If you look at the fundamentals of the team they're strong. It's in key areas we lack, compounded by the injury crisis that means we're putting out a second team, with nobody to effectively lead them around the park. McGuire it is clear cannot move us around on his own, and does not warrant a place in the team for his pace, agility and support running any more. Falloon it's become quite clear isn't good enough. But if you look at the rest of the squad:

Hardaker
Briscoe
Watkins
Moon
Hall

Lilley
Galloway
?
Cuthbertson
Ferres
Ablett
Ward

Burrow
Delaney
Garbutt
Singleton

Jones-Buchanan, Sutcliffe, Keinhorst, Mullally, Walters, Baldwinson, Hallas, Handley, Golding

There's plenty of quality there. The key signings we need are:

1. A stand off to move the team around the park. To support Sutcliffe & Lilley's development as our planned long-term combo. Looking at Super League, Brough or Brown would be ideal.

2. A hooker to give us some defensive solidity in the middle and something out of dummy half. If we can prize Danny Houghton away from Hull FC, or Shaun Lunt from Hull KR, we should.

3. A new solid workaday prop, to allow Cuthbertson to play loose and Ferres, Ablett and Ward to cover the 3 interchanging SR positions. Luke Burgess is quite likely available. If not this then another mobile second rower who can bring some impact off the bench. Delaney & JJ lack mobility and Keinhorst is never going to change a game.

whats more worrying is our championship rivals are recruiting in preparation for the middle 8s. They clearly sense a chance to get out of the league at our expense and they may well be right. Our MD doesnt seem to realise the precarious position the entire business is in never mind the team. We know form his email that the team is priority 4 of 4 but the financial consequences of relegation should mean hes having sleepness nights but clearly not.

So because he doesn't say it in an public e-mail he obviously isn't worried by our position? Ok then.

Actions speak louder than words.

Leeds are pretty much up against the salary cap - this is why the Ferres deal was only a one year one despite Leeds paying a transfer fee. The only way significant new signings can brought in is likely through players leaving or being released. This may be why Hardaker leaving is in the best interests of both parties.