At the time Jones-Bishop was seen as a full-back and being groomed as the natural successor to Webb so I wouldn't muddy the waters with his or Watkins ability to cover wing. All three played very effectively in their respective positions at Academy level and often did so in the same team. Without wishing to go over old ground (these discussions have taken place on here enough already, IMO) the choice appeared to lay somewhere between extending Donald's contract for 12 months and accomodating Broughton's degree course studies in Doncaster.

My view (purely from a distance) was that Leeds lost a potential future International and retained a player whose star was on the wane but who had just been removed from the overseas quotas which were allegedly tightening. Sometimes, if not always, there is more to making these decisions than meets the supporters eye. For me it was a case of history repeating itself (Cummins - Raynor) but who knows the whys and wherefores - not me that's for sure.

Did Broughton play for Salford at Headingley a few weeks ago?

I don't have problem with your beliefs, it's just you post them and post them and post them until we are all fed up with listening. You almost don't have to contribute to any thread because we already know what your stance is.

Nantwich the post where our tell us out have never seen d smith play just tells me everything. They way you go on I wold have thought you were his dad.

There won't be any new signings until Hetherington's sorted things out behind the scenes.

What are those then BE?

Heard last night (from a usually good source) that the departure of Webb has been a bit messy behind the scenes. There's been a few ructions and stuff needs sorting out between some senior players and the coaching staff.

Coach and some senior players need to go anyway, so who cares.

Really what you see with things like that, is the downside of having a nucleus of players for a long period of time. The control of team affairs seems to move away from where it should be. Player power is a bummer.

Yes, keeping this nucleus of players has been an absolute disaster hasn't it........

Deary me, you get worse.

Did I say that?

Learn to read, or don't contribute. Simple really.

With you, it's never clear what you mean with what you type. Sometimes we have to part the fog.

Go on then, what did you mean by "downside of having a nucleus of players for a long period of time" and "player power is a bummer". Please, explain yourself.

To be honest the last 2 seasons have stunk of player power. First Seniors acrimonious departure, now Webbs. Does anyone know if Webb is really injured?

Danny Buderus autobiography went into detail of how Brian Smith was given the unenviable job of disassembling/rebuilding the Newcastle Knights squad, which was a similar squad to ours (in terms of number of through the ranks players) It would appear McDermott has been given a similar remit, with some of the senior players not liking seeing their buddies moved on.

Good luck Brian, as much as we all appreciate what this team has done for Leeds RL, we can't allow them to dictate how the club moves forward. Big changes ahead me thinks - its a good job Brian McD is no quitter, I'm sure many would have jumped already!

I don't really need to explain myself to you, but as I am a generous forgiving person I shall oblige good sir.

I simply meant what I said, a group of players together for a long time would resist changes in their group (this is no different in any everyday form). A sense of control sets in and they will resist.

Would you swap that potential problem for the success achieved? No you bloody wouldn't. But you still have to deal with the issues when they arrive. Small changes over a longer peirod of course reduces the potential of that problem having an impact. But should it happen it's a bummer.