Re: Season 2024 : Sat Sep 21, 2024 11:08 pm  

If anyone at Headingley was under any illusions as to how far off the pace this squad is, finishing eighth should remedy that. That's including loop games against London and Hull, one of which we managed to lose which at least saw the end of Rohan's time as coach. We won one game against the top three all year (against a tired Wigan) and even in a bad year for them Sts did us comfortably three times.

A tough off season, some good signings and change in approach will make a big enough difference for us to get into the play offs, but we have so much dead wood in the squad I can't see us really challenging next season. I know lots of people like to defend certain players, but based on this season's performances there are only about half a dozen players who are of the right quality or who couldn't be easily upgraded. I'm excluding the kids from that, I'm thinking first 17 when everyone's fit.

Frankly it doesn't help making signings like Ryan Hall. That was pre Blease and Arthur and was clearly a GH 'captain's call' based on some rationale other than playing ability. Nothing against Ryan, but it simply shouldn't have happened, and if anything signalled the need to bring in Blease that did.

Re: Season 2024 : Sat Sep 21, 2024 11:33 pm  

I don't beleive we can simply buy better players and that will sve our problems. It never has done and I doubt it will in the future. We need to bring on our own players through the club with a sprinkling of more experienced players. It will take time and I don't expect much improvement in 2025. We don't seem to have a plan or a clear development route for younger players. Until we put this right nothing will change.

I agree entirely the loop fixtures are a joke, but the league is too greedy and simply wants to shae revenue with 12 clubs and not 14. It makes RL a laughing stock.

But I will still have a season ticket next year!

Re: Season 2024 : Sun Sep 22, 2024 8:37 am  

The 2024 season was doomed when Rohan wasn't sacked in 2023, and given license to build his squad. He may have got rid of what are described as deadwood, but the squad he left us with is a mile off.
I have a lot more faith in Blease and Arthur, but they have one hell of a job putting right what they have inherited.

Re: Season 2024 : Sun Sep 22, 2024 8:48 am  

The loop fixtures are a financial necessity for a number of clubs - the marketing of the game and its inability to generate sponsorship is the major challenge. The lamentable standard on the field across all sides isn't helping. The lack of youth development across the league should be a focus of all clubs - perhaps restricting the overseas players would be a start. A club like Leeds with its resources shouldn't need 9 non British players in their squad. A complete clear out of the coaches in the youth development department is needed - a complete reset.

Re: Season 2024 : Sun Sep 22, 2024 9:39 am  

Pretty much ended as most expected by game 8-9.

Feels like every year since 2017 ish.

The most frustrating bit os the chatter from HQ about super tight cap which is either nonsense agent speak to try lower incoming costs,to lower expectations amongst fans or is true and we are up poop creek with over paid dross.

Re: Season 2024 : Sun Sep 22, 2024 9:44 am  

Once were Loiners wrote:

If anyone at Headingley was under any illusions as to how far off the pace this squad is, finishing eighth should remedy that. That's including loop games against London and Hull, one of which we managed to lose which at least saw the end of Rohan's time as coach. We won one game against the top three all year (against a tired Wigan) and even in a bad year for them Sts did us comfortably three times.

A tough off season, some good signings and change in approach will make a big enough difference for us to get into the play offs, but we have so much dead wood in the squad I can't see us really challenging next season. I know lots of people like to defend certain players, but based on this season's performances there are only about half a dozen players who are of the right quality or who couldn't be easily upgraded. I'm excluding the kids from that, I'm thinking first 17 when everyone's fit.

Frankly it doesn't help making signings like Ryan Hall. That was pre Blease and Arthur and was clearly a GH 'captain's call' based on some rationale other than playing ability. Nothing against Ryan, but it simply shouldn't have happened, and if anything signalled the need to bring in Blease that did.

Why does the Ryan Hall signing particularly annoy you?
Seems like a good stop gap signing to me.
Save money and cap from Fusi, on a durable player who's just finished in the top 2.
Still carries really strong to get sets going, top of the league for carries and 2nd for metres.
Gives Lumb a year or two to get ready for super league week in week out

Re: Season 2024 : Sun Sep 22, 2024 11:33 am  

Neruda wrote:

Why does the Ryan Hall signing particularly annoy you?
Seems like a good stop gap signing to me.
Save money and cap from Fusi, on a durable player who's just finished in the top 2.
Still carries really strong to get sets going, top of the league for carries and 2nd for metres.
Gives Lumb a year or two to get ready for super league week in week out

It says everything about the club signing a 37 year old , the same as continuing with Frawley when we need to find out how good Sinfield is .

Re: Season 2024 : Sun Sep 22, 2024 1:53 pm  

perhaps they have decided sinfield isn't good enough? we'll see in the coming weeks

Re: Season 2024 : Sun Sep 22, 2024 2:24 pm  

Right now Arthur thinks Frawley offers more than Sinfield - maybe not in every aspect of his game, but overall I agree. It's up to Sinfield to displace Frawley and so far Sinfield Jnr hasn't been good enough when picked to command a regular place.

Re: Hall, I'm glad to see him back and surely he will play more than Fusitua in a season. But still, I had hoped we would have signed a younger and more dynamic player as our only new recruit (so far).

Re: Season 2024 : Sun Sep 22, 2024 2:27 pm  

Zoo Zoo Boom wrote:

The loop fixtures are a financial necessity for a number of clubs - the marketing of the game and its inability to generate sponsorship is the major challenge. The lamentable standard on the field across all sides isn't helping. The lack of youth development across the league should be a focus of all clubs - perhaps restricting the overseas players would be a start. A club like Leeds with its resources shouldn't need 9 non British players in their squad. A complete clear out of the coaches in the youth development department is needed - a complete reset.

here he is...turn it in blaming the kids coaches for years you have been at it? you been sacked from academy or your kid not been kept on? your beef with a certin coach needs to be had with him kids and the kids coaches are not to blame for the mess we are in at the moment and the season we have had how many kr grown players played other night?(they had broadbent whos a leeds grown player too) everyone on here praising lumb and edgell you think they just appeared good rugby players themselves its boring now your issue with a certin bloke at the club boring