Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Fri Oct 25, 2019 12:24 pm  

Talk about glass half empty. Do people not realise that until We knew what Merrin was doing our hands were tied. Now he is staying ( good IMO) forget a big earner joining. Also unless we can move on Cuthbertson or find room on the coaching staff for him it looks unlikely that we will sign an overseas player. However that does not mean no business and I am absolutely certain things will be in place to sign players when space is available . The worst thing we can do is panic!!

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Fri Oct 25, 2019 12:26 pm  

Some people need to get a grip.

First, let's not forget the costly mid-late season signings last year: Ava, Martin and Lui have all yet to play a full season. While we've also managed to move on some of the dead wood, these signings probably came at a premium in terms of the salary cap given the desperate position we were in last season.

Second, new signings like Gale and Mellor are hardly shambolic. Half-back was the biggest weakness last year and that is well-covered now, especially with Myler still in the squad.

Third, by the sounds of it we've got some really promising kids ready to come through, including in the hooking role.

Fourth, we will have the benefit of Ward and Crosby back in 2020, which will hopefully be like having two new signings.

Making these changes happen probably means Leeds have had to pay over the odds in the short-term for some players. None of us know how much cap space is available, but perhaps we're just not able to accommodate any major new signings until the likes of Singleton, Myler, Cuthbertson and co are moved on to pastures new/retirement. The club can't just force these changes, otherwise we potentially risk losing the dressing room as seems to have happened under Furner.

I agree the squad is unbalanced and missing quality in some key areas, but the bottom-line is that it looks significantly better than it did at the start of 2019.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Fri Oct 25, 2019 1:37 pm  

Exeter Rhino wrote:

Some people need to get a grip.

First, let's not forget the costly mid-late season signings last year: Ava, Martin and Lui have all yet to play a full season. While we've also managed to move on some of the dead wood, these signings probably came at a premium in terms of the salary cap given the desperate position we were in last season.

Second, new signings like Gale and Mellor are hardly shambolic. Half-back was the biggest weakness last year and that is well-covered now, especially with Myler still in the squad.

Third, by the sounds of it we've got some really promising kids ready to come through, including in the hooking role.

Fourth, we will have the benefit of Ward and Crosby back in 2020, which will hopefully be like having two new signings.

Making these changes happen probably means Leeds have had to pay over the odds in the short-term for some players. None of us know how much cap space is available, but perhaps we're just not able to accommodate any major new signings until the likes of Singleton, Myler, Cuthbertson and co are moved on to pastures new/retirement. The club can't just force these changes, otherwise we potentially risk losing the dressing room as seems to have happened under Furner.

I agree the squad is unbalanced and missing quality in some key areas, but the bottom-line is that it looks significantly better than it did at the start of 2019.

Agree with all this.Good post

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Fri Oct 25, 2019 2:07 pm  

Personally I'd be happy if we didn't sign anyone else for 2020 because like others have said theres no point in signing bargain basement players for the sake of it thats what got us into this mess in the first place and we have moved out a lot of deadwood as well. If we go with what we've got now for next season i think we'd have enough to keep well away from the relegation zone and possibly squeak into the 5th spot depending if we can keep a consistent match day squad together next year. If we can't move the lieks of Myler and Singleton this off season just keep them to cover injuries but can't see either of them getting in 17 next year, i hope we don't resign Ferres for next year but think an announcement will be made soon that he's got a 1 year deal, the club must think cause we've lost JJB and Ablett we need an experienced back rower in changing room but Ferres has been a bad signing and doesn't warrant a new deal.

If we could get this 17 on the field.

1. Walker
2. T.Briscoe (if he doesn't go backwards after his injury)
3. Newman
4. Hurrell
5. Handley
6. Lui
7. Gale
8. Cuthbertson
9. Dwyer
10. Seamanufagai
11. Ward
12. Martin
13. Merrin

Subs

14. Mclelland/ Johnson
15. Mellor
16. Peteru/ Oldezki
17. Crosby

This 17 is a lot more balanced than how we started 2019 and i think will be more competitive as well.

And should comfortably be in 5th-8th position next year and then in 2021 we can rebuild when more deadwoood comes off contract and hopefully challenge for silverware again. Like i said if we can move more deadwood this off season or even mid season next year we should be looking for a hooker and another prop but make sure they are of top quality.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Fri Oct 25, 2019 2:29 pm  

I think that a top prop will need a Cuthbertson and maybe Peteru to have left first.

Holroyd has the potential to go all the way if he gets his mind and body right (and it is always a big if at this age). He can cause problems even now. Oledski should be better for another year, although I’m a bit concerned he wasn’t in Agar’s plans toward the back end of last year, and I hope he continues to develop.

Hooker-wise, it’s not beyond possible that Johnson might be ready to start from 2021. It’ll be interesting to see how he goes next year.

We just look undercooked for 2020. The side doesn’t look ready for a push to the top yet. If it were me, I’d hold the cheque book back and the contracts which have tied us up in knots, give it another year to unwind itself and then I’d be planning a real statement of intent for 2021 - by which time a handful of our young lads will be knocking on the door for England selection IMO and we will have got rid of ALL the dead wood which has been dragging the club back.

