The sleeve returns

About time.

Like a limpet sticking to the hull of a pirate ship.

Great he has got his finger out, I maintain it’s time he went or started bringing through a replacement but credit where it’s due this is the best recruitment drive for a long time and hopefully Croft can be a key catalyst in a revival next year.

Stage One - Pre-season optimism - ✅
Stage Two - Sobering opening game defeat - Pending ⏳

That’s the spirit

It's making me smile how insistent some people are on not putting 2+2 together.

For me there are two obvious, fundamental differences with our recruitment cycle here, compared to any other time since the Goldens (way too long between drinks).

1) commercially, the new sponsorship is huge - it is no coincidence.
2) Rohan Smith is calling the shots with the players he wants, and putting together his vision of the Leeds side.

GH has pulled the deals together really well, but this has Rohan Smith's fingerprints all over it, as much as many on here are so blinkered in their dislike of the bloke they will find any other reason for our sudden improvement in recruitment.

In reality I'm sure it's a team effort from everyone behind the scenes, and agreements reached on who we should target, but we never looked like recruiting this way before RS - this is a co-ordinated attempt to make the team look a certain way, it's not knee-jerk stuff and it's not recruitment based only on reputation. I think GH has backed his coach and will sack him on the other side if the side doesn't perform.

Agreed

We are definitely turning a corner this season.

The fans have asked the questions, and the club are starting to give the right answers.

I think we will all look back at this moment and see it as a pivotal time for Leeds Rugby League.

I agree Jim.

Let's just hope Rohan can now show the coaching skills that are required to prepare HIS team to win matches.
He's been fully backed by GH and the club.
He now needs to repay that faith.

The fact still remains that the first 10-12 games are critical to his future at Leeds.
But it's certainly looking more promising than it did 6 weeks ago.

I agree about the first 10-12 games, I think we need to give some leeway in the first few rounds, it is s whole new squad so it might take a few games to get going but Im hoping we see a big improvement even if we don’t fire on all cylinders.

I like RS and really want it to work out but let’s say it doesn’t the good thing is whoever comes in will actually have s very good squad of players to work with, not inheriting a shambles like RS did.

I am excited for the new season. I think the first 10 games will show whether Rohan is up to the challenge.

And also the players

I like RS and I think GH does too. 12 games is a fair time to judge, and I think he'll come good. However, GH isn't the doddery old man some have portrayed and the signings of Croft and Ackers not only strengthens our team, but also seriously compromises Paul Rowley's position at Salford. If things do go wrong next season he would be very short odds to get the job.

Agree with all the above. Rowley would be my choice if RS fails next year but goodness me lets hope it doesn't come to that. I think we've all had enough of it... my gut instinct tells me next season will be much much better but we certainly can't mess around if after 12 games it's not good.

These self proclaimed optimists with a shovel in one hand lining up Paul Rowley just in case. Hang your heads in shame