Compounded by the presumption that our academy would simply churn out players good enough to simply pick up the baton. Hopefully lessons have been learned on both counts.

Totally agree, some on here had a go at my comments and defended the club, but now they are saying something different. This club has been mis managed from top to bottom in terms of player recruiting, and handing out contracts. I then hear that clubs who are building stadiums save money on recruiting to invest in the stadium, not so far in this case, this has been going on for years and if we were saving money to spend on the stadium why do we owe the lenders £millions, trust me, this is rubbish just check the accounts they are at companies house, they don't lie. Some are saying next year will be different, we are fighting relegation we may end up in the Championship, don't assume we will be ok, ask any fan outside of Leess and they are saying we are favourites to go down . Changes are needed sooner rather than later. If Leeds do get relegated SL is in big trouble especially with the sponsors, and if we do go down administration is an option to get rid of the debt.

Are you this pessimistic in real life?

Administration? Really?

Leeds are favourites to go down by other clubs fans because that’s what they want to happen not because it is nailed on going to happen.

Im glad for your sake you aren’t a Widnes or Bradfird fan!

It took years to build to 2004 and that monumental GF victory. It’s taken years to lose our mojo too.

It will probably take us years to get it back again, but particularly with the youth we have coming through now, benchmarked again at the Aussie schoolboys (albeit on home turf and in very un-Australian conditions) - things look bright. We have similar ingredients to the time leading up to success. That’s no guarantee of course.

The club, long term, deserves criticism for the way it’s handled the transition away from the old guard - in the short term however I don’t see what hand we have left to play except to get the most out of the squad we have, which should still be good enough to avoid bottom spot by season end. There is no point just sticking in too many U19s players now, it is a huge physical jump to open age.
A handful are close, but most are another year or two off.

There is no point exchanging players unless whoever is coming in is significantly better than those leaving.

One thing we have in common with teams from other sports who are at the top for a long time is overvaluing bit- part players. We've still got multiple GF winners in the squad, who have no doubt received rewards consistent with the belief that they are integral to success, when in fact most of them could have been replaced with similar players with little effect.

Over time that leads to paying top dollar for too many plodders and a hopelessly imbalanced squad.

Whilst I agree that the youngsters look promising, most sports teams that gel with the youth players coming in already have a structure, a spine and some experienced leaders to bring them through. If you look at wigan and the kids they broought through under Wane, it was into a very well structured team with some strong leaders in key positions, o'loughlin in particular. Leeds need to get lucky with a new Sinfield and Peacock coming through.... I think Merrin was earmarked for the Peacock pack leader role, but so far has not shown that....

I see Ablett's out for another 6 weeks - so he'll have missed half the season before he gets a game. JJB missed 6. Ridiculous relying on so many over 30s. Mind you I've no idea what's happened to Crosby....

Sinfield, Peacock and McGuire were unique not just in their ability but longevity. In the end the fact they lasted so long seems to have blinded the club to the fact RL is in fact a young man's game.

Yes.

If we're waiting for another JP to lead the pack, we'll be waiting a long time. There isn't another player quite like him in SL now, and we couldn't afford his calibre from the NRL more than likely - you're talking about a current top-8-in-the-world player in the pack. JP wasn't completely golden balls but he did have a ridiculous mentality which rubbed off on other players and inspired juniors. With the current balance of power, could we afford to sign James Graham, Sam Burgess, JWH..?

It's that word "inspiration" which is something Leeds need to get into that dressing room. I don't think we have it. Not with a bunch of guys who have winner's rings but no knees left; not with the ex-Aussie international who wants out after 2 months already. Where are these lads looking to for real inspiration? We need people in there who are at the top of their game and have real talent and mentality. We have plenty of the old guard around the place for advice and tales of great deeds, but an 18 year old need to see it on the pitch next to him IMO, see it on the training field. We have some brilliant players still and good people around the place, but we're definitely missing the magic juice. I was watching the game against Cats just wishing someone, anyone was going to put their hand up and pull a magnificent sidestep or chip over the top out of nowhere to seal the game, but no we got the rabbits in headlights instead again.

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/tr ... l-gillard/ 'He doesn't handle pressure too well'.......perfect

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/tr ... l-gillard/ 'He doesn't handle pressure too well'.......perfect

https://twitter.com/smtmuk/status/11108 ... 57504?s=21 Wonder if this relates to us? Is Golding on his books?

https://twitter.com/smtmuk/status/11108 ... 57504?s=21 Wonder if this relates to us? Is Golding on his books?

Quote paddock="paddock"https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/trent-merrin-is-homesick-says-penrith-star-reagan-campbell-gillard/ 'He doesn't handle pressure too well'.......perfect'" “It was always going to be a challenge to come to a different country and get used to new things,” he said. “But that’s what I came here for, to step out of my comfort zone, to try something new and come into a new group. “People will see how we’re going at the moment and take that as me not enjoying what’s going on. Obviously, you’re not going to enjoy losing, you’ve got a problem if you do enjoy losing. “You’ve got to go through tough times to realise what sort of a person you are and I’m not turning my back on this team. “There’s a lot of outside noise at the moment and it’s hard to push that away when it’s in your face all the time with social media, but I’ll focus on what I can control and my part in turning things around. “It’s a tough time and that’s what Rugby League is. You wouldn’t do it if you weren’t made for it. “Obviously the season hasn’t worked in our favour and at times it does get hard, but you’ve got to go through tough times to realise what sort of a person you are and I’m not turning my back on this team.” www.totalrl.com/merrin-not-going ... s-reports/

Quote paddock="paddock"https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/trent-merrin-is-homesick-says-penrith-star-reagan-campbell-gillard/ 'He doesn't handle pressure too well'.......perfect'" “It was always going to be a challenge to come to a different country and get used to new things,” he said. “But that’s what I came here for, to step out of my comfort zone, to try something new and come into a new group. “People will see how we’re going at the moment and take that as me not enjoying what’s going on. Obviously, you’re not going to enjoy losing, you’ve got a problem if you do enjoy losing. “You’ve got to go through tough times to realise what sort of a person you are and I’m not turning my back on this team. “There’s a lot of outside noise at the moment and it’s hard to push that away when it’s in your face all the time with social media, but I’ll focus on what I can control and my part in turning things around. “It’s a tough time and that’s what Rugby League is. You wouldn’t do it if you weren’t made for it. “Obviously the season hasn’t worked in our favour and at times it does get hard, but you’ve got to go through tough times to realise what sort of a person you are and I’m not turning my back on this team.” www.totalrl.com/merrin-not-going ... s-reports/

Yes, he is.