I hope we make a play for Trent Hodkinson. I read that he's interested in super league given he's stuck in reserve grade currently and he has an English father. He is a fantastic kicker and it's exactly what we need. I do think we need a prop still but I've seen enough from Holroyd etc to suggest that we could get by without bringing a new prop in. I think it's the kicking that is costing us in most games. Sutcliffe / Myler and Lolohea can all run with the ball but neither of them are good kickers. we got bailed out by Dwyer a few times with his kicks making touch and making the drop goal.

Hi.

You must be new to Southstander as this post makes far too much sense.

Are you sure you shouldn't be berating Lolohea after 6-7 games or calling for Furners head.

We haven't had a kicking game since Sinfield left and arguebly we have had a PROPER half with a kicking game for 10-15 years (yeah Ryan Sheridan, I'm looking at you).

Although, if he's not free, forget it. We only do free.

Ha ha. I've made my fair share of daft comments in the past also

. I have been overly critical of Myler in the past but I do feel for him slightly. He's not a natural kicker and he has to take all of the kicking responsibility as nobody else can do it. we've desperately needed a kicker every since Sinfield like you say. Being Leeds we'll probably sign another second rower

We need to have some vision of the way we want to play as a team and club, and they which type of players we need to bring in to achieve that. That's why I think it's important we get some consistent time under Furner and Sinfield now. Tactical signings when you're in a mess often just build bigger problems for the future.

The best kicker I can think of actually was Tony Kemp, he was brilliant at times. Sinfield was a wonderful place kicker but I didn't always think he was great at field kicks, and Mags and Burrow were almost out and out runners (although will never forget that cheeky chip over the top Mags did for Ryan Hall against Huddersfield).

One of the key things we're lacking this year is that pin-point accurate field kicking which creates opportunities for points and applies relentless pressure on opposition. Most NRL sides have this and most SL sides don't. Tui does have a ridiculous bomb to be fair, but McLelland is probably the best player at the club for the little grubber kick through the line and possibly general field kicking.

There are players in the NRL who have this skill set but are under the Origin radar for whatever reason, or are playing behind a current superstar. I do think we need a bit of magic at 6 or 7 in this team; having a really high quality half lifts the whole side, and is invaluable for the younger players coming through too.

The last proper tactical kicker we had, other than Kemp - sadly probably was Ryan Sheridan; or even Gavin Brown.

That`s why and I hate to say it but Wakefield signing Brough for a year was a very good move.

Hmm so rumour is that we’re signing Albert for 2 years, Williams of Wigan to Canberra, Wigan will be in market for marquee half such as Maloney...

This is absolutely correct, our kicking game is dreadful. Trent Hodkinson is a quality half back who is currently available, we simply have to sign him up.

Holroyd is going to be a quality prop but a bit young and inexperienced to be a first team regular this year, Wellington Albert is an ideal stop gap.

How do we stand on overseas players? Hodkinson is half English but will be overseas trained.

What do you reckon to Danny Richardson from Saints? Looks behind Fages in pecking order there. Great kicking game. Too weak in defence...?

Would prefer Richardson to Hodkinson. Hodkinson is basically a one legged man these days isn't he? Unless I'm thinking of someone else I'm sure he's had some knee issues over the past few years?

One legged man or Lolohea? Who's better?

It's not impossible Tui could still make the grade, he is talented but clearly areas of his game he needs to fix up.

I'm not too keen on signing players who are absolutely battered physically I have to say. There again, Hodkinson is a good organiser and kicker. It's like Brisbane was saying - signing a player like that on a 3-4 year contract because that's what it takes, doesn't make sense to me. Fair enough if they're current first graders and under 27. We do need to be conscious of salary too - firstly because of the cap, but also because large discrepancies just have to build resentment, unless the high paid players absolutely deliver.

I suppose again it comes down to what kind of team Leeds envisage success to look like in another year or three. We have done far too much speculative "decent looking player, good price, let's fit them in somewhere". We need a very targeted approach to building a winning side again here, because frankly we're not in the market for world-class players any more who for whom you might bend a team.

I also wonder whether a bid for Jackson Hastings makes sense. Maybe we just won't do anything, because Myler is trying hard and Tui or Sutcliffe might do a good enough job at 6 between them.