I seen loads of people mentioning Arthur and him getting the best of of him, does he have a history of that, I know he didn't manage to get the best out of French and Field(may have been reasons for that) and he was sacked after 2 poor seasons where he had some very good players.

Not a criticism, genuinely interested.

I think the reference is to his disciplined approach to the players attitude. I don't think Field and french had those problems.

If BA can get Connors attitude right his ability will come through

It's a fair comment. Arthur has said quite a few times that one of the players he's most enjoyed coaching over here is Newman. He's probably our most similar player to Connor in terms of talent and temperament. It's been very interesting to see what Shaun Wane has brought out of Newman when he's played for England, which is similar to what Wayne Bennett brought out in Connor.

I think sometimes the best thing for a player with an ego and reputation is a coach with a bigger ego and reputation, combined with a deft touch on how to bring the best out of that player.

Time will tell whether Arthur can do that with Connor and Newman, but I certainly expect him to do far better than Rohan Smith in that regard.

Be interesting to see where Connor fits in.
I also think centre is his best position.
If Momirovski goes and we bring in Sivo, should be Sivo, Newman, Connor and Handley as the 3/4's.
Hall/Lumb as back ups.

BA may go with Handley in the centre and Connor as utility.
But then we could need his goal kicking.

On Connor I have always felt he plays well when there is a level of having something to prove. Generally I think he will do better in a bigger club with a lot of eyes on him and the club. Mixed with Arthur and his strict approach you can see him wanting to deliver.
He should be at his peak at 29, he isn’t quick and never was so his skills should be more rounded as he is older. Risky signing but if Newman and Connor are playing well and on board that is a good pair of difference makers out wide.

The signing was always going to happen, probably not super expensive and isn’t quota. Good depth and utility when needed. Would still like Mom to depart and to bring in another outside back from the NRL. I think it unlikely but maybe sangare and Warren out with Byrne from Wigan in would be an incredible off season of business

Sivo definitely not coming according to Peter Smith

That’s not exactly what he said, he said he’d been told it wasn’t happening. That to me implies we asked and there would be other things to work out before we could move forwards. Let’s see, he’s probably not but I don’t think the door is closed and locked.

In any case, the next steps need to be players leaving which IB seemed to say he expected on the Lot Pod.

I don’t think we’ve finished just yet.

Im going off the fact of BAs disciplined approach to players and keeping him in line I just believe he will be able to do this unlike eg smith

I think Connor's biggest issue is he is a bit hit and miss and goes for plays that are not on, a little like Miller. That's why I believe he is a better centre as there are less decisions to make. At stand off or full back, on his day he can look world class but he is also as likely to look shocking through silly passes, kicks and errors.

I am less concerned about his ego as long as it does not upset his teammates. I think it is just a desire to win a bit like Mikey Lewis, albeit I am sure Arthur will want him to reign it in a little and to focus more on his game.

I am hoping that he will go well for us playing at centre. He is also a goalkicker and does not fill a quota spot which is very useful.

Probably the best that we could get without using up a quota spot.

On his day Connor is a fantastic player and can singlehandedly rip teams top shreds on his own.

Think the comment about reigning in / harnessing his undoubted maverick tendencies is going to be key.

BA has had an positive effect on Bentley, Miller and TBF the squad as a whole. He knows what he wants from his players and if he doesn't get it then they are going to struggle to regain his trust and game time. No Nonsense and Im all for it.

Wayne Bennett said previously Connor was a player he enjoyed coaching and had an X-Factor about him, here's hoping a coach in a similar mould can coax the performances and attitude out of him on a regular basis. If not, BA doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who suffers fools gladly.

I don't think we need Sivo. Hall is going to be starting in a Grand Final. Why would he be a reserve here?

Sivo would be our world class attacking threat. It would provide great cover for any loss of form, injury and to allow players to be rested who have niggles without the replacement being Luis Robert's (I know he has now gone) or a 2nd row filling in at centre and significantly reducing the standard of our back line.

By the sounds of it, it does not sound like he will be coming though.

You have to credit Blease he is making a difference. Leeds have released 8 players of which only Martin was a regular starter in the 17. Discounted Fusitua as he missed so many games. We have brought in 4 players who are all potential starters in the 17. Add in Holroyd and Gannon and we look in a much better place. We have added size in the pack and guaranteed metres out of backfield plus some creativity with Connor. If we could secure another release and a strike player you would have to be pleased with the transfer business. Its not that long since the chat was we had little room to change the squad till 2026

i his reply yesterday on X he said ''I've asked the club about Sivo a few weeks ago, he's been offered to SL clubs but I'm told he's not heading to Leeds'' in his reply - that to me reads it's not happening unless the circumstances have now changed.. .

Momorowski leaving could be that change in circumstances?

Guess the injury he picked up early season may be worse than thought? I was told he had surgery on his ankle / knee last week.

I think Connor is. a Blease buy not BA as he won’t know very much about him , BA obviously ok with it.
Don’t particularly want Sivo , and old winger past his best , we have already signed one of those !

No doubting Sivo's quality but probably not the best use of a quota spot.We have two good wingers for next season not convinced we need a third with Lumb waiting for his chance.That saying i would still be happy if we could land Sivo.If all the back line were available it would be interesting who Arthur would go with.

If Newman can get through them so can Connor.

That reply was to me, I posted about the Sivo rumours and asked him. I think he was deliberately careful with his words, or the person he spoke to was, and that the statement was said in a way that was true at the time, but if Mom does leave, then things change...

Looking from the outside in, if I was a fan at Wigan or Warrington (will never,ever, ever happen) I would look at our recruitment and say that Leeds were stronger but still not going to be top 3 material. They will not be looking at the names signed and say why didn't we get them! Hopefully that will change over the course if the season. It is easy to get carried away when the new recruits are announced. Look how happy we were last year with Croft and Ackers. We knew to begin with that we were at least 1 prop short but we had visions of being back in the mix for play offs.
fingers crossed that the sum of the whole is greater than the individuals. I will always have hopes of getting to Old Trafford but i still don't see it for 2025.
Are we moving in the right direction, yes i think so. I will still renew my season ticket and hope to be entertained and not leaving HQ depressed like this year

Yeah i saw that it was you matey

I read it differently, he didn't say he isn't going to Leeds atm, or as it stands
Seems to be saying he's going somewhere, but not Leeds to me

In the NFL they have dead cap when players leave and there's time left on their contracts. It's all transparent too.

I'd love to know how salary cap is affected in Superleague when players leave with time on their contracts Re: Goudemand and potentially Momorovski.

The difference being that NFL are cuts and Superleague being mutually agreed. Presumably there's at least a partial pay off.

I think someone said that payouts didn't count towards the cap? Not sure if that's true or not.

As per LeedsLurch's post, the names we have signed so far will not have broken the bank. Palasai has a decent enough track record, but if Smith had looked to sign a player like Jenkins there'd be consternation. Along with Connor it feels like we're taking a high risk approach - if it comes off these will look like genius signings, if not.....Although I do like the fact that they are all on 2 year contracts. Hopefully we've learned lessons about overcommitting to long term deals.

Looking at our squad vs Wigan, Sts etc it still feels like some of the existing players must be earning overs based on actual performances if we're near the cap.