He's obliviously talented, but in Leeds colours he hasn't played against quality opposition. Some regarding him as Super Leagues best hooker need to give their head a shake. He'll be pivotal in our chances of improving next year. A few less forward passes would not hurt! He also needs to pal up with a young understudy. I remember how highly Buderus spoke of McShane.

You are right. Playing wise scope is limited. Hardaker goes it releases cap, JJB not retained would release more spend, albeit I think he would be a loss. The only other way is a player decides to retire early. If only hardaker leaves, think only one decent signing is possible.

If McD stays or goes, we need fresh coaching input and I think it will happen. Today my glass is half full of Luke warm cat slash.

Matter of interest what was the (number) Leeds following yesterday?

What evidence is there that Leeds spend the salary cap - I've never believed they have, not even in 2010 and that was a quality looking squad on paper, still able to add a returning Lee Smith to it mid season. If Gary Hetherington maxed the available spend in 2016 then he is losing his scrooge like tendancies and I'm not buying in to that scenario.

great updated info, thank you

I am not a big fan of JJB like others, never really have been. He's average at best in terms of ability, and the loss should be easy to cover. However, and let me make this clear, since his return he is the only player to show the sort of attitude, body on the line, will to work, that his team mates so clearly lack. What we may easy cover on ability, will find it incredibly hard under the current set up, to replicate that attitude and effort with someone else. Even I have to accep that. Shouldn't be that way, but unfortunately it is.

Leeds can thank Wigan for not getting relegated that season. In fact, Leeds owe Wigan two favours.

Wigan beat Oldham last game of the season 24-6 at the Watersheddings, courtesy of an Ellery Hanley hat trick and a try to David Stephenson. Wigan didn't need to win as they finished the season as champions 15 points clear of St Helens and Warrington.

Leeds may have lost their last 4 league games but Oldham lost their last 6 to Castleford, Barrow, Leigh, Salford and Wigan twice.

Leeds 4 defeats at the end of the season were against St Helens, Castleford, Bradford Northern and Halifax.

I recall the Halifax home game very well from the old Eastern Terrace with Leeds fans chanting "going down, going down, going down" during large parts of the game. Halifax fans obviously joined in on the Western Terrace

Question for TVOC: Which former Leeds player scored for Halifax on that last day of the championship season when Leeds were pondering relegation?

2,315, good turnout.

Sunday afternoon helps obviously,
your other followings this year were

1,259 in SL
1,970 in the cup game.
both on friday nights.

Don't think anyone knows but I can't imagine there is much left unspent. The other issue hinted at by McD earlier in the year is that both Sutcliffe and Lilley are on ten bob and a conker and therefore may be getting more next season.

Give Sutcliffe another five bob and both conkers - effect on cap neutral. Wasn't the comparison to the NQC half-back pairing of Thurston/Morgan. You'd expect that disparity to be huge and rightly so.

If the 2010 squad fit within the cap and still left room to bring Lee Smith back in mid-season I struggle to see how 2016's squad isn't comfortably within the limit. Mr Sheffield Eagles operates to his own budget not the one laid down by the RFL, IMO.

Nope.

Wilkinson played for Leeds that season.

Debuted for Halifax a season later.

TVOC got the correct answer: Neil Hague.

Gary Stephens.

I'm sure that I blinked and missed Alan Rathbone in a Leeds shirt during the same season.