I think we have to time this. I know many are impatient to get on but it wouldn’t even surprise me if we’re having to let one or two players go just to get under the cap for next year, never mind for additional signings. Merrin was the big asset in terms of cap and quota but that ship looks to have sailed, for better or worse.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Fri Oct 25, 2019 3:02 pm  

Exeter Rhino wrote:

Some people need to get a grip.

First, let's not forget the costly mid-late season signings last year: Ava, Martin and Lui have all yet to play a full season. While we've also managed to move on some of the dead wood, these signings probably came at a premium in terms of the salary cap given the desperate position we were in last season.

Second, new signings like Gale and Mellor are hardly shambolic. Half-back was the biggest weakness last year and that is well-covered now, especially with Myler still in the squad.

Third, by the sounds of it we've got some really promising kids ready to come through, including in the hooking role.

Fourth, we will have the benefit of Ward and Crosby back in 2020, which will hopefully be like having two new signings.

Making these changes happen probably means Leeds have had to pay over the odds in the short-term for some players. None of us know how much cap space is available, but perhaps we're just not able to accommodate any major new signings until the likes of Singleton, Myler, Cuthbertson and co are moved on to pastures new/retirement. The club can't just force these changes, otherwise we potentially risk losing the dressing room as seems to have happened under Furner.

I agree the squad is unbalanced and missing quality in some key areas, but the bottom-line is that it looks significantly better than it did at the start of 2019.

I agree with some of this but Gale is a risk, yes I like Gale and it could work out well! Ava, Martin and Lui I am happy with they are great additions.

Ward is not like a new signing, he got injured again at the end of the season, a fresh injury, how many more times can this happen? Agree Crosby he add something, he seems like he has fire in there and that he’s grateful to Leeds!

Mellor isn’t really a great addition, he’s ok but our Kids go go just as well. It just really winds me up that we have messed up with keeping players on long contracts e.g. Myler, Cuthbo, Singleton just to name a few. The whole Ferres thing is joke, he is stealing a place there.

I genuinely think Sinfield is trying his best but with the big mistakes made in the past it’s hard for him to try and shift the deadwood and non performers.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Fri Oct 25, 2019 3:16 pm  

Exeter Rhino wrote:

Some people need to get a grip.

First, let's not forget the costly mid-late season signings last year: Ava, Martin and Lui have all yet to play a full season. While we've also managed to move on some of the dead wood, these signings probably came at a premium in terms of the salary cap given the desperate position we were in last season.

Second, new signings like Gale and Mellor are hardly shambolic. Half-back was the biggest weakness last year and that is well-covered now, especially with Myler still in the squad.

Third, by the sounds of it we've got some really promising kids ready to come through, including in the hooking role.

Fourth, we will have the benefit of Ward and Crosby back in 2020, which will hopefully be like having two new signings.

Making these changes happen probably means Leeds have had to pay over the odds in the short-term for some players. None of us know how much cap space is available, but perhaps we're just not able to accommodate any major new signings until the likes of Singleton, Myler, Cuthbertson and co are moved on to pastures new/retirement. The club can't just force these changes, otherwise we potentially risk losing the dressing room as seems to have happened under Furner.

I agree the squad is unbalanced and missing quality in some key areas, but the bottom-line is that it looks significantly better than it did at the start of 2019.

Good post. Agree with that. But our front line is average to poor imo Ava apart. Wish we had someone like that big tongan lad FC have signed

[Ex-Swarcliffe Rhino]

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Fri Oct 25, 2019 3:27 pm  

Excellent post by Exeter there.

No point in signing any tom dick or harry just for signings sake.

If they are not going to improve us, if they are not going to be mission critical in bringing through the highly rated academy lads then lets not tie up valuable cap space on squad fillers.

Lets identify the players we do want, properly get the negotiations in for them for 2021 no messing about and get these youngsters blooded.

IF and I say IF we use next year as a proving ground then I think most fans would accept that as long as we are moving forward and actually learning from our mistakes. That way we can bank the experience from 2020 and use the hopefully upcoming cap space to properly kit out the team.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Fri Oct 25, 2019 3:31 pm  

Ex-Swarcliffe Rhino wrote:

Excellent post by Exeter there.

No point in signing any tom dick or harry just for signings sake.

If they are not going to improve us, if they are not going to be mission critical in bringing through the highly rated academy lads then lets not tie up valuable cap space on squad fillers.

Lets identify the players we do want, properly get the negotiations in for them for 2021 no messing about and get these youngsters blooded.

IF and I say IF we use next year as a proving ground then I think most fans would accept that as long as we are moving forward and actually learning from our mistakes. That way we can bank the experience from 2020 and use the hopefully upcoming cap space to properly kit out the team.

For me the jury is still out on Sinfield he's signed L.Briscoe Crosby Albert & if the rumours are true just re-signed Ferres with that approach we're going to be carrying dross for years.

[Ex-Swarcliffe Rhino]

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Fri Oct 25, 2019 4:01 pm  

RHINO-MARK wrote:

For me the jury is still out on Sinfield he's signed L.Briscoe Crosby Albert & if the rumours are true just re-signed Ferres with that approach we're going to be carrying dross for years.

Can see your point fella, it is worrying that we do have a trend to desperation buy recently, but thats due to being in such poor positions over last few years league wise. Not a Ferres fan at all, was stoked when we signed him after that excellent England series but what we actually got......