Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sun Oct 01, 2023 10:48 am  

The thing Leeds are having difficulty with, and what totally sets them apart from Leigh, is that Leeds are trying to build a team with an eye on the long term. There's no long-term in Leigh's strategy - they've brought in a bunch of players to win in the short term, it's a one or two season affair. That might be considered a better strategy because it yields trophies in that couple of year window. But regardless it's not what Hetherington and Smith are trying to do. They are trying to build a squad and balance a salary cap with reference to where they think the team will be in a few year's time, bringing in players from outside who will fill the gaps around the home grown talent and support them coming through. That's much more difficult than just going out and buying a good player who happens to be available in every position.

Like I said the strategy is open to challenge but we can't just compare Leeds to Leigh without trying to understand the different dynamics of the two clubs.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sun Oct 01, 2023 11:11 am  

The difference is where you start from in terms of junior strength. If you have a good bunch on kids at whatever stage, the job is to work out how to integrate them and build around them. If you don’t then the job is to build a winning team to attract them in the first place. Leeds are in the former category and Leigh are in the latter. The different strategies are both right given where they are starting from.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sun Oct 01, 2023 11:34 am  

Fwiw I think Leigh will come back down to earth next year after a freak season. They can no longer use the plucky ‘underdog’ motivation and they might not be as luck next year with injuries to the spine positions, it’s no coincidence that the teams that have done well this year have had that consistency.

If Leigh have a bad start Derek Beaumont will be throwing leopard teddies out all over the place.

It’s ok saying loom at Leigh’s ambition but it’s totally reliant on the owner putting money in, it’s not a sustainable long term strategy.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sun Oct 01, 2023 11:41 am  

christopher wrote:

Fwiw I think Leigh will come back down to earth next year after a freak season. They can no longer use the plucky ‘underdog’ motivation and they might not be as luck next year with injuries to the spine positions, it’s no coincidence that the teams that have done well this year have had that consistency.

If Leigh have a bad start Derek Beaumont will be throwing leopard teddies out all over the place.

It’s ok saying loom at Leigh’s ambition but it’s totally reliant on the owner putting money in, it’s not a sustainable long term strategy.

Depends how wealthy and committed the owner really is but yes we’ve been here before (Koukash and that Wolfpack plonker).

Salary cap was not just to level the playing field as such: it was to keep a viable competition of more than 4/5 sides in the top division. Clubs still have financial problems even with salary cap in place, but we’re arguing that clubs should be allowed to spend more… okay well that suits Leeds but this isn’t premier league soccer.

The money just isn’t in the game in the UK. With the marquee rule anyway what is to really stop Leeds from bringing in an Origin star? We can’t afford to is the answer.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sun Oct 01, 2023 12:23 pm  

but we are way behind leigh in quality of signings. that's unacceptable. Next year the gap will be bigger imo

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sun Oct 01, 2023 1:03 pm  

tad rhino wrote:

but we are way behind leigh in quality of signings. that's unacceptable. Next year the gap will be bigger imo

Who have Leigh signed? And which home grown players do Leigh have coming through the ranks

Leigh have a had an outstanding year but don’t overstate their case.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sun Oct 01, 2023 1:24 pm  

One thing for sure is that Leeds will be announcing 2-3 more signings yet.

How high quality will they be? Anyone’s guess. Fingers crossed.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sun Oct 01, 2023 1:36 pm  

MjM wrote:

Oh good it's another "the game is dying" post
FWIW attendances aren't down and if you think there aren't other sports struggling well...

"Investment" BTW is just code for "rich owners setting more money on fire". Nobody invests in a Rugby League club to get a financial return.

Rugby union clubs are folding constantly at the minute.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sun Oct 01, 2023 2:28 pm  

MjM wrote:

The thing Leeds are having difficulty with, and what totally sets them apart from Leigh, is that Leeds are trying to build a team with an eye on the long term. There's no long-term in Leigh's strategy - they've brought in a bunch of players to win in the short term, it's a one or two season affair. That might be considered a better strategy because it yields trophies in that couple of year window. But regardless it's not what Hetherington and Smith are trying to do. They are trying to build a squad and balance a salary cap with reference to where they think the team will be in a few year's time, bringing in players from outside who will fill the gaps around the home grown talent and support them coming through. That's much more difficult than just going out and buying a good player who happens to be available in every position.

Like I said the strategy is open to challenge but we can't just compare Leeds to Leigh without trying to understand the different dynamics of the two clubs.

Who in the Leigh team are the players bought in to win things? I just see a team of average players who are willing to fight for each other and a well structured game plan.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sun Oct 01, 2023 3:59 pm  

RAPIDO wrote:

Who in the Leigh team are the players bought in to win things?

Look at their squad, take out the home grown players, and you'll have your answer.