Erm Cummins wasn't a bad player for a few years before Senior's arrival. At 17 he looked very good, and continued to do pretty well for quite a while. He never quite became the player he could have been, but that's not too uncommon with Leeds players unfortunately.

As for players off contract, I suspect GH will be looking at the bigger picture in terms of what needs to happen over the next few years, not just next year. I wouldn't be too surprised if there are a number of changes next year and for several following. What is incredible when compared to the past is how many of our squad have been together for a long time.

What we desperately need to avoid is having half the team leave/hit terminal decline at the same time. We have a few older players now, but we also have a bunch of players in their late 20s. Just as an example, you do not want to have to replace both Burrow and McGuire at the same time.

As for Senior, Diskin etc, whilst I used to admire the ruthless way the old Wigan side used to discard players even slightly over the hill and replace them with new stars, we are not in that world. We know that a number of our players could earn more elsewhere, but have stayed because they are loyal to the club and their mates. It's probably corny and out-dated but I think the club has - and should continue to - show loyalty in return.

I do hope Senior doesn't try to play on too long though. I'd like to leave it to him to decide, but I don't want to see him play on too long and tarnish the memory of just how good he has been. As for his replacement, well I'd give Watkins first go.

I'd agree. I know he's a prop and all, but come on.

He needs to lose the gut and gain upper body muscle, his upper body looks too soft as well. We're into the season now so he won't be able to start changing his physique until the off season, we're stuck with him like that.

IMO we should not renew his contract and get someone from the NRL. Same type as wigan with Maguire.

That's not a slight on McClennan I just feel it would be the right time to freshen things up, as this could well end a pretty poor season. It could end a good one, and if it did McClennan would leave a god and we'd have someone new come in which would help us stay one step ahead of the competition.

In terms of players, can't believe people are suggesting we let diskin go and retain buderus. Short termism or what? Let buderus go, keep diskin.

Retain bailey.

Senior, just retire mate. Do your body a favour.

Donald retain if possible, but don't break the bank remember we have smith and hall.

Ali - Ali is a potnetial match winner, but all too often he seems to be carrying niggling injuries and we rarely seem to get a good consistent run out of him in the team. Though maybe that's my imagination. TVOC? I think we could use the money he's on to get much better value which would benefit the team overall.

If we let ali donald and buderus go, as well as not renewing McClennan's contract we'll have quota spots and money galore to get the right players in, hopefully some whizzkid as coach from aus to bring in fresh ideas, and we'll be ready to win super league again.

replacing senior is dependant on who we can replace him with. Shenton is no better than Senior and would likely be looking for wages in excess of Senior. Plus Shenton requires a much bigger commitment and is a much bigger risk, a 3/4 year contract for a player yet to really hit the big time is much riskier than a 1 year deal for Keith. If its an either or choice between Keith and a real marquee centre from Aus, then yes, look at letting him go. But whilst its a choice between him and and a more expensive player at a similar level then keep him as long as he wants

as for Ali, yes he is inconsistent throughout the season, but consistently good at the business end. He is the best impact forward in the league, plain and simple, he offers us something no-one else does and he does it at the right time. As a Leeds fan who has seen us spend years watching players fall at the final hurdle, im not upset we have a player who revels in the big games

While not disagreeing with the general gist of what you're saying its also worth noting that Cummins had Craig Innes as his centre from his debut in 1993 and in 1994, 1995 and the first few games of 1996; he also had Brad Godden in 1998 and 1999, immediately prior to Senior's arrival.

Who from the NRL and why?

If he somehow manages to win the GF this year why would you want to lose a coach with 3 championships from 3 years service?

2 out of 3 could hardly be described as shabby either.

(McGuire has won sweet FA at the moment - so let's not have him as a blueprint for a new coach. Also, is it just me, but does he look like an obnoxious pr**k you want to slap?)

Which year was it he started at stand-off, got shifted around to full back and ended up back on the wing? Was that 1997?

This is true and I think I was hasty in my opinion on McClennan's future. I trust Hetherington will make the right decision as his recent record in that respect is pretty damn good.

McClennan has an excellent record at getting teams up for the most important games of the season. When iut's been do or die for the title, we haven't stuttered. Wether he can work his magic again from a lower position in the playoffs we'll have to see.

Thanks for posting it saved me typing the same opinion, it is a bit sad you have to get this far down a thread for someone to have some faith

1996 IIRC.

On the question of new contracts, this is how I see it:

Definitely retain: Diskin, Bailey, Lauitiiti, Ambler

Retain if affordable or fit under quota: Donald, Buderus (I always expected both to move on after this season anyway)

Let go: Senior, Worrall

Don't know: Manning (haven't seen enough of him)

On the question of McClennan, I think he should be offered a new deal for another year or two. Change for change's sake might not be a good thing, especially if a new coach wants to bring in his own players that could sow discord in what appears to be a happy and settled squad. It's not like McClennan hasn't been successful - the last thing we would want is for him to go to another SL club (Bradford for example).

Agree with the point but not necessarily with your example. Both are fairly atypical in the way they perform their roles and I can foresee difficulties for whoever comes in and is expected to play alongside either of them. As a pair they tend to function well (in general). Split them up and one or both might well struggle.

Yep, definitely 1996.

He had squad number 1 (IIRC or was that 1997 when Damian Gibson was 5?) and I think the intention was to play him as full back but '96 being '96 that never came to pass. I actually thought it would have proved his best position at least in terms of attacking play.

I think he may have been injured a fair bit that year too.

He was also number 1 in 2002 and maybe 2003 I think