What yesterday proved is that Saints are the better team at the moment, no doubt that they deserved the win, but also how a couple of bounces can affect a game. In the second half one of Sinfield's kick-offs completely did for the Saints defence, however the ball bounced straight up in the air and eventually came back into the field of play. Not long after, Wilkin's kick bounced away from Webb and into touch for a 40/20, which Wellens scored from. Now, I'm not saying we'd have won if those bounces had gone the other way, but it could have made a difference.

There is no doubt that GH has done a great job, but just because we have established ourselves as one of the top clubs in this country doesn't mean would shouldn't strive for more.

I don't think GH has failed in his recruitment. This close season he signed 2 world class players. Unfortunately one of them couldn't make it over. I am confident that if a need has been identified he will be able to go out and get us the best he can to fit that gap. I would love us to win the league again this year, but I also want the club to be sustainable in the future, and that means protecting our finances, and keeping the flow of acadamy products into the first team

I agree completely and i trust him to carry that on.
I've no problem's with fan's wanting more signing's but it has to be A.right for the team(spirit).
B.At the right price as i wouldn't break our wage structure.
C.I don't think this squad is as "bad or light" as some other's do,that's just my opinion.

He ought to have used the full cap and if necessary quota at his disposal to assemble/retain a squad at least as good as the one that won back to back championships and the WCC. Perhaps one capable of defending their titles and even one capable of winning a home 'virtual' Challenge Cup final. That would have been nice.

He knew of Ellis' departure in March 2008, he jetted straight off to Australia for a replacement and signed Danny Buderus. Leeds' outside backs needed some attention in the close season also. I was never a big fan of Clinton Toopi but I wish he was still here now.



Why would he need to recruit during the 2009 season for the 2009 season if he'd done the job properly last year?

It wasn't his fault Eastwood's visa didn't arrive. At the start of the season most people thought Gibson, Watkins and Smith would do the job and we didn't need another Aussie centre, and at the loss of one game, Gibson's 3rd or 4th match and Smith being out, suddenly we need a new centre, it's absurd. Unfortunately there was nobody avaliable who would increase the quality of our squad, would a second rate Aussie do anything more than what we've got? We haven't played well but we're still top, yes we've lost two trophies, we were unlucky to draw Saints early, but we'd have had to play them sometime. It isn't the end of the world, I'm sure a big messege will be sent out on Friday night, and the doubters will be proved wrong, keep the faith.

:33mc1n25Who is to say he hasn't? Are you saying that this team are not capable of retaining the championship?

That come's down more to who's available and at what cost doesn't it??
Like i said the soliola deal fell through when he got splattered in the play-off's by wiki.

Eastwood is far from being that, although it's fair to say he would have added considerably to the present Leeds squad.

At this moment he's a Bulldog for the next three years and even if his Visa appeal is successful there is no guarantee he will exercise his option in Leeds' favour for 2010. So Leeds are stuck in the worst of all positions re-Eastwood. Not having the player in 2009 but minded that he might be coming 2010 so inhibited with their recruitment until they get a guarantee.

In that case I think it's time to cut free and not have the issue.



No I don't believe I would make such a ridiculous comment when I still fully expect Leeds to finish 1 or 2 this season.



Leeds have cap space and quota spots available, so what should they have done with that money last season?

This is very relevant and I'd agree 100%. Also, assuming the Inland Rev close the image rights loophole, it's probably fair to say that meeting his contract terms would prove much more costly than originally envisaged.

Again it's a case of finding the right player's on the right deals isn't it???
If the right deal isn't out there do we sign 2nd or 3rd best???
Before anyone mention's anselme he was already training at the club when the pritchard deal didn't come off and was only used in an emergancy which imo isn't the case now.

No I don't believe I would make such a ridiculous comment when I still fully expect Leeds to finish 1 or 2 this season. What I do say is that Leeds haven't successfully defended their WCC title and have also lost the 'virtual' Challenge Cup final with home advantage in their two target games so far this season.

Do you think we would of done with a fully fit squad???
I.e Webb who is 1 of our top drawer player's and buderus who would of added another dimension attacking wise.
Losing burrow was a massive blow aswell.

No we were outclassed regardless and Manly had injuries to!

And again why are you concerning yourself with something that is the CEO's responsibility. He either does the job or he doesn't. Last season he didn't and that is why Leeds are understrength and undercap and under quota.

This squad isn't as strong as last seasons or do you have an issue with that statement as well?



It's all hypothetical.

Neither team were at full strength but the fact that Leeds lost such a game that is so obviously skewed in the UK's team favour is a missed opportunity for bragging rights over the St Helens, Wigans and Bradfords of this league.

None of those could lay claim to ever being back to back WCC and now sadly neither can Leeds.

I'm just pointing out that GH will sign the right player's on the right deals and if he doesn't sign player's IMHO it doesn't mean he's failed.

Saints are better by some distance atm.

They must love you up at Headingley.

Why??
Isn't it as straight forward as that??
We have different opinion's is that a bad thing???
It's ok to say let's sign this player or that player but it's not that simple is it??

Is the squad stronger or weaker this season?

If it's stronger with Buderus and McShane added but without Toopi, Ellis, Scruton and Tansey then we'll have to agree to disagree over whether Hetherington failed or not.

TVOC.

Have you painted a "Sack the board" banner for Easter Monday?

Weaker. Simple as. In the sun today it confirms Martin Gleeson signing for Wigan today...I'm very suprised we've not brought him in. In fact I'm gutted we've not..

Ellis..
I'd say losing eastwood was a blow both in terms of strength and the plans for the season.
Toopi played a handfull of match's last year and we won a GF without him and saw out a wcc when he got injured.
Re-Scruton It would of been a toss up between him and burgess this year with everyone fit plus GH made him an offer he refused i don't see his departure as a failure.
As for tansey he wouldn't of featured much this year if at all.
Plus we have Gibson(give the kid a chance it took jjb and disko a lot longer than 5 match's to improve after injury nightmare's).
We also have watkins,Bjb and mcshane all 3 will imo make great player's for us.
The biggest loss is without doubt ellis and his replacement for whatever reason isn't here!!
Now i know we won't repeat the quality of the acadamy in terms of number's at the same time that produced the like's of sinfield,mcguire and burrow etc,but do you not think they should be given a chance??
I don't think the situation squad wise is as bad as some believe,could it be improved of course but it has to be right.

I made one aimed at the Alf Davies run board, i may still have it if he wants to borrow it. it still says "sack the board" on my mums garage fllor where the paint stained through.

Of course it has to be right. Who's saying it shouldn't be right? Overall what TVOC is saying is the squad isn't good enough and GH needs to get rectify this as his off season plan hasn't worked.

Maybe i'm reading this all wrong then,all i see is jibe's at GH and how he's failed and we aren't good enough etc etc plus the slating of player's like gibson is OTT imo.