I can't see Clough going. The club did a player review of him last week on the site and he's in the team photo. Why bother if he's leaving?

I am sure someone will think of a reason and put Club down - again.
Thought he was great last season, never took backward step.

Agree, I d be very disappointed if Cloughie were to leave.

Especially as I've just been up to Odsal for my 2016 cap.....

One tweet suggests that the offer was quite recent so maybe they were genuinely expecting him to stay.

Can't say that I'd blame him for wanting a move if such an offer came in. Plus the club might be looking for a quick cash injection in the form of a transfer fee.

Marc Green came out and said OB wasn't going anywhere when the rumours circulated about him, but nothing about Clough or Fergie so perhaps with the strength in depth they might be willing to do a deal.

No proof that this is the case, but as an outsider looking in, I'd not be surprised if it were to be the case.

Well he's contracted, so technically we can simply say hands off and be stubborn.
In addition to that, losing a prop two weeks before the start of the season would not leave us much time to find a replacement.
Also, the rumour only seems to be coming from one end of the deal so far - ours. Usually with something like this, fans of the other club involved start hearing things too, but there's nothing on any of the other boards.

The frustrating thing is that in Sidlow, Clough and Kavanagh we could actually have 3 really good props. Walker is probably pick of the others for 4th right now. It would be typical for it to be ruined by a late approach from a SL club.

He's also just been tagged in a tweet from the bulls regarding our first home game so I'm just going to assume he's staying with us.

From the props we had playing yesterday, the only one who didn't do himself any favours was Fleming. Same sort of input in the 15minutes or so that he had as he did for most of last season. Even Lauaki put himself about more than I have been used to.

The new guys all had a good debut. Especially the 2 youngsters. Lots to be pleased about with that.

Hope Clough is staying but I wouldn't be surprised if a club like Hudders was interested given they're looking a bit light and have cap space.

I'd be disappointed if he went having supported him in his testimonial. Going mid contract cheapens that I think.

I'd also be disappointed if Clough did leave now. While you could understand it, I'd rather him at least see out his contract. If we failed to get promoted and he goes elsewhere next year, no hard feelings at all, despite not wanting him to go.

If he was to go now though, it would be interesting to see who drove it. Would it be more the player wanting to leave, or the club wanting to cash in on him while they can? If it's the latter, hard to bag Clough for moving.


As far as yesterday's game went, I thought it was promising. Sidlow & Kavanagh looked very good. I wasn't quite as impressed with Thomas as some seem to have been, but he certainly showed some promise. Be interesting to see how the players go this coming Sunday though when I've got a better view. Sometimes difficult to judge from behind the sticks at Headingley as you can't always see what's going on down the other end. Not with my ageing eyes anyway!

I Leeds supporting friend of mine was saying Sidlow impressed. He also mentioned that Halafihi went well when he came on which is just what we need if we're going to spell O'B.

How did Lumb and Ryan go on?

Thought Lumb went well considering it was his first professional game and up against the treble winners too. Was very busy and tackled well. Ryan I can comment on as he was on opposite wing to where I was stood so can't really say how he went.

I thought Joe Lumb looked very promising. His coaches spoke highly of him at the member pass event, specifically on his work ethic.

It showed too, big change from the lad who played at West Bowling, bet his dad was proud as punch on Sunday.

Ryan.. Hard to tell. Looked to be struggling for fitness and gasping for breath.

Just as I thought he wasn't geting involved - he did!

Couple of handy runs and one hell of a pass from mid field to wing! Good physique too.

Definitely a better showing than the same game last year.

Reports in Aus suggest Huddersfield are close too signing a NRL prop.

Couldn't agree more on Sidlow, I thought he was outstanding in the first half before he went off. Looked every bit as good as Leeds' top class props. Got Bulls' best player vote from Phil Caplan in League Express too, and rightly so.

Agree too on Halafihi. I've numerous times mentioned on here I don't think he's good enough, but he showed up well in the game time he got against Leeds. Much better than anything he did in a Bulls shirt last season. I'm starting to doubt my original assessment.

Ethan Ryan didn't have to do a whole lot, so hard to judge. Joe Lumb though looked very lively when he came on. A lot of little scoots from dummy half, making a few yards before he passed the ball. Impressive for a young lad who was playing in the first team for the first time against a good side.

Ryan has always been like that. He looks like he is a dead man walking and then suddenly runs the length of the field or makes a wonder tackle.
I've never been quite sure whether he puts it on to throw the opposition, whether he just has that open mouthed look that makes you look knackered or whether he actually is knackered and puts in the extra effort despite being knackered.