it, of a profesional rugby player,of either code.
Making money while you can is sometimes everything

You were robbed.

And they're both positives but in terms of squad building I doubt Leeds' plans are any different to Wigan's. The difference maybe that when Wigan identify a problem position they tend to fill it even if that costs money.

Hetherington's job is (or should be) to maximise the clubs potential and that includes on the field. Ultimately he will be judged on results not whether the club made a huge profit.

Wigan don't have enough money to fill all their problem positions.