A lot of the problem seems to lie with GH for me. Once, he had his finger on the pulse, good contacts down under and at home and the buying clout to match. It seems like all that's faded over the years. Maybe an age thing. The club structure's different to Hudds but I'm increasingly reminded of Ken Davy: a guy that would like nothing better than to deliver success to the club he clearly loves but without the wherewithal to do so.

Recruitment, by necessity, was very limited last year. We had very little coming off the cap and tbh Smith did very well to move contracted players like Prior and Walker on. He's rolled the dice where he could and met with varying degrees of success, but even if they had all come off nobody in their right mind could expect them to make up for the lack of class in the spine positions. This year's budget should allow for far more ambitious recruitment. So far nothing has materialised and that has to be the major concern. Just think it would be unfair to bin Smith off (especially when there are not other obvious candidates) when his chances to improve the squad have been so limited.

I agree the halves are obviously the problem but the pack just lacks the impact it should have with the likes of Oledzki and Holroyd just looking average and nowhere near england selection levels. Theres just no aggression, no desire.

Holroyd was going great until his injury, and was selected for England





Oledski has been poor by his own standards this year.



Annoyingly Smith has improved Walters no end.



As I say our pack isn’t the issue IMO. Take yesterday Lisone and Sangare were running with intent and bumping people off, Lisone was smacking people in defence, we had loads of field position but not the players especially in the halves to capitalise and that’s been the issue all year.

Was Kev appointed on the basis to be the eventual successor to Gary.

If that was the case why was a replacement not found for him when he left.

No I think that was just an assumption made by fans.



You could question why he’s never been replaced as DOR though, Id be happy for the club to bring one in.

Will be interesting to see how a very inexperienced coach gets on at Warrington with Sam Burgess being set to be announced!

Seems like complete madness to me.

I thought Holroyd had the desire, without the impact yesterday. Whereas Oledzki seems to have a massive sulk on.

Most teams are managing without top half backs these days, Leigh, Hull & Cats being the obvious exceptions, but most are finding other ways to win.

I think it just shows you the calibre of coaches available from Australia at the moment.

We had one half back who cant be bothered and a young hooker halfback, and s 19 year ild on the bench.



Look at the teams above us. Salford have Sneyd and Croft, Hull KR have brought in Schneidder and have Mikey Lewis, Warrington (who have other issues) have Drinkwater and Williams, Wigan have Smith, Cust, Field and French (whi can play well wherever) saints have Lomax and Dodd, although I think Dodd has been poor this year.

So got another update regarding recruitment after yesterday's stinker of a game. Obviously we wasn't able to bring in anyone in time before this year's deadline despite the clubs best efforts. Apparently we contacted Wigan about Cade Cust & Salford about Brodie Croft & Ryan Brieley but obviously transfer fees we're a big stumbling block and obviously we had less than 24 hrs to try get any deal over the line.





Regarding 2024 the club is actively trying to recruit especially players in spine positions obviously with Austin & Sezer expected to leave, the club are tryiny to get the best player/s available to play in the halves we're looking in NRL and Super League. Rohan apparently wants 4 half back choices for next season and beyond we obviously have Jack Sinfield who is signed up til 2026 and we have supposedly got Rowan Milnes wrapped up from Hull KR on a 2 year deal and the club should be ready to announce that soon so Sinfield & Milnes will be 2 options out of the 4 but they wouldn't be first choice week in week out as the club is looking to bring in another 2 experienced half back options.



Lastly David Fusitua has resigned on a 1 Yr deal i believe on reduced terms and the club should announce that soon as well.

Long sacked by fev. Worked ok as an attack coach under Rohan.

Milnes as a back up, which is what he is at H Kr makes more sense provided we can get 2 quality halves in.



As for Sam Burgess to wire, sounds bizarre but he’s been in NRL coaching and I think the key will be him getting the players on his side and team spirit correct.

Looking at how we play, which is mainly 5 drives and a kick , my grandad could coach way better than that tomorrow and he’s been dead thirty years. I don’t see much technical coaching wizardry in SL which would baffle anyone after watching SL for 2 weeks. So he’s got a chance. He can’t look any grumpier than Powell did, so should get a reaction, whether it lasts who knows



Agree with tigertot, Oledski looks unhappy to me. Hope he’s not next in to ask for an exit

Wonder what's caused that at this stage of the season.

If you think we are a basket case Fev are worse





He's off to be Assistant to Sam Burgess at Wire - Christmas parties will be fun!

David Fusitua ? You are kidding right ? He wouldn't get in my local amateur team.

So 50% attendance fusi and Milne?.

Didn't want to spend cash on transfers ?.



Sounds like leeds xD

Milnes is fine as second choice HB, they need to get the other two right though

They will and probably so will training.

I wonder if we are missing Long on attack this season ? Many games are close but we look lacklustre with the ball and playing too much 1 man rugby and Cam smith caught with ball far too often on tackles 3,4 and 5.



End of last season we seemed to have a bit more. We also had Zak, Leeming and I think we are missing Sutcliffe. Time for a lie down

I’m ok with Fusi, he has quality, but needs some better injury luck. I do however think he needs a wingers centre inside him. Time to move Newman to FB and new centre for me.

Even one quality half back will charge this team too. A Hastings type, who wants the ball all the time. Preferably bit faster though, with a running threat. Probably a pipe dream, and we end up with two old NRL plodders …!

I’m ok with Fusi, he has quality, but needs some better injury luck. I do however think he needs a wingers centre inside him. Time to move Newman to FB and new centre for me.

Even one quality half back will charge this team too. A Hastings type, who wants the ball all the time. Preferably bit faster though, with a running threat. Probably a pipe dream, and we end up with two old NRL plodders …!

Fusi was injury prone when we signed him and IIRC, he's played about 50% of the games in two years.



What will change next year regarding that?. If we have ro resign him as an easy option I get it but anyone thinking his injury record will get better with age is hoping for luck

It’s a gamble but it can happen.



What was Tom Johnstone’s injury record before joining Catalans?

Interesting that even Peter Smith has had a dig at the club in the YEP. He's normally pretty careful about criticising the club, but he's picked out the seeming lack of ambition or really anything to get excited about.



He also pointed out that the current run of not making the top 4 is the longest since 1948-54. That's quite shocking, to me at least. Interestingly even before the end of that period Leeds did make a massive statement signing in Lewis Jones. Can't quite see that standard of player joining us...