I haven't criticised the CEO for the non-signing of Shenton. I have expressed an opinion that Shenton would strengthen the current Leeds squad if he was available.



Toopi took time to settle at Leeds. The latter part of 2007 and 2008 (when available) his form was pretty good and Gibson far from being in a position to challenge for the spot was permanently on the treatment table. Leeds haven't had a settled right centre since Toopi's injury V Melbourne with Ablett coming closest to claiming it.



Only time will tell if the squad assembled is up to defending their SL title.

If they have such faith in the youth set up why did they see the need to target Pritchard, Eastwood and Soliola in the off season?

What isn't in question is that the squad assembled has already failed to defend their WCC title, went out of the Challenge Cup at the first hurdle at home, lost V Salford for the first time in 16 years (at home to them for the first time in 32 years) and lost away at Odsal becoming the only Bradford opponent to do so in 2009 in the process.

After reading all the posts on this subject. It seems to me that tvoc is the only one writing perceptive, sensible opinions, in marked contrast to the Hetherington cheer leaders who are ably led by G1.

So the success GH has produced at our club including saving us from being bankrupt,building the acadamy,carnegie stand etc isn't worth supporting????????????
Tvoc has his view's and fair play he does stand by them and argue his case but that doesn't mean my and anyone else who are backing the ceo and willing to keep faith in this squad are wrong!!

heard westerman is on his way to us.

The latter part of 2007 he was solid, no more. He was fortunate that the player you see as not being good enough for Leeds got injured so he could have his place back.

Just what did Toopi do in the latter part of 2008 other than be injured? Gibson was joined on that treatment table for most of 2008 by Toopi.

Leeds haven't had a settled right since Chev Walker.



Indeed.

....and having failed to land them for various reasons they have faith in their youth set up rather than simply sign someone, anyone who wasn't even on their agenda in the first place.

You don't defend a WCC because if you don't win the championship you don;'t get the opportunity. You compete for a fresh one each year.

This assembled squad have won the same number of Challenge Cups as every squad for the last ten years.

Losses in regular league games are an irrelevance and will be even more so if this squad makes history in Oct.

I read Fox had signed a new three year deal with Hull KR.

And whats not to cheer Les?

You've watched Leeds for some time. Have any of those great players, great teams ever achieved what the club have under GH's stewardship?

Why on earth would anyone with any sense not enjoy this halcyon period in the great club?

Are we still in the Halcyon period, or has it now ended?

Still in it. Still the same squad that has won back to back championships. Still the same captain that has liften 3 championships in 5 years. Still in with a shout of winning a 3rd consecutive championship, or as much of a shout as anyone.

The performances week in, week out where in excess of twenty penalties/handling errors are the norm.



How many of the 32 Leeds games in 2007 did Toopi miss? Gibson missed 22 if that helps any and you are quite correct, I see no point in retaining Ashley Gibson once his contract expires this season.



Clinton Toopi started at right centre in 35 of 44 matches (Aug 2006 to Feb 200icon_cool.gif and of the 9 he didn't start at right centre he started 6 of those at left centre, when Tony Smith experimented with switching his centres. Of course Toopi was naturally a left centre by trade anyway so another huge tick in the recruitment box.



Which players are these? Where is the evidence that Leeds have faith in them so far in 2009? This time last season (Round 13) Leeds were missing Toopi, Smith, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Lauitiiti, Bailey and Kirke. On Friday Leeds had arguably their first choice squad available + Bailey. It would be interesting to see what sort of team Leeds could put out with a random seven players missing as there were this time last season.



Leeds earned the right to defend their WCC title in 2009 and failed to do so successfully.



Why choose ten years when you could have chosen eleven? If you'd have gone for twelve you'd have also found the last time Leeds failed to reach the 5th round. Why aren't Leeds successful in the Challenge Cup anyway?



This squad have so far failed to make any welcome history so far this season and without something changes the chances (like the weather on Friday) are not looking that bright.



The same squad minus Ellis, Scruton, Toopi and Tansey (of which Toopi, Ellis and Scruton played a role in the GF/'s)

With the welcome addition of Buderus but that makes Diskin's role in the team confusing to say the least.

Let's hope they all stay fit this year.

yes, but he was insinuating being a cheerleader for GH was something negative. It would be hard to argue that his stewardship of the club has been anything but an unmitigated success.


You tell me, I am sure you know

As if. You obviously then do not know he hates Leeds.

I agree with tvoc about the Diskin issue completely. Buderus looks the classic 80 minute hooker to me, and there's no doubt we've been poorer when he's gone off in the last few weeks. This isn't a criticism of Disko, who IMO has been one of our most consistent players over the years. But I am starting to think an extra big forward on the bench rather than an interchange hooker may be the way forward.