Like most, I'd be pulling the trigger on a fair few.
Spine needs better quality. So while individually I wouldn't be averse to retaining Myler, Sezer and Leeming, if we had a big money contract to let then I'd be looking to replace even one of those. Everyone else playing spine could go, Sinfield excepted.
Of the three-quarters, Fusitu'a, Handley and Newman are the ones I'd keep.
Pack - Mik and Gannon yes. Smith would be playing for a contract, possibly Holroyd too. Patience maybe needed with the latter.

We need to get away from persisting with players who are too small, too slow, too soft, too injury prone and who can't master the basics. Far better if these are playing for our rivals if at all possible. At the moment the club's doing a passable imitation of a donkey sanctuary.

I’d agree with this. There’s a fair few players on the maybe list who can be straightened out with strong coaching. I’d like to keep hardaker as a starting fullback as I think he’s quite a bit better than myler, obviously Walker has the potential but not the durability. He might also be needed in the centre depending on what’s available.

For me the two or three big jobs are: sort the balance of the pack, more props is number one priority.

Sort service from dummy half- whether that’s Johnson or someone else.

Get someone to partner Sezer. Fwiw I think Austin’s tried hard but not enough to justify a contract.

Clearwing - you've said what I think very succinctly - we have a lot of players who are too small, too soft, too injury-prone (and could also add weak mentally and just lacking basic skills).

The only caveat I'd have is on skills. Some of our squad might improve a lot if they were forced to work an off-season on core skills, which Tony Smith did pre 2004 and Rohan might be the kind of coach to do the same. Its ridiculous to have to talk about a hooker with a years-long first grade career needing to learn how to pass, but that's the reality. He's not the only one who has basic flaws which shouldn't be seen in the Championship let alone SL.

1. Zak Hardaker
2. David Fusitu’a - OQ
3. Harry Newman
4. Liam Sutcliffe
5. Ash Handley
6. Blake Austin
7. Aidan Sezer
8. Mikolaj Oledzki
9. Kruise Leeming
10. Matt Prior - OQ
11. James Bentley
12. Rhyse Martin - OQ
13. Zane Tetevano - OQ
14. ?
15. ?
16. Richie Myler
17. Cameron Smith
18. Tom Holroyd
19. ?
20. Jack Walker
21. Morgan Gannon
22. Sam Walters
23. Jarrod O’Connor
24. Liam Tindall
25. James Donaldson
26. Corey Johnson
27. Levi Edwards
28. Max Simpson
29. ?
30. ?
31. Oli Field
32. Jack Sinfield

Once Smith has had a chance to really assess players, it might be interesting to put the bulk of the squad on notice. I know they don't have relegation in the NRL, but Gus Gould yesterday said that while they are in a mess the "good news" is that only 5/6 players are contracted for 2024. That sounds a long way away but he's basically told every other player to shape up or ship out. You don't have to do it publicly but I do wonder if some of our squad really understand that if they get the flick from a rubbish Leeds team they will struggle to get decent offers from anywhere else.

St Helens are reportedly in for Dwyer next season

Dwyer might be ok for saints but whichever way you look at it

Roby - Lussick to Lussick - Dwyer is a massive downgrade

It is but lessened by the fact Dwyer will play short minutes, play behind that pack so will have more room to exploit and I expect Lomax, Dodd and Welsby will remove doubt when they want the ball.

But yes Roby is a great player and Dwyer is not.

Dwyer's mate Hurrell is there too for now anyway

must keeps-- newman , gannon oledski , bentley , poss simpson , sinfield , fusi

I'd add O'connor. Really bright future if he wants it and has the right coaching.

Handley might not be the best winger in the comp but he's been right up there as leeds best player this year so far. Smith has also impressed in recent weeks with improved discipline.

but they're not must keeps , one hasn't bulked up nd the other too bulky , i like them but like most a shadow of what we've had , don't see where o'connor fits in

Given the contract situation, Smith's first aim has to be to forge a side greater than the sum of the parts. For whatever reason, we're lumbered with one that is less right now. Once that's done he'll be better placed to assess the essential departures.

The problem being if he doesnt act quick then essential recruitment options will be limited with us picking up scraps

that would be murrayesque although with harris, blackmore, godden, mcdermott, powell, morley glanville , neewton , jackson
did have some better parts to work with before improving st hilaire , sheridan , farrell , fleary , hay --- we were fortunate have settled sides for 2 yrs that could become a unit and play to a plan
which old dogs can he teach new tricks or youngsters take to another level

will he have much say in recruitment ? he should but will he?

Yep, totally. All I'm saying is that his hands will be tied to some extent. Some players have been so p*** poor that moving them on before their contracts run down might not be do-able.

That's a really good question.
Players that to me look like they could be improved by a decent coach are Newman, Smith, Leeming, Bentley, Gannon...not many old dogs learning new tricks in that list, now you come to mention it.
Im not delving too deep here, there are other fringe youngsters that common sense suggests could be added too.

Lets give Smith a bit of credit he has been herë for 2 matches and probably watched videos of the rest. The contract scenario will dictatë what he can do in the short term. There is no point speculating about anybody currently contracted beyond this season as unless they wish to go or get a better offer which is unlikely based on performance they will be at Leeds.
As such the available cap will be the players departing so probavly Briscoe Mellor Broadbent Dwyer and Thompson.
Question marks then over Martin and Austin. Throw Hardaker into the mix as well. In terms of overseas players we will definitely have at least 2 slots as I think he will only keep 2 of the above players. I expect signings from the secondary competition in Australia which is fine as he should have a good knowledge of the standout players. I also expect a slightly smaller squad. Even with the players departing if hardaker resigns you could argue we only need 3 to 4 plyers to replace 6 outgoing. Better to take a bit of time than dive in and blow the available cap. There may be potential deals in Australia all ready lined up by Smith. He will know what players he would want from over there if cap space is available.

Good to see O'Connor has signed a new 3 year contract, he seems to always be improving

Austin is apparently contracted for next year. Personally im happy with that

you'd be happy with jane austen maybe it's to play 2nd row where he makes his runs and get rid of martin and upset all martin's fb fans - underwhelmed with oconnor too as unfortunately not got his fathers genes

I think you've been hacked doc.
Talking complete nonsense....

chris is always a full glass person , can't get excited about retaining this years squad but to many to get rid of in one go