Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 19, 2023 8:28 am  

Looking forward to the arrival of Gourmand to see what he has to serve up.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 19, 2023 9:08 am  

Important that our first choice players get as many minutes as possible in pre-season. Winning Losing becomes a habit and we messed about in pre-season games last year and carried a losing habit into the season.
In terms of recruitment another prop would be the icing on the cake but the general consensus that we need one also highlights that our existing 4 rotations need to kick on as based on age profiles we are not that different to Wigan just have less numbers. Lisone is 29 and Oledski and Sangare 25 ( same age as Matty Lees) with only Holroyd still at the younger end.
If Oledski can rediscover his form and we can get more minutes out of Sangare and Lisone who have the size we won't be far away. I actually think Goudrmond will surprise people he is a really solid player who while not the biggest is one of those who carries his weight well.
We are all hoping for Sutton but he is lighter than the 4 props we currently have and similar stature to Lees.
Admittedly in fantasy land Burgess is a complete difference and a game-changer.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 19, 2023 10:01 am  

KaeruJim wrote:

If we could just manage another hard hitting beasty prop, in addition to Hudson, I'd be prepared to lose a couple of other fringe players to make room...

I expect Mik, Tom, Sam and Justin to play well next season but I do think we'd look much better with another metre-making awkward thing down the middle. In fact to the point where I'd be feeling quite cocky about our chances in 2024.

Our second rowers tend to be mobile grafters so our props need to provide mass.

Said it already but I really think this signing spree represents Leeds finally turning the corner. We need some luck with injuries like anyone, but this squad now has a vein of quality running through it again. I reckon we just need one or two graduating from the academy system each year and we're looking pretty rosy again. Quality breeds quality: we're already seeing how much more attractive Leeds is to players as soon as we look like we're competitive again. That feeds through into the young players too, being around top class players.

Yeah agree Jim, good post. We've not looked like an attractive club to play for in recent years and that starts to damage the academy and the first team.. and we've seen good players we would have normally kept leave which when we were in our pomp very very rarely happened as we could 9 times out of 10 retain who we wanted to retain because of the great culture and competing at the right end of the table.

Good players certainly rub off on other players and make those around them better and raise their game. I was watching England Football earlier this week and Jude Bellingham's presence just lifts all around him, absolutely world class. I thought it was a good example and reminded me of the golden years at the Rhinos.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 19, 2023 5:55 pm  

Exeter Rhino wrote:

Looking forward to the arrival of Gourmand to see what he has to serve up.

Do not get too excited , he is an expensive squad filler who would not get in the best 17 without injuries

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 19, 2023 6:32 pm  

Apparently where in for a prop and winger wonder who they are

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 19, 2023 6:40 pm  

Dannyhope wrote:

Apparently we`re in for a winger wonder who that is

Olpherts twin brother.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 19, 2023 7:34 pm  

Dannyhope wrote:

Apparently where in for a prop and winger wonder who they are

Who has said that?

[Frosties.]

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 19, 2023 8:39 pm  

Dannyhope wrote:

Apparently where in for a prop and winger wonder who they are

Well that will add depth for sure. I would guess the prop is Hudson and I’ll have a stab on the winger and say Greg Eden

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Oct 20, 2023 1:50 am  

Do we really need a winger even if Olpherts leaves? We've got Roberts and Simpson who could cover there (Roberts for sure, and maybe some other juniors like Edgell?). There's a risk if one of Fus/Handley gets injured, but getting good quality to play reserves would be very hard. I just can't see us being willing to pay much.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Oct 20, 2023 6:27 am  

ArthurClues wrote:

Who has said that?

An article I’d seen some where a prop would be nice but not sure we need another wing ?