I couldn't agree more. I have stopped posting on here as if you have a positive view you get shot down, not just a differing opinion argument which would be fine. I do still read and peruse the forum looking to see if I can pick up any titbits but the toxicity is killing it for me

I think the negativity does stem from a deep care for Leeds, I get that part. But yes it's pretty boring when every single thread gets overtaken by doom mongering and criticism.

The next recruitment cycle is really key. Personally, I can wear a couple of mistakes but with the commercial strength of the club relative to others now, I think the top brass are going to bite the bullet and invest more in some key areas. Last year was the major surgery, this year should be fine tuning with 2-3 really high quality additions. Yes we need some luck with injuries (although RS said himself the best indicator for future injuries is past ones, which makes Fus and Mom interesting decisions...)... but whatever people think about the coaching, that squad isn't a champion squad just yet IMO.

Signing one new prop won't be enough, because it would leave us one injury (or even just a spell off the pitch for a breather) away from where we are now. In an ideal world we need two and also a more physical second rower. Can't see that happening as the only quota spot we're likely to get is if Fusitu'a leaves, and I doubt we could get a decent British prop without laying out more dough for a fee.

A prop rotation of New Worldy plus Oledski, Holroyd, Lisone, Sangare, TNW, Hudson if he's retained - isn't a terrible depth for SL and is still a big upgrade on what we have this year.

Two would be ideal, don't get me wrong, but we might be robbing Peter to pay Paul, because I think the second row would need to be very good too. Both need to be quota players I think, and would depend on what Martin does and possibly Frawley too.

Two genuinely big and dynamic props, Ackers, another big OS back rower to partner McDonnell, Smith at the back would be a nice step towards a more dominant middle - but any new signings have to come with a high skill level now, I am sick of our errors and it doesn't matter how big we are if we cough up possession.

Don’t forget we don’t need a quota spot for a french player or two!

Anyone you recommend?

That guy that smokes cigarettes whilst playing at full back, Puig Albert i think his name is!.

In all seriousness I don’t know who’s available

I think the worry for me is how long the rebuild is taking and how many poor coaching appointments GH has made over those years each bringing in their players.
Other teams that we were beating such as the Wigans, Saints, Wire, Catalans, HKR etc have all managed to rebuild in half the time we have and considering we are probably another year or two away still.
Smith has brought in a couple maybe 3 decent players with the rest average at best and disastrous at worse.
What`s to say he does the same next year only to find we are still rebuilding and still sitting 6th or 7th in the League.
GH eventually gets rid and we start our rebuild again.
That probably gets us to what 10/12 years of rebuilding which for our club with our supporters is not good enough when the aforementioned maintain their position in the top 4.

Think saying it’s only a couple of decent players smith has brought in is a tad harsh.

The squad needed a total rebuild you aren’t going to rebuild it in 2 years without misfiring on some of the players in a salary cap sport.

Retention for this year has been poor I will 100% agree on that.

That`s what I mean Chris.
Due to GH appointing the "wrong" coach over a number of years and now we have Smith who needs another 2 years with his players brought in it takes us nearer to the 10 year mark to rebuild.
Players such as Miller and Frawley don`t fill me with the confidence we have the right players in key positions.
What`s to say the next 2 or 3 that come in are similar?
Granted they might be Croft standard but we will have to wait to see.
Nice to see you back on here btw mate.

Ah ok, yes I agree about the mismanagement of coaching appointments, which is why I don’t want Smith sacked mid season.

Just on Miller, I’m a big fan, he’s exciting and entertaining to watch, and I go to the rugby for entertainment, personally i can forgive some of his brain farts because he’s relatively in experienced and will get better, but he’s a player that makes you excited when he gets the ball.

Totally get why some would see it differently though, especially after Catalans as he had a shocker.

Ironically this is where I am critical of RS. This is a player making the same kind of tactical mistakes as in pre-season. Stop him kicking the ball unless it’s an attacking kick in good ball.

I don't want to see Smith sacked mid season unless an clearly better option can be brought into replace him. I have lost confidence in his ability to get the best out of the side he has assembled though. He deserves credit for turning round the dire start to 22 and overseeing the best rugby we'd seen in some time. Think we all expected to see a bit more structure and defensive toughness in 23, but that obviously didn't manifest, and this year with more of his own picks, we look no better. I think he looks and sounds increasingly lost. On the recruitment side I think it has to be two props. Bouquet was mentioned last week and he is out of contract. Land him and Papali and we really shouldn't have to take a step back from anyone, but only with a coach who values prop forwards at the helm.

Totally agree. Wouldn’t sack smith now unless there’s a serious chance of bringing in a much better option, however smith’s recruitment of players has been more miss than hit and I do worry about his ability to squad build to get us to the required level. We were expecting a top 5 top 4 finish no doubt, as I think was GH.

Off the top of my head Sangare, Frawley, Mom, Goudamond, Olpherts, retention of Fusi and Bentley have been really poor business. Croft Ackers good business. He’s not improving many of the current players either, oldeszki has gone backwards imo.

We’re 11 games into a 27 game season we could still be top 4/5 by the end.

There’s still a lot to happen this season and tgat could include a decent run of form.