Nobody on here has any idea about the abilities, or not, of the coaching staff. Lowes has been recommended by countless players for his work as an assistant and there's no reason to think Furner isn't going to be happy with the team he inherits - Sinfield has had plenty of chance to change it with the other backroom moves but has decided not to.

I have seen nothing from lowes record to suggest he is an above average coach. I have seen nothing from his time at Leeds to suggest he is an above average coach.

I don't know him. I have never played under him but I'm pretty sure him and Chev are nobody's idea of a dream team.

If Furner stays past the first year I would expect to see changes in his support staff.

If Sinfield wanted to get rid of Lowes, Walker, Burrow from the coaching staff he would have done.
If he wanted to move on the likes of JJB and Ablett he would have done that too.
He either thinks they have something to offer or he is doing them a favour.
He also sees something in Sutcliffe that I have yet to see.
But it is on his head now so let`s see if he is right.

Wayne Bennett seems to rate Lowes, but I’m sure all the experts on here know better.

Well if Wayne has brought him in for a three match series he must be the man to pull Leeds up by the boot straps thoughout the next three seasons then.

Find me one fan who is genuinely pleased to have lowes on the coaching staff. That doesn't mean it isn't right, we are just fans. But as an outsider looking in we have a pretty uninspiring support staff for Furner which undeniably smells of jobs for the boys.

It may be a bootroom style masterstroke, who knows. But I maintain most people are underwhelmed.

Sorry mis read! And I couldn’t agree more!

You seem to speak for most people and all fans. Could you provide some proof please?

Just read the posts about lowes or the posts from when McDermott was sacked and lowes brought in.

Lowes's record as an assistant involves three grand final wins. He wasn't involved in 2016. I don't know what people are expecting to see from him. Speak to the players, not the fans.

He was involved in 2016. He was involved towards the end of the season, and before the bottom eights. Suddenly the team started playing.

no idea if he's a good coach. he was a crap head coach but that's a whole different game.
anyway furner will call the shots no doubt

Indeed, his head coach resume is not pretty. Binned by Warrington very quickly, a year at Carnegie, a couple of years at a relegated Bradford.

He may have been at clubs when they have won things but you can't say how much of those trophy wins were down to him. Given his lack of success as a head coach I, personally, just me, in my own single opinion, would suggest he really isn't good enough.

We will see this time next year whether Furner makes his own changes.

I’ve got no idea if James Lowes is a good coach or not. He comes across as a bit of a knob whenever I’ve seen him interviewed, but he might think the same about me if we met.

I remember he used to hate Leeds when he played for Hunslet, and again when he played for the Bulls. I’m ambivalent about him being in the coaching team now. Furner will get whoever he wants in due course.

Oledzki went well for the knights this morning, fantastic workrate and some good charges, best forward on the pitch for me. Handley was pretty good at up against Nene McDonald, he went off injured after setting up Walkers try, looked like a head knock. Apart from the try, Walker had one of them games where nothing went right, he'l want to forget that one in a hurry.

I agree, Oledzki wouldn't have played a game in at least 6-8 weeks and in that heat & humidity I thought he was really strong. Hard to believe he is still only 19.
What a great experience for him and the team.
Walker made a few errors and looked a bit rusty but he'll be fine, he's class imo.

Was it shown on our league in the end?

I watched it on the PNG kumuls facebook page, looks like the game was on someones tv and they recorded the game from there onto there phone and uploaded it lol. As you can imagine, it wasnt great quality, but it was watchable and no buffering atall. Its still on there now, first and second halfs are on seperate links on there page.

People forget how young Oledski and Walker are. We've 2 exceptional talents there along with a few others.

Things looked bleak last season but they aren't as bleak as people think.

A team is only as good as it’s weakest links, and we’ve been carrying too many. Injuries were also a major part of how bad this year was.
If we have half the starting first team injured again in 2019 we’ll struggle again.
If we don’t get Merrin, I really hope we still manage the +1 or 2 in the pack before season starts. Hope to see more of Holroyd, Trout and maybe Johnson next year.

If most teams lose half the starting line up they would struggle.

Don't see much in Trout if I am honest, he needs to improve a lot to be anywhere near 1st team for me.

I agree, but I still think our biggest signing is Furner, I reckon some underperforming players could get a new lease of life under him. Good coaching and confidence is a big factor.

Ive been reading elsewhere that Merrin feels like he's being pushed into signing for Leeds . Hope this isnt true ,but I remembef Lee Crooks signing for us when his heart wasnt in it

Now Bennett is officially taking over at Souths next season I can see Merrin going there anyway. Penrith are pushing him out apparently but not necessarily to Super League.

Can't really understand us chasing him and offering him a huge deal to be honest. It's strong running back rowers we badly need. Not sure what role Merrin would fill.

Yes I rememeber the look of upset on Crooks face when he was paraded in press conference. He looked devastated to be leaving Hull. That said I thought he was cracking player during his time at Leeds.

We need committed players, especially in the pack. If he doesn't want to come we should be looking elsewhere or it's just another Segeyaro / Eastwood mess