Listening to BA presser, I think people might be disappointed if they think there will be a lot of changes

We'll see a couple of quality additions, but the main change will be a really hard off season. When you add Holroyd and Gannon (hopefully) into the mix we don't look too bad off for numbers, particularly in the back row - Bentley, McDonnell, Gannon, Littlewood and Ruan seems like plenty. If we sign a back rower as well as a prop I'd be surprised if all of them are here next year, as they won't all get many games.

We'll no doubt see some players thrive on a tougher pre season, and others not so much, but the team as a whole will be a lot more energetic and able to play to the style Arthur wants for longer.

A shame Hudson hasn't worked out. I assume he's asked for a release because he's nowhere near getting a game despite us having only two fit props. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.

Not sure if we have an injury thread. Apparently Holroyd and Handley out for reastr of season

Had heard that Hudson was given 2 weeks off recently to go on holiday and 'recharge' despite being back fully fit and ready for full training, this being during our prop injury crisis too. So his release isn't much of a surprise.

Yeah Rohan’s recruitment has left us in a pickle for a year or 2….

I honestly don't think we need a lot of changes, though. A couple of key additions plus a hard preseason will see us a completely different proposition.

Yes I posted it on the Cats at home thread.

Holroyd can't be relied up. Neither can Gannon. All for RCG and Matterson.

Those two would make a huge difference

Under BA, and with his work on the rest of the squad, we'd be transformed.

What this team needs more than anything is a serious half back that can organise the attack - Croft is OK but he is not an organiser. Neither Frawley nor Sinfield are of sufficient quality to propel the team into the top 4.

All I here on here is a clamour for more props - how many do you need? Given the backs seem to do all the yard making what are they actually bringing to the party?

In answer to your question, a minimum of six of a good standard. We currently have four (I'm very generously including Sangare in that) and are also getting rid of Donaldson and Hudson from this years squad. For context Wigan are in double figures. Our backs do so much yardage work in the absence of forwards who can. We'll get a chance to revisit half back at the end of 25 when Frawley is OOC.

Of the genuine Props we have, I'd say only Oledski is of the right quality. Holroyd is injured too frequently missing lots of games, Lisone is good for 15 minute spells but isn't fit, Sangare is less fit than Lisone and I'd question his application and attitude, then we are into players who are not genuine props.

I'd happily replace Sangare and Lisone, and Holroyd needs to prove he can get (and stay) on the field.

We need at least 2 props before any of the above leave, and some should be leaving if we are serious about winning things.

Half backs need the platform to perform. We are woefully short in the forwards, that needs addressing first and foremost.

You ask how many props do we need, well at one point and for quite a long time on Saturday we didn't have any on the pitch, I'd say we need more than that.

A new half wont be on the agenda for for 2025.The halfs will be better if the pack sets a platform.

Absolutely right Chris, without more grunt in the front row, that can dominate the opposition and win collisions, we could have Wally Lewis and Peter Sