Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Fri Jul 30, 2021 2:52 pm  

Exeter Rhino wrote:

He's far from a disaster IMO. Joe Vickery has no relevance as a comparison. I'm more interested in whether he's a Jordan Lilley (not good enough) or a Luke Gale (good player Leeds originally let go because of senior competition).

I can see that the way things are going, it doesn't look great for McClelland. His last injury layoff was really badly timed, since if he was available he might have had a chance to show us what he can do. The games he played with second string teams last season didn't really give him a chance to show us much, at least not on attack, playing as he was behind a well beaten pack.

With no reserves, McClellands's only hope is that he can get enough first team game time to show us something, otherwise it is off on loan or a permanent move to another club. Much depends on how well he's rated by the coaching staff. If he's the prospect he's cracked up to be Leeds would be wise to give him more game time before letting him go, unless they've made a decision based on how he trains that he's not worth a punt.

I suspect he's a goner at Leeds. Austin's impending arrival leaves him nowhere to go. He's had some bad luck no doubt, but he will be 22 in September. Plenty of other younger halves at other clubs seem way ahead of him. Looked pretty good at Fev a couple of seasons ago, but to my eyes he lacks the speed of thought and execution required for a top line half, which is the only kind we should be interested in.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Fri Jul 30, 2021 5:47 pm  

Brodie123 wrote:

The sooner he goes the better , what a turn around when he went off

he's not the messiah he's a very chubby boy as terry jones might have said , shame be good to have another british half back

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Fri Jul 30, 2021 7:07 pm  

Exeter Rhino wrote:

He's far from a disaster IMO. Joe Vickery has no relevance as a comparison. I'm more interested in whether he's a Jordan Lilley (not good enough) or a Luke Gale (good player Leeds originally let go because of senior competition).

I can see that the way things are going, it doesn't look great for McClelland. His last injury layoff was really badly timed, since if he was available he might have had a chance to show us what he can do. The games he played with second string teams last season didn't really give him a chance to show us much, at least not on attack, playing as he was behind a well beaten pack.

With no reserves, McClellands's only hope is that he can get enough first team game time to show us something, otherwise it is off on loan or a permanent move to another club. Much depends on how well he's rated by the coaching staff. If he's the prospect he's cracked up to be Leeds would be wise to give him more game time before letting him go, unless they've made a decision based on how he trains that he's not worth a punt.

Nailed it there with regards to McLelland as he hasn't had the best of luck since he joined us to show us what he could do and also whilst being whilst fully fit.
He certainly cant be classed as a disaster signing though? (Very Harsh)
I've heard that he's going back to Castleford and that the club have known this for quite some time too?
Only time will tell how good McLelland will turn out to be but I hope that he' s more Luke Gale than Jordan Lilley

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Sat Jul 31, 2021 6:32 am  

Exeter Rhino wrote:

He's far from a disaster IMO. Joe Vickery has no relevance as a comparison. I'm more interested in whether he's a Jordan Lilley (not good enough) or a Luke Gale (good player Leeds originally let go because of senior competition).

I can see that the way things are going, it doesn't look great for McClelland. His last injury layoff was really badly timed, since if he was available he might have had a chance to show us what he can do. The games he played with second string teams last season didn't really give him a chance to show us much, at least not on attack, playing as he was behind a well beaten pack.

With no reserves, McClellands's only hope is that he can get enough first team game time to show us something, otherwise it is off on loan or a permanent move to another club. Much depends on how well he's rated by the coaching staff. If he's the prospect he's cracked up to be Leeds would be wise to give him more game time before letting him go, unless they've made a decision based on how he trains that he's not worth a punt.

I agree with all that.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:02 am  

If Leeds have had a bit of warning about the potential for the league going down to 10 teams from 2023 onwards it perhaps explains why the 2022 squad is shaping up into quite an expensive and full one, by Leeds standards. The club will not want to get close to being one of the four teams relegated next year.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:50 am  

They won't relegate 4 clubs. We all know that.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Sat Jul 31, 2021 9:31 am  

The Ghost of '99 wrote:

If Leeds have had a bit of warning about the potential for the league going down to 10 teams from 2023 onwards it perhaps explains why the 2022 squad is shaping up into quite an expensive and full one, by Leeds standards. The club will not want to get close to being one of the four teams relegated next year.

Dont think we are building a side just to stay clear of a relegation fight, we are building a title challenge side for 2022 and onwards.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Sat Jul 31, 2021 9:55 am  

rollin thunder wrote:

Dont think we are building a side just to stay clear of a relegation fight, we are building a title challenge side for 2022 and onwards.

100% - you can see Agar has ambitions even for this year (and why not), but with Sezer, Bentley, maybe Austin in for next year Leeds mean business now. Great to see us in a good spot again after such a tough few years.

Honestly with the pack we're developing, combining them with two high quality half backs will transform us. We will be tough to beat next year IMO.

The main question for me is around retention, particularly of Hurrell. Said before but if he was less clumsy and had better football brains, he would be in the NRL rather than over here because he's so hard to handle in attack. Don't know if I've ever seen such a rocks and diamonds player at Leeds before.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Sat Jul 31, 2021 10:07 am  

rollin thunder wrote:

Dont think we are building a side just to stay clear of a relegation fight, we are building a title challenge side for 2022 and onwards.

That's very true, but signing Blake Austin on a one-year contract would be an interesting move.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Sat Jul 31, 2021 10:50 am  

KaeruJim wrote:

100% - you can see Agar has ambitions even for this year (and why not), but with Sezer, Bentley, maybe Austin in for next year Leeds mean business now. Great to see us in a good spot again after such a tough few years.

Honestly with the pack we're developing, combining them with two high quality half backs will transform us. We will be tough to beat next year IMO.

The main question for me is around retention, particularly of Hurrell. Said before but if he was less clumsy and had better football brains, he would be in the NRL rather than over here because he's so hard to handle in attack. Don't know if I've ever seen such a rocks and diamonds player at Leeds before.

Well if Austin signs then one of three off contract players has to leave regardless. Hurrell for mine looks a player fast in decline.We have 3 other centres vying for 2 spots and two others in Hall and Edward's. Martin is playing well but we have added Bentley plus we have younger second rowers who need game time. Vuniyayawa has done well probably not on a fortune and is playing in a position where we are not overly stocked. Im sure all will be revealed soon.