If anything summed up how the club had got into the mess it has since 2015, it was GH's attempt to put yet another pile of garbage season down to how competitive SL is.

I fear that all the Leeds players think that by having a tough pre-season from Arthur that they will instantly be a top team. I am concerned they believe they can just turn up next season and they will be a top four side.

Seems an illogical concern to me. Would you rather they were as unfit as they were last year? Friendlies don't tell us much, but a feature of Boxing Day was the improved and sustained line speed. Last year we simply were not well conditioned enough to execute Arthur's game plan. If they can take that one aspect into the season proper, they'll be much improved.

I don't buy it either, BA is not that slack to allow that level of negligence. He knows these are steps along a journey.

A tough demanding coach is not the answer for every side in every situation. However, at this moment in time at Leeds it is exactly what we need. In 5 years things could be different but right now we need fitness, strength, accountability, less errors and the basics done well. Once we've got that sorted we can look to play in a different style.

Doesn't seem illogical to me. Leeds have shown time and time again that they are a mentally weak side, so them believing the hype that having a tough pre-season will automatically make them a top side concerns me. Time will tell.

I agree that Brad Arthur is exactly what we needed at this point and that a tough pre-season is also needed, it just concerns me when some of the players think that a tough pre-season will parachute them to the top. The London games last season were a prime example of Leeds believing they could just turn up and win.

I think a change in their mindset is also needed along with improved fitness, strength, skill etc.

But none of the players have said anything about top 4. The only message I've picked up is an admission that they need to do better, far better. There's been no hint of complacency that I have detected, maybe I've missed something.

I don't think it's been complacency exactly, more of a rabbits-in-the-headlights thing when they've encountered adversity.

As Mike Tyson famously pointed out: everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth..

It'll be interesting to see whether Arthur can remedy that. Big, big clear out if not I feel.

Like what i've seen from the pre season clips from the coach tbh.. he's delivering several home truths to the players and getting them much much fitter. This can only benefit the players. It may break some (which case get rid longer term) but it could be the making of many.. one of the reasons NRL teams are so good is the fitness and intensity levels they can maintain for match after match... we need some of that.

I dont think one preseason will cure all ill's, in fact I don't really think any Leeds fan believes that seriously anyway.

Its a first step on the road back to the top, one we should've taken years ago but were too busy being complacent.

If Arthur can come in and add some aggression in D, set the players up to be competitive in EVERY game and get the hunger back in the squad then Im all for it.
For far too long this team has been happy just to coast through a season, turn up at the end and have done with it, its a mentality that needs obliterating, that can only come with accountability and I think BA and IB will not stand for it anymore, nor should they and nor should we.

Not sure I agree with the idea the club have been complacent, or team have been coasting year to year. The club have gone through multiple coach changes, squad changes, made big name marquee signings, signed MOS contenders, and got the check book out big style, for MOS winners international players. It’s just not worked out the way we wanted. It’s a similar position Man united have been in.
I don’t think for one minute the players haven’t been trying (some exceptions Tetavano, Sezar etc)

The players will want to succeed and win things unfortunately some players were simply not good enough (a few still aren’t) and coaches not good enough. Hopefully we have better this season and mostly the right personnel, but if we fall short again I don’t think it’s that the club is complacent or players not trying.

For what it’s worth. I think we make the top 4!