I think most people appreciated his contribution by the time he left. Yes, he copped some unfair stick in his time here, but lets not pretend he was pulling up any trees in his first year either.

Surely if there is an adulation of anything foreign and exotic that would have been in evidence despite his poor form and most fans would have come out in defence of him from the off?

I think the 'anything foreign' thing doesnt apply to the signing of Buderus, he is world class. At the time of him signing Leeds only realistic option at 9 was Diskin with McShane not ready in terms of his development. Diskin has been a solid player and integral to Leeds success but not world class or even England rep level. Buderus has taken time to settle, given injury ect, but hes not performed badly, his performances lately were always going to come and Leeds are blessed to have him in the team.

Had Leeds had the opportunity to sign say Lockyer at that time i think its something a top club could not dismiss regardless of the 'steady' player they may replace, or share the role with. I know that DBs role in the development of McShane and Diskin has been an influence which is silly to think otherwise. Toopi is a steady player in the NRL and fair play to him for getting a second chance to restart his career, really good bloke.
For leeds fans to want him back really does tick the anything foreign box!...How old is Brad Godden these days?

Oh and Gareth.....the' dont wanna know!!

I've no problem with the way Buderus has been playing (when he's been fit). I don't agree Leeds are "blessed" to have him. Leeds were doing Ok without him and whilst he's played very well he's not yet an integral player for us. Never has been. Saturday was a fine game from him but he wasn't the main man.

Of course Leeds should consider it BUT it's a team sport and would a couple of seasons marvelling at Lockyers skills be better than several years consistent success with Mcguire playing an integral part? It's not fantasy football.

He's certainly influenced the time each get to spend in the first team and not in a positive way so I fail to see the tangible benefits of this. maybe further down the road with McShane possibly but all it's done for Diskin, in reality, is stunt his career.

icon_smile.gif I did the "action" at my desk when I read that out!

Buderus - a far better player than Diskin (stating the obvious there) but an expensive luxury and an irrational and unnecessary signing triggered by doubts over Diskin's fitness and long term prospects. The irrational element is replacing one player hampered by doubts over his long term fitness prospects with another player hampered by doubts over his long term fitness prospects. Enter the spin machine marketing the Buderus signing as the implementation of an astute two hooker rotation policy.

Toopi - manifestly shafted whilst at Leeds. A natural left centre signed to plug vacancy at right centre due to reluctance of notorious eBay seller to vacate his position and switch sides simply because he doesn't want to. Consequently, Toopi struggles with the attacking side of his play as player seniority kicked in and got it's own way. Leeds therefore never got the best out of Toopi.

Smae happens with Hall. Hall is a real asset on the wing. he's big and quick. He'd be more of a plodder in the second row. Leave him on the wing, unless his pace drops off, and his hands get better

With the 1 year contact extensions of several players including bluey, IMO this fits in nicely with the arrival of our next coach which I am certain will be Brian McDermott. I honestly think Ryan Hall could be groomed into a world class centre he has everthing in is armoury potentially. Watkins and Hall would be the next generation at headingly for the next 10 years. Wingers are easier to pick up these days but centres are not. ;Look at Tom Briscoe at Hull he looks another top quality centre prospect in the making. IMO of course. Full back is also an interesting area with BJB back next year apparently this offers more full back options. Personally I would give BJB another 12 months on loan to bulk up and gain more experience until Webb retires at the end of next season. The agument against this may be that BJB could learn off Webb as McShane would from Buderus. Personally I would sign a top Quality Prop who is an enforcer, I think this would take off the strain from an aging Kylie and Jaimie who can be rested a little more then. We have loads of second rowers knocking about and both delany and senior can switch if need be allowing smith in the centre so we are not wasting Donald in some games

You know your onions Keith. A welcome addition to this forum shag.

You guys

Enjoy one of the world's greatest whilst it lasts: you know it makes sense.

While I agree that Toopi probably was a left sided centre when he signed for Leeds so was Senior and he was also the player in possession for the past 7 years.

Whichever player was asked to move across to fill the vacancy at right centre would have found themselves stiffed by the club. Senior was entirely correct IMO to hang on to his side of the pitch.

If Leeds required a right sided player why did they sign a leftie? Other than the usual, 'because he was available at short notice.'

Another case of trying to make a square peg fit into a round hole.

I know, what were they thinking asking Toopi to play left centre. Such shocking management almost took the gloss off the two championshis we won in Toopi's two full years at the club.

Except they didn't ask him to play left centre.

IIRC Toopi unexpectedly became available late in 2006 and Leeds took a punt on an out of sorts, out of favour player.

It wasn't a disaster by any means but he wasn't an improvemnt on the outgoing player either, who had also run aground in his final season at Headingley. Shame.

Toopi wasn't a right centre. Had he have been then perhaps Leeds would have done even better, in a St Helens or Bradford type dominant season.

What's the obsession with turning centres into second rowers & wingers into centres?

How about players like Pitts & Ambler playing second row?