Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Oct 18, 2023 6:52 am  

Whoops predicted text oysters should’ve been posters

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Oct 18, 2023 6:56 am  

So, now that the two incomings are confirmed, it's been the biggest off season recruitment drive for years by Leeds. Gary has done a brilliant job so far, and may not yet have finished. Clearly the £300k shortfall in central funding has created an opportunity to bring in Croft and Ackers, and Gary will have known about that for quite sometime, probably the reason for the "list behind the list" comment.

If we can add a big experienced prop, Burgess or Sutton would be ideal, then it's as much as even I could have asked for.

There's no reason why we shouldn't be back in the top 4 next season now, and with luck with injuries who knows how far we can go.

Really looking forward to the new season with interest again. Excellent work Gary, over to you Rohan.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Oct 18, 2023 6:58 am  

I’m not actually bothered about winning silverware TBH, I just want a season without major drama, play some good entertaining RL and be up there competing rather than fire fighting in the bottom half.

I want to go to the games especially against the ‘bigger’ teams thinking we are in level terms with them not hoping for a plucky win, and I want to see some intelligence on the pitch, weve been the dumbest team in the league for a few years imo, and it’s simply been down to the imbalances in the squad.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Oct 18, 2023 7:01 am  

How many have we brought in that were under contract?

Miller, Mom, Ackers and Croft?

Pretty good going and shows that olayers do want to come to us despite what some think.

It’s also interesting to read comments by Saints fans, they think they are well behind in recruiting and clubs like us and Wigan are way ahead for the next few years.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Oct 18, 2023 7:04 am  

Great off season. Does make you wonder what we’ve been doing recruitment wise for prev 5 years though!

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Oct 18, 2023 7:06 am  

Well, got to hand it to GH, these are statement signings.
Just what we needed.

But still can't help thinking we are a prop short.
We spent most games last season getting rolled 70-80 metres every set.
And we've lost Tetevano and Walters.
The new sparkly backs are not likely to stop that.

A couple of injuries (which are inevitable) and Donaldson is at prop.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Oct 18, 2023 7:08 am  

Shabino wrote:

Great off season. Does make you wonder what we’ve been doing recruitment wise for prev 5 years though!

Don’t think we’ve really have had the funds available until now, but we have made some big signings in the last 5 years they’ve just not been the right ones, Rohan Smith could be a big part in that, he’s constantly talked about getting the ‘right’ players in

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Oct 18, 2023 7:17 am  

Totes agree Christopher.

Good work by RS and GH - I guess Oates has something to do with the new commercial deals which have helped underpin this spending spree too:

I actually don’t love us buying our way out of trouble but it is what it is. Rather this than more years of doldrums.

I think other clubs will be taking Leeds more seriously next year. Now we will be able to properly judge RS as a coach with a side he has assembled. He has been hammered by some on here most of the year and responded by replacing the entire spine; which tells you he hasn’t been happy with the players ability to execute.

I expect some twists and turns next year; not all these signings might work out; Newman has to get through a season fit; we need to resolve the futures of some young players and there are another slew of contracts ending next season. But I do believe the major surgery has just been done and for the next few years it should be a case of refining.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Oct 18, 2023 7:19 am  

Simmo71 wrote:

Well, got to hand it to GH, these are statement signings.
Just what we needed.

But still can't help thinking we are a prop short.
We spent most games last season getting rolled 70-80 metres every set.
And we've lost Tetevano and Walters.
The new sparkly backs are not likely to stop that.

A couple of injuries (which are inevitable) and Donaldson is at prop.

Totally agree here mate but we may have to wait until 2025 to sort the pack out fully. This is where for me we should not have retained Donaldson, Myler or Bentley and that would have given us enough room to bring in a quality senior prop.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Oct 18, 2023 7:22 am  

christopher wrote:

Don’t think we’ve really have had the funds available until now, but we have made some big signings in the last 5 years they’ve just not been the right ones, Rohan Smith could be a big part in that, he’s constantly talked about getting the ‘right’ players in

I have criticised GH heavily for past recruitment as he has been the common denominator. I do think the club has had financial woes during and after the stadium redevelopment; however clubs with less resources than Leeds have done better.

So I have to give credit to GH now by the same logic: however I think the majority of the choices here in new players are down to RS, and GH has supported him.