£50,000-£100,000 would be the difference between the two, not so sure that one works David. That would be recovered easily to do both.

Appeasing fans isn't the issue. Its bringing in bigger crowds, more sponsors and corporate money. Without something fairly significant on the playing side it will be almost impossible to generate much enthusiasm before next year.

I know we can grow things more organically - by playing good rugby and winning, but after this year following last year's debacle I imagine marketing will be a tough slog by that route.

A 'big' signing might be more about trying to create a positive pitch than a genuine hope they'll get us amongst the trophies in 2020.

I think they will want to put the season properly to bed before having a big marketing push for next season, it will be interesting how they sell it to the floating fans that's for sure!

Or the loyal fans who will become floating ones.

Well, quite.

How many season tickets did we sell last year? it will be interesting to see how many sell for next year especially as the stadium is complete.

I do suspect we will see a drop in ST sales 3 crap seasons out of 4 will take its toll, although I should imagine corporate sales could be up because of the new facilities.

I have just been sick from laughing that hard

Even if they brought in the third marquee signing allowance, who could we get? Can’t honestly think of any British qualified players I’d go all-out for unless you’re in S Burgess territory.

Jake Connor is a loon and Trueman very young and untested.

Really if we want star draw that means signing from the NRL, and practically that would mean freeing up an o/seas quota spot - which might not be possible for 2020.

I could see a scenario where Merrin might go back to Aus if we were prepared to lose him, and then we could sign a word class bracket 7 or 8, maybe.

Lui was a big call given the quota spot he takes, given that he’s marginal for a Leeds 6 IMO.

Point is there’s a bit of Jenga to play before we get exciting new signings in from this point.

Heard on the grapevine that Leeds are after Gale, but depends on Cas getting Danny Richardson from Saints.

Said it before and will repeat. The one Marquee Leeds should go for, and he is British, blow the whole lot on him, is Josh Hodgson. Such a quality hooker, and you would be hard pressed to find a British player who could influence us as much.

Now that would be a huge signing which would transform the team. It just wouldn’t happen though at this stage in his career.

Poor mans Lee Radford

Whilst I agree with you on his quality and influence on a side like Leeds, I would imagine we simply couldn't afford him? One of the top hookers in the world and totally embedded into an NRL side who's travelling well...

Maybe, maybe after the Raiders win a Premiership but couldn't see it otherwise, much as I'd like to.

is there any signing that would increase the crowd ................

wasnt hanley on a cut of increased crowds years ago?

Iestyn Harris was a bit of a catalyst back in the day.

Then we had Keith Senior, Gareth Ellis, JP, to a lesser extent Barrie Mac. Players I’d watched at other clubs and wished we could have.

We had real ambition and means back then.

I’m not sure who there is in the current game that fits the same mould - and if they did the NRL is so dominant now they’d probably go over there.

It’s a real issue because the talented youth still need some inspirational mature players to anchor the side. We lost half our international players this year and the other is still under an injury cloud....

Spot on. They were great British signings which made a statement and lifted the club. We need to make one or two again.

Christopher they are already pushing the meetings for the corporate tables in the Directors suite and the emerald suite. Last season the Directors suite was £3k per season ticket and in the Emerald suite £2.7 k per season ticket. Buying a table is expensive, trust me I have one in the Directors suite, like you said 3 crap years out of 4 there is no chance that they will fill these suites next year. I could always fill the Friday night games, but Thursday was touch and go and Sunday no clients wanted to come. As I understand the emerald suite and Directors suite was pretty much full this season, but the newness is wearing thin and to listen to the spin that GH puts out after each performance is unbearable I may buy again for the season, but they will have to reduce the price of the tickets especially after some of the poor performances this year.
I have supported this team for years especially in the number of seats I have bought but, maybe a couple of seats in the south stand would be better for me next season and buy for clients on a match by match basis

I think we should all get behind Agar. He's not a sexy appointment but he stepped in when we were in a bad way this year and got the job done. While you can argue the why's and the wherefores with win percentages etc, games still needed to be won which we didn't look capable of at the start. Some of these so called easier games were games we lost the start (London, Wakefield etc). I hope there's no relegation next year because then we really can go into a full rebuild and I will happily support a young team that maybe isn't picking up as much results as long as I can see the plan..the potential etc.

I’m going to put this out there and say I think Agar will take the side forward next year.

Partly due to the squad starting next season already being stronger on the squad that started this, partly because I think he has an idea what needs to change.

There is a danger that within the Leeds bubble they believe they are better than they really are, but I expect us to be competitive next season and then challenging for honours after that. Some of the senior players are more like it now; and the younger players are going to get better (and new ones graduate into first grade).

Now I’ve said that the club will probably fall into a hole, Agar will get sacked and I’ll be chased off this forum with pitchforks.

it depends who comes in. with this squad its 8th at best for me

I’d take 8th if it meant we got a really developmental year in for the likes of McLelland, Johnson, Oledzki,
Holroyd, Mustapha, Walters etc.

Just can’t see us winning anything next year within the room we have to work in. It’s about the future team and how we build for 2021 and beyond.

Its a fair point it was just an idea?

I'm not sure where the pessimism is here. We are currently 8th. We may slip down depending on results, but we are currently an 8th placed side. Form over the last half of the season is much improved, and many of the issues that were present at the start of the season have been sorted. With an off season to get the team together Agar can put a plan together for the season. It won't be a stellar season, but is hope for a challenge for the play offs, albeit, we may fall short

cant see us anywhere near 5th sorry

Getting near 5th is not a badge of honour in this day and age.