Wow! I am so glad I didn’t rent a car to drive from Nice to Perpignan, it would have been a very big waste of money (I am certain the England game is a better performance than that garbage! And they have been e) What a two weeks of a horror show. You can tell by the performances that there is an huge unrest at the club, which I can’t find anymore about and it’s all gone very quiet. No one looked interested at all and it’s like they have wrapped this season weeks ago. Smith has zero control over his players and it’s embarrassing to watch. What happened to Oledszki after his injury? He isn’t the same player anymore. O Connor is a great defensive hooker but has the pace of a slug! Not replacing Leeming was just a Leeds thing, saving money! I am genuinely embarrassed to be a Leeds fan, I considered lying to a bunch of England fans! I am going to say this again! GH has to go, but he won’t! The vision and ambition with signings, players out of position constantly is just awful. I don’t have the words still and they do more we need to pick apart!

I’d say a fair comparison for Smith is he’s in the same position Powell was at Wire at this point last year. Short leash for the start of next year and barring consistent improvement he should/will be gone.

...so, no talk of top class unexpected signings this week then.

Just what I was told in my last update, nothing else! So I still expect that to be happening! I am just very disillusioned by this club at the moment and no massive signings, etc will fix this. That on PAPER yesterday wasn’t a bad squad. But to throw up that and last week was just vile!

I'll be going, albeit with a very queasy feeling about it. GH has already come out and acknowledged the failings as well as marquee signings and very different playing squad. I don't think a "no show" would move the dial in that regard.

I think a poor start to next season will see RS gone.

The bugger problem is GH’s decision making over many years now: he is the strategic hand on the tiller at Leeds and at some point some accountability has to be taken.

His recent article looked basically like preparation to throw RS under the bus to me whilst trying to dodge any responsibility for himself.

We are going to have to be patient and see how the new signings work out as well as how the younger lads develop. If Miller and Frawley tank that alone might see us looking for a new coach early 2024.

We are still waiting for at least 2 maybe 4 new signings which could all be first team starters; still lots of change to come.

It will be a poor start to next season of that ive no doubt, we're realistically looking at really only Myler (and he will apparently only be a squad player) Bentley, Sangare, Frawley, Miller, Goudemand (who couldnt get in their side last night) to add so far to that, further additions are really going to have to go some to arrest the current malaise.

Come on mate it’s not that bad.

We know we have at least another 7 and 4 incoming; probably one or two more in addition. These signings will make some difference too.

Also the younger players can only improve with another full pre-season and we do have some talent there.

To the squad last night we will have:
Miller
New centre
(Simpson)
Frawley
New SH
Sangare
Goudemand /Bentley
Possibly new hooker and likely another prop

The side will probably be 50% or more different.

We should also have Handley back on the wing and Martin back at second row.

We need to get these signings right of course and there is still a chance we will start 2024 with a net worse squad than we began 2023 with so I’m realistic but… honestly wouldn’t read too much into the last two weeks.

Though i may think you're little misguided and bonkers, i admire your optimism. The last 2 weeks are just the icing on top of a very moldy cake. The players filling those gaps do not make me feel things are going to be better especially with RS leading them, beyond the players culpability and disruption, there have been so many coach failings that are very clear.

With GHs recent comments and the performances on top of the space available for change, there is no room left for more failure.

Completely agree, but not sure this is the narrative that fits current SS agenda!

This is where I currently am thoughts wise, if Smith can’t get a more consistent tune out of them he’ll be gone.

Someone mentioned the Donaldson resigning as an issue, in the few games this season where we’ve looked like turning the corner, he’s not been in the squad because the much more vaunted options have been fit/not banned/available. He’s a depth player and it’s a combination of iffy planning and bad luck that’s meant he’s played as much as he has.

The players I’m really feeling for at the minute are Martin and Gannon, being thrust here there and everywhere positionally but ultimately trying while on a hiding to nothing.

We have to avoid square pegs round holes, from both a squad and a coaching choice point of view to improve I think.