I was thinking that the recent flush of signings reminded me of the Laughton era, or at least the year we brought in Clyde, Mullins, Carroll and Mears... 2000?

How long is it since opposition fans have sung 'what a waste of money' to a Leeds team? Or even our own fans? [that would have been appropriate last season, perhaps I missed that not going to games any more]

I'm more optimistic than many who have posted on this thread already, but at the same time I think there's scope for a lot to go wrong with so many changes to both the coaching team and the playing roster.

We should expect a return to the top half of the table, or better, although it may take them a few weeks to gel. Hopefully any potential dissent over players leaving and having to accept different roles in the team can be minimised. Plenty to look forward to - in terms of the new signings, how existing players respond to the new regime, and younger players coming through.

I always remember that day, it was sooo hot. Bonnie Tyler pre match ent and an old dean bell nearly catching a young franny C!! Great game, we were nearly there....but back in those days we all got used to a 200 miles very silent return trip home!!

I’ll always remember that day/weekend, was the first time I went to Wembley with my dad (now sadly not with us) to watch Leeds in a final, he buggered off to get a pint a couple of minutes before Offiah scored so never saw it!

Thankfully we both went to Wembley in 99 so got to see them win a trophy together but he left us in 2001 (aged 49) so unfortunately never got to see the team from 2004 onwards - such a shame as he woukd have loved every minute watching the side we have had for 13+ years

Roll on next season. Cant wait. Well done Kev n Gary.

Don't worry Christopher,your dad will have made every tackle,kicked the goals and scored the tries.!
Keep smiling Go the Rhinos 2019

Ditto.

I think the rebuild has some way to go yet so I think you'll finish 6-9th (which is an improvement nonetheless). There's still a lack of power up front, especially in the front row. Where's the player that consistently makes 100m+ in every game? (difficult to replace Peacock but the gap is clear) Where's the impact prop off the bench that can turn things your way with some big carries? (Garbutt was the nearest you had). I think you're 2 props short of a top 5 finish.

I'd be careful bringing youngsters into a team that might struggle at times. Could ruin them. You can't expect those players to win you games. They're a bonus if they come through. It's the 1st teamers that need to raise their game.

The halfbacks are going to be a new combo too so it won't be champagne rugby from the off. There will be a new coach "bounce" but expect it to be tough at times.

With an excellent Ozzy coach and strong management team backing Furner I would expect to be in the mix after an initial settling period of say 4 games to be in with a really positive first season like CC semi &/or top 4 in playoffs.

I would expect Furner to want at least that and for me personally I would like us to at least give Cas a game home and away being our bogey team and my dream is seeing our new Overseas players charging at Hardaker when we play Wigan and trampling him into the ground like a rag doll

A good assessment that.

I will say one of my hopes for 2019 is for a strong Bulls side to make a oush to get back to SL as I think it would be great to have them back. I don’t know much about the squad but is this likely at all?

All fair points though I'm hopeful we can get into the 5. We may yet sign that 100m player and even if we don't then improvements to fitness and conditioning which last year were - to quote Mick Morgan - diabolical might mean we can wring those extra metres from others.

Win more than we lose against Castleford!!!

I think everyone agrees re. the pack, and front row in particular. Singleton and Crosby are solid but not spectacular: Oledzki is a year or two off still yet but has a part to play. Peteru needs to play somewhere, possibly prop. Couple of very good young prospects coming up after Oledzki from the academy. Deffo need at least one more impact prop (which the club has recognised the need for, if rumours are true).

However, I'm going to be positive and suggest Leeds will offload the players needed to bring in the quality prop, before the start of next season. Of course everything depends on injuries again, but with the prop in place I still think Leeds will be right back up there again. Myler and Lolohea are experienced halves who've played to a high level, I don't expect them to take ages to perform. As soon as we get a competitive/dominant pack together, the halves and backline should cause problems for most teams. It's not often a SL side has had such a massive overhaul in one off season as Leeds have just had, it's going to be almost impossible to predict how they'll go but I'm pretty confident they'll be out of the bottom half of the table no matter what.

Glad to see we are off loading dead wood, or in the process of doing so and have made a few good signings.new coach and a bit of a fresher feel about things at last. I'm looking forward to a season again for the first time in god knows how long,and intrigued to see what style and approach to games Furner takes.

Overall if we can get another strong front rower in i see no reason with that squad we can't push for a play off spot, we have probably the best centre pairing in the league so hopefully we can get the best out of them.

I think a big key for our season is down to how Watkins comes back from such a bad injury and can Stevie Ward stay fit. If both those are positive we can go well.

Wigan have lost some top players but always seem to fill gaps well. Saints have lost Barba but have recruited better than anyone in my opinion and are the team to beat. Cas and Wire will be challenging but we won't be far off.

Just hope we play a better brand of rugby. I want to leave The Emerald on match days having enjoyed it which is something I can't say I have for a long time.

The Emerald. Arrrrgggghhh boulderdash.
FWIW I think we’re one decent prop away from being contenders this year. Contenders for silverware that it