A positive for next season -

We could start the season as defending champions.

Probably find out when he's boarded the plane to go back home.

A friend at work told me he had a "source" at the club and apparently it's a done deal and buderus is off. Might be true but I am not sure that the bloke has a source at all!!

Whilst we might be desperate to know about any changes for next year, at this stage of the season its probably not a bad thing to leave any announcements until we're done for the year. If Buderus is leaving for example, the last thing he (or the team) needs is for him to be continually asked about it right now.

I've been told from my brother (who was there) it slipped out from Buderus him self in an after game speech in the long bar...

heard it from a friend pretty high up in the club buerus is going home but we will have a replacement

through the wind and the rain

we will still be supporting our team

If we've signed McShane and Hood to 4 year deals, why would we need a replacement for Buderus (see rumours thread)? Certainly wouldn't suggest the club is looking for a replacement.

If you add to that the emergence of Hardaker as a centre, unless a genuine world class centre becomes available, the only new player I'd possibly like to see is a really hard-running forward. Even then we could easily offload a couple of our contracted forwards.

Don't forget that Hetherington has always had a loose definition of "replacement" and therefore in all likelihood given the new deals announced any replacement for Buderus will not be a hooker.

Given that Leeds are losing one player who is currently quota exempt in Lauitiiti, if his direct replacement is coming from overseas then that would use up the quota spot made available by Buderus leaving.

A direct replacement for Lauititi (a game-breaking forward) would be nice. A world class centre would be an advantage for any SL side and a world class 9 would also be lovely. However, the above are probably not available, and I only favour recruitment if it enhances what you have, not just recruitment for recruitment's sake.

I'm not up for backing youth at all costs, to the extent of not bringing in the right quality from outside, but I'd definitely rather back youth next year than just bring in any old rubbish for the sake of filling up the salary cap.

Yup.

A 2011 Ali has shown more in recent weeks (which runs in our improvement of form) the benefit of a line breaking, ball promoting, wide running forward.

Players like you say, need to improve the current blend or have a stand out USP (unique selling point). Ali's is obvious and at the moment his departure hasn't been filled.

Positive for next Season. Gareth Hock.

Only a matter of time.

He did mention when asked about going to Catalan next year that you should do something different and not we, which made people think that he wouldn't be here. When asked the direct question he refused to say either way.