Re: EXTENSION | James Bentley - Expires: 2025 : Thu Jan 11, 2024 8:31 am  

The issue with the front row last year was the inconsistency, they showed in games they could match it with the best, Wigan away been an example that stands out. But then we would crumble again Cas and Wakey.

Re: EXTENSION | James Bentley - Expires: 2025 : Thu Jan 11, 2024 9:41 am  

On the face of it last years faltering front row is a bit weaker still, though the hope is Oledzski is back to form, Holroyd can maintain his for longer and stay fit, Sangare greatly improves (im not convinced hes got it in him, Goudemand could be a really valuable consistent performer, Hudson gets fit and fullfills his undoubted potential, Lisone Kicks on with his form at the back end of last year.

A lot of unknowns and yes if the hypothetical Tom B instead of Miller, and keep Myler at FB, i would have taken that but, it was never on the table.

Re: EXTENSION | James Bentley - Expires: 2025 : Thu Jan 11, 2024 10:39 am  

I'm not sure that we are as light up front as people are making out. I think too many people are still thinking we needed to replace Walters - even though he doesn't see himself, nor wants to play, in the front row anyway.

Oledzki will have more impact this year. He looked like he held back after his shoulder surgery at times last season, and literally couldn't look any fitter than he does at present.

Lisone looks to have improved his fitness dramatically as well. He was a handful at the end of last season, and I think he will carry on where he left off. He shouldn't be out for too long with his thumb injury.

Holroyd will come on leaps and bounds this season too. I don't think we have seen his full potential yet, and I still think he has it in him to be a better player than Walters.

Goudemand may be the type of cover forward we need. People are a bit sceptical about his size, but he knows where the try line is and how to get to it. I think this seasons Leeds team will be clever enough to work out how to use him well and not need to use brute size down the middle everytime, anyway.

Sangare disappointed me last season. He seemed a bit shy at times and didn't use his size well, in my opinion. I think he lacked fitness, but that should be improved dramatically this year. I'm hoping he shows that he can be the powerhouse that we want.

Hudson, Nicholson-Watton, and Ruan all look hungry and capable of filling a bench spot. We will probably see them on loan to improve their game, but I don't think any will take a step back or show any less than 100% if put in a Leeds shirt. Ruan is turning into a big physical lad, and the other two aren't far behind.

I got a bit of stick on here this time last year for saying we were a bit light in the forwards. I think we will do alright this time around. We now have the team that are capable of working around them, and be able to win games with fast playing offence instead of relying on bullying our way down the middle. That also relieves pressure on our forwards and keeps them fresher for when we do decide to punch a hole in the defensive line - which any of them are capable of doing.

Re: EXTENSION | James Bentley - Expires: 2025 : Thu Jan 11, 2024 11:04 am  

Hopefully this optimism won't be knocked out of us in the same way as the start of last season. I think the forwards are good enough but I am concerned about missing a few props at the start of the season and the potential for us to struggle if we're subject to recurrent injuries to Oledski and Holroyd.

Re: EXTENSION | James Bentley - Expires: 2025 : Thu Jan 11, 2024 11:06 am  

Leeds_Luke wrote:

We now have the team that are capable of working around them, and be able to win games with fast playing offence instead of relying on bullying our way down the middle. That also relieves pressure on our forwards and keeps them fresher for when we do decide to punch a hole in the defensive line - which any of them are capable of doing.

Yes hopefully its case of working smarter not harder.

Re: EXTENSION | James Bentley - Expires: 2025 : Thu Jan 11, 2024 1:59 pm  

leedsbarmyarmy wrote:

Yes hopefully its case of working smarter not harder.

We were the dumbest team by some margin in SL last year IMO, I'd like to think that with Ackers, Croft, Frawley and MOM we've increased our rugby IQ by some margin.

Re: EXTENSION | James Bentley - Expires: 2025 : Thu Jan 11, 2024 2:20 pm  

Leeds_Luke wrote:

I'm not sure that we are as light up front as people are making out. I think too many people are still thinking we needed to replace Walters - even though he doesn't see himself, nor wants to play, in the front row anyway.

Oledzki will have more impact this year. He looked like he held back after his shoulder surgery at times last season, and literally couldn't look any fitter than he does at present.

Lisone looks to have improved his fitness dramatically as well. He was a handful at the end of last season, and I think he will carry on where he left off. He shouldn't be out for too long with his thumb injury.

Holroyd will come on leaps and bounds this season too. I don't think we have seen his full potential yet, and I still think he has it in him to be a better player than Walters.

Goudemand may be the type of cover forward we need. People are a bit sceptical about his size, but he knows where the try line is and how to get to it. I think this seasons Leeds team will be clever enough to work out how to use him well and not need to use brute size down the middle everytime, anyway.

Sangare disappointed me last season. He seemed a bit shy at times and didn't use his size well, in my opinion. I think he lacked fitness, but that should be improved dramatically this year. I'm hoping he shows that he can be the powerhouse that we want.

Hudson, Nicholson-Watton, and Ruan all look hungry and capable of filling a bench spot. We will probably see them on loan to improve their game, but I don't think any will take a step back or show any less than 100% if put in a Leeds shirt. Ruan is turning into a big physical lad, and the other two aren't far behind.

I got a bit of stick on here this time last year for saying we were a bit light in the forwards. I think we will do alright this time around. We now have the team that are capable of working around them, and be able to win games with fast playing offence instead of relying on bullying our way down the middle. That also relieves pressure on our forwards and keeps them fresher for when we do decide to punch a hole in the defensive line - which any of them are capable of doing.

Holroyd will come on leaps and bounds this season too. I don't think we have seen his full potential yet, and I still think he has it in him to be a better player than Walters.

Potential to be better than Walters? He’s already better than Walters, he’s younger and already a full England international, people really have an inflated opinion on Walters abilities, much like Walters himself.

Re: EXTENSION | James Bentley - Expires: 2025 : Thu Jan 11, 2024 2:23 pm  

rollin thunder wrote:

Holroyd will come on leaps and bounds this season too. I don't think we have seen his full potential yet, and I still think he has it in him to be a better player than Walters.

Potential to be better than Walters? He’s already better than Walters, he’s younger and already a full England international, people really have an inflated opinion on Walters abilities, much like Walters himself.

Ps i agree with everything else.

Re: EXTENSION | James Bentley - Expires: 2025 : Thu Jan 11, 2024 2:43 pm  

rollin thunder wrote:

Holroyd will come on leaps and bounds this season too. I don't think we have seen his full potential yet, and I still think he has it in him to be a better player than Walters.

Potential to be better than Walters? He’s already better than Walters, he’s younger and already a full England international, people really have an inflated opinion on Walters abilities, much like Walters himself.

Ps i agree with everything else.

Re: EXTENSION | James Bentley - Expires: 2025 : Sat Jan 13, 2024 12:27 pm  

rollin thunder wrote:

Holroyd will come on leaps and bounds this season too. I don't think we have seen his full potential yet, and I still think he has it in him to be a better player than Walters.

Potential to be better than Walters? He’s already better than Walters, he’s younger and already a full England international, people really have an inflated opinion on Walters abilities, much like Walters himself.

Holroyd is decent , but i think you will find that Walters will be the higher rated by most neutrals by the end of 2024