: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:25 pm  

What yesterday proved is that Saints are the better team at the moment, no doubt that they deserved the win, but also how a couple of bounces can affect a game. In the second half one of Sinfield's kick-offs completely did for the Saints defence, however the ball bounced straight up in the air and eventually came back into the field of play. Not long after, Wilkin's kick bounced away from Webb and into touch for a 40/20, which Wellens scored from. Now, I'm not saying we'd have won if those bounces had gone the other way, but it could have made a difference.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:26 pm  

rhinoms wrote:

I know what you mean mate but given how he's run our club since he's been here do you honestly think he's done a bad job???
He has run the club's policy of recruitment/retention greatly imo and no matter what anyone think's he won't just throw money around without the correct tick's in the boxe's and i don't think that's a bad thing at all.
Don't forget we were well in the sh#t when he and caddick took over.

There is no doubt that GH has done a great job, but just because we have established ourselves as one of the top clubs in this country doesn't mean would shouldn't strive for more.

I don't think GH has failed in his recruitment. This close season he signed 2 world class players. Unfortunately one of them couldn't make it over. I am confident that if a need has been identified he will be able to go out and get us the best he can to fit that gap. I would love us to win the league again this year, but I also want the club to be sustainable in the future, and that means protecting our finances, and keeping the flow of acadamy products into the first team

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:34 pm  

leicester_rhino wrote:

There is no doubt that GH has done a great job, but just because we have established ourselves as one of the top clubs in this country doesn't mean would shouldn't strive for more.
I don't think GH has failed in his recruitment. This close season he signed 2 world class players. Unfortunately one of them couldn't make it over. I am confident that if a need has been identified he will be able to go out and get us the best he can to fit that gap. I would love us to win the league again this year, but I also want the club to be sustainable in the future, and that means protecting our finances, and keeping the flow of acadamy products into the first team

I agree completely and i trust him to carry that on.
I've no problem's with fan's wanting more signing's but it has to be A.right for the team(spirit).
B.At the right price as i wouldn't break our wage structure.
C.I don't think this squad is as "bad or light" as some other's do,that's just my opinion.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:35 pm  

G1 wrote:

So what is your point? What is it that he hasn't done that he ought to have, specifically?

He ought to have used the full cap and if necessary quota at his disposal to assemble/retain a squad at least as good as the one that won back to back championships and the WCC. Perhaps one capable of defending their titles and even one capable of winning a home 'virtual' Challenge Cup final. That would have been nice.

He knew of Ellis' departure in March 2008, he jetted straight off to Australia for a replacement and signed Danny Buderus. Leeds' outside backs needed some attention in the close season also. I was never a big fan of Clinton Toopi but I wish he was still here now.

rhinoms wrote:

Afterall what's to say he's not trying to recruit???

Why would he need to recruit during the 2009 season for the 2009 season if he'd done the job properly last year?

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:41 pm  

It wasn't his fault Eastwood's visa didn't arrive. At the start of the season most people thought Gibson, Watkins and Smith would do the job and we didn't need another Aussie centre, and at the loss of one game, Gibson's 3rd or 4th match and Smith being out, suddenly we need a new centre, it's absurd. Unfortunately there was nobody avaliable who would increase the quality of our squad, would a second rate Aussie do anything more than what we've got? We haven't played well but we're still top, yes we've lost two trophies, we were unlucky to draw Saints early, but we'd have had to play them sometime. It isn't the end of the world, I'm sure a big messege will be sent out on Friday night, and the doubters will be proved wrong, keep the faith.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:43 pm  

tvoc wrote:

He ought to have used the full cap and if necessary quota at his disposal to assemble/retain a squad at least as good as the one that won back to back championships and the WCC. Perhaps one capable of defending their titles and even one capable of winning a home 'virtual' Challenge Cup final. That would have been nice.

Who is to say he hasn't? Are you saying that this team are not capable of retaining the championship?

He knew of Ellis' departure in March 2008, he jetted straight off to Australia for a replacement and signed Danny Buderus. Leeds' outside backs needed some attention in the close season also. I was never a big fan of Clinton Toopi but I wish he was still here now.

I think you'll find he signed Buderus at the best of our esteemed and beyond criticism coach. He asked for him, GH went and got him. Great work by the Chief Exec. He signed Eastwood, whose credentials as a replacement for Ellis are clear, in good time for this season.

[/quote]

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:45 pm  

tvoc wrote:

He ought to have used the full cap and if necessary quota at his disposal to assemble/retain a squad at least as good as the one that won back to back championships and the WCC. Perhaps one capable of defending their titles and even one capable of winning a home 'virtual' Challenge Cup final. That would have been nice.

He knew of Ellis' departure in March 2008, he jetted straight off to Australia for a replacement and signed Danny Buderus. Leeds' outside backs needed some attention in the close season also. I was never a big fan of Clinton Toopi but I wish he was still here now.



Why would he need to recruit during the 2009 season for the 2009 season if he'd done the job properly last year?

That come's down more to who's available and at what cost doesn't it??
Like i said the soliola deal fell through when he got splattered in the play-off's by wiki.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:48 pm  

leicester_rhino wrote:

I don't think GH has failed in his recruitment. This close season he signed 2 world class players. Unfortunately one of them couldn't make it over.

Eastwood is far from being that, although it's fair to say he would have added considerably to the present Leeds squad.

At this moment he's a Bulldog for the next three years and even if his Visa appeal is successful there is no guarantee he will exercise his option in Leeds' favour for 2010. So Leeds are stuck in the worst of all positions re-Eastwood. Not having the player in 2009 but minded that he might be coming 2010 so inhibited with their recruitment until they get a guarantee.

In that case I think it's time to cut free and not have the issue.

G1 wrote:

Who is to say he hasn't? Are you saying that this team are not capable of retaining the championship?

No I don't believe I would make such a ridiculous comment when I still fully expect Leeds to finish 1 or 2 this season.

rhinoms wrote:

That come's down more to who's available and at what cost doesn't it??

Leeds have cap space and quota spots available, so what should they have done with that money last season?

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:56 pm  

tvoc wrote:

Eastwood is far from being that, although it's fair to say he would have added considerably to the present Leeds squad.

At this moment he's a Bulldog for the next three years and even if his Visa appeal is successful there is no guarantee he will exercise his option in Leeds' favour for 2010. So Leeds are stuck in the worst of all positions re-Eastwood. Not having the player in 2009 but minded that he might be coming 2010 so inhibited with their recruitment until they get a guarantee.

In that case I think it's time to cut free and not have the issue.

This is very relevant and I'd agree 100%. Also, assuming the Inland Rev close the image rights loophole, it's probably fair to say that meeting his contract terms would prove much more costly than originally envisaged.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 2:00 pm  

tvoc wrote:

Eastwood is far from being that, although it's fair to say he would have added considerably to the present Leeds squad.

At this moment he's a Bulldog for the next three years and even if his Visa appeal is successful there is no guarantee he will exercise his option in Leeds' favour for 2010. So Leeds are stuck in the worst of all positions re-Eastwood. Not having the player in 2009 but minded that he might be coming 2010 so inhibited with their recruitment until they get a guarantee.

In that case I think it's time to cut free and not have the issue.



No I don't believe I would make such a ridiculous comment when I still fully expect Leeds to finish 1 or 2 this season.



Leeds have cap space and quota spots available, so what should they have done with that money last season?

Again it's a case of finding the right player's on the right deals isn't it???
If the right deal isn't out there do we sign 2nd or 3rd best???
Before anyone mention's anselme he was already training at the club when the pritchard deal didn't come off and was only used in an emergancy which imo isn't the case now.