I shared your optimism for the Sangare signing at the time, but that's long gone I'm afraid. I've got no problem with clearing out some of the dead wood, but my only concern is that we might go down the road of bolstering the squad with another set of journeyman, which is exactly how we ended up with the two French lads, Roberts etc. Hope we target 3 (as a minimum) signings of real quality, trim the squad size and focus on giving the likes of TNW, McCormack, Sinfield and others a proper pathway.

We’ve had poor coach after poor coach for so many years, paired with a CEO who on the rugby side is so far past his sell by date that he can’t recognise a good player any more, it’s no surprise that our recruitment has been shocking for so long. Fortunately now we have an excellent coach and a very astute SD, let’s see if the board will back them to transform the squad.

I’m not holding my breath, but it’s the best shot at recruitment we’ve had in years.

Players very rarely stay if it's made clear they aren’t wanted. Mom hasn't set the world on fire, but I don't think he'll have much trouble getting another gig in SL, or as a squad player in the NRL. It's just a question of whether we might need to supplement a portion of his wages, particularly if he stays in England. I am sure he'll be going though - Arthur has publicly stated he wants another 3/4 and didn’t deny interest in Rapana. Given the surgery required in the pack, that can only mean one thing.

Agree Arthur - while the incomings might have been a mess, Smith at least showed it is possible to move players on you don't want, even if they are contracted. You just have to be clear they have no future at Leeds. We've got three or four forwards who I'd rather pay a chunk of their wages for them to be at Championship teams than at Headingley, and that's exactly what I'd be telling them will happen if they insist on seeing out their contracts. I'd rather take a hit on their salaries and bring in fewer quality players and rely on youth to back up.

Frankly its hard to see us getting anywhere without at least two quality big forwards adding. I'm not surprised Arthur sees the backs as a problem as well, as we've got so little physical punch.

Arthur has also mentioned pre season a lot. It will be very interesting to see what difference that can make to some players.

Think Smith got players to leave by being himself and once they saw how awful he was after a pre-season and full year in charge, they ran out the door!

Agree he couldn't have been more obvious in terms of where he considered the issue to be regarding recruitment in the backs talking about potentially Handley to centre and an overseas three-quarter being recruited. The recruitment generally is shocking when we look at the overseas players. Lisone lazy and unfit! Momo no pace or power! Sangare both of the above plus no idea! Goudamond ok player at a lower level but adds nothing to first 17 ! Frawley underwhelming but would be ok if we fixed the other areas! Miller I think is good now he's cutting out mistakes tough durable and works hard making good metres every week. Croft just picked the wrong team ! Martin quality.