I am surprised at Diskin leaving Leeds but on the other hand it is a good signing for us, interesting to see the amount of quality players who have signed for us considering how poor we have been for the past few years not that I am complaining just what we need to stuff the opposition next season.

I'm very pleased with this signing. Can see him being the starting hooker with L'estrange reverting to the job as impact bench hooker. Hood's comments in the T&A piece suggest all three (Godwin, Diskin, L'Estrange) will be staying which can only be a benefit.

The squad and team in general looks a lot more solid with strong competition for places. The thing I want to see a return to is us being a team that is extremely hard to beat. Last season there were far too many walk in tries and periods of lacklustre defending.

I think the squad at present is looking like it might deliver that. Players will be eager to impress their new coach and cement a starting spot.

The key is the halves now. If we get a couple of players that are great at unlocking defences we might have a great blend on our hands!

I agree with most of that, can't see Godwin being utilised at Loose though with Donaldson, Langley and possibly Addy in line for that position.

don't want to see langley used a loose forward. he's much more effective in 2nd row imo. Agree about addy and donaldson long term, just dont think there quite ready physically to hold the spot down for a whole season yet. Think godwin or royston could offer us something a bit different there. We've certainly got plenty of options in terms of squad rotation this year which we havent had the benefit of for a few years. Nice problem for potter to have.

Spot on that.

I'm happy with this signing, onto the halves now please messers Hood and Potter...

While none of them are top drawer, superstar signings, it's difficult to argue that any of them don't strengthen the position they play.

As it stands (with another 2 or 3 still rumored to be coming in), I'm more than happy with the squad assembled so far for 2011

So far..Elima, Diskin, Royston, Hargreaves and i believe Ainscough..We are taking a punt on Walker and Raynor (hopefully they will come good)..Sibbit has been signed as cover and i can't coment on Ah Van as i've not seen him play..

If we can now bring in a steady Scrum Half along with Leon Pryce i'd say as a squad we look strong..

Would'nt you?

Godwin at loose?
Nobody can be serious about that cant they?

He's a mediocre hooker, and crap anywhere else.

what attributes do you see as esential to a loose forward? Langley is a hard worker but he has not got the hands or speed of thought to make a strong loose forward. donaldson is the most natural loose forward we have but speed,guile good hands and the ability to tackle way above his weight and rarely miss a tackle would stand godwin in good stead to do a good job there.

Addy is the nearest thing we have to the classic loose forward.

Langley hasn't the skills, Godwin hasn't either and is too small, Donaldson still needs to bulk up.

Agree about Addy.
I think the classic LF is a thing of the past though now, but Addy still has the potential to be the next long term loose at the club.

I'm still happy with Langley there, he does an excellent job all over the backrow, he's mobile, makes lots of ground, hardworking and doesnt miss that often. They IMO are the attributes of a modern LF. Having said that, I think Langley plays better to a more structured role in the second row, and would prefer to see him there. I just think the backrow would be better balanced with Elima, Whitehead in front and Langers locking up.

Addy to come on for any at any time with a bit of re-shuffling.

I agree.

I do however think that Potter will give Hall a chance in the backrow too.

BTW when I say classic loose forward I mean in the Phil Clarke/Paul Sculthorpe mould rather than the Harry Pinner/Dave Heron mould.

That's more what I expected from the Leeds fans (and I'm sure most will feel this way) as he's been a great servant, he's still a good player, but everybody has to move on at sometime and the deal seems right for all parties.

Although I considered a fallout at headingley may be true, the more I think about it I don't think that's the case.

Leeds have a top quality hooker able to play 80 minutes if needed, with 2 good young hookers coming through. After all he's put into his career, and his commitment, the Rhinos have done a good thing which will work out best for all 3 parties.




I think Gary Hetherington deserves some credit for what he's said here, and I like it that he's mentioned the "Bulls revival" too.