Reffy I agree anyone who knows me will know the players in the Leigh team I don't think are up to playing SL on a regular basis ,again your quote of Blind Optimism is true , for me we would need around 5 class additions to our current Squad to compete in SL,you only have to look at some of the so called weaker teams in SL who have some class players yet still are classed as weaker teams,I to think we have the players to beat Salford in a one off game but to compete week in week out we need a few class players.But I think both Paul R and Derek both know this and will act.

If I were a SL scout looking at Leigh id be looking at players in the age category of 22-26/27 and IMO we have the following young talents who could quite easily slot in to a SL side and realistically stay there for the next 5 years or so......................

Kes
Armstrong
Kay
Barlow

I also believe Tom Spencer and is young enough to get back up there and stay there if he can recapture the consistent performance levels he showed prior to his injury and whilst on DR from Wigan.

Hoppy fits the bill and I believe he will get his chance to play SL at some point weather that be back at Wigan or with ourselves.

The first year in SL we would need continuity so id be keeping as much of the current starting 17 together as possible and maybe trim the squad and add 5/6 top quality SL class players with the additional cap money SL brings.

Id be lining up in SL 2016 as follows something like as follows........

1. Greg
2. SL/ NRL winger
3. SL/ NRL winger
4. Armstrong
5. Kay
6. Kes
7. Riddy or SL/NRL Half
8. Moi Moi
9. Scotty Moore or other SL/NRL Nine
10. Hock
11. Dixon
12. Goulden
13. Barlow

14. SL/NRL Prop
15. Hopkins
16. Penky
17. Spencer

as someone who has winced through Aspinwall, Emmitt and Walker playing SL, i'd say the OP was well off the mark. the core of the Leigh side has the quality though.

This threads a lot like Alan Hansen’s 1995 quote “You can’t win anything with kids”

Lets trust in Fergie.

As always Andy your finger is on the Pulse you know what it takes.SRW 1996 knows.

Reffy, in the nicest possible way, keep your snout out, pal.

And the length of time anyone has been posting on here is completely irrelevant to anything. I am entitled to have an opinion, put my views forward and ask questions, just the same as anyone else on here - regardless as to whether it's my 1st post or my 1000th.

Aye, and so do supporters of other clubs but you seem to find it strange that they should want to.

The point I was making is that some of these supporters are regular, good contributors and we shouldn't be too parochial.

Anyway, back on topic.

I think this thread has provoked some good posts. Lots of good debating.

For me, Rowley and Beaumont have built a great squad; and if they can keep improving at the rate that they are then SL, and staying there, isn't far away.

Playing exceptionally well at the moment and would definatley be a keeper and would pad out a quality SL squad.

By some people's reckoning, it would seem that Leigh have built a squad that's [itoo[/i [igood[/i for the Championship but [inot good enough[/i to stay up in Super League...

Quite close to my 'dream team' that post.

Exceptions though.
3 Wingers & 1 Centre ? Surely not ?

Ridyard stays but with an NRL/SL player to make both work for a place/cover.

Goulden ? - Now don't get me wrong here, I have nothing but admiration for the way he has given his all to the Club/Team, always at 200% in terms of effort & he seems to do it all quietly with minimum fuss. SL though I think might be a step to far, possibly.

Chris Hill returns.

You spotted the deliberate mistake

Chris Hill yes please he would fit the bill nicely

My rational behind Riddy/ additional half back is that I don't believe we could go up a division with all three pivots having no top flight expierience either in UK or ESL.

I just couldn't bring myself to leave Tommy out but agree SL is maybe a step to far at this stage of his career. Time will tell on that one he's never been in as good a nick though and still tops the tackle count most weeks and leads by example.

I remember him working for us a few years ago now when he was at Rochdale and asking could he finish early on a Friday afternoon. He had been up and down a scaffold all day banging light fittings in industrial units. Wrapped his tools up then went straight to St Helens and played against likes of Apollo Perelini etc and held his own and topped the tackle count.

I understand what your saying,I just keep reading people saying we require 6/7 good players bringing in, to compete.When realistically those numbers need doubling,if your to compete for top 8 in SL.

Everyones team sheet is based on players not getting injured,which won't be the case..So you need another 6/7 to be in place for the injuries..Thats what it would take to compete for top 8 in SL.

Being realistic from a championship sides point of view you could never draft that many potential SL players in,in such a small space of time.So you have to build accordinally,but still keeping the same mentallity as if Fui is injured he's replaced by Hock,if Liam is injured he's replaced by Des Drummond.

Thats living in an ideal world,so for the time being we should be looking to were to strengthen position wise but still keeping the same free flowing rugby but making sure we have an equal player to replace should injuries occur.

Without a doubt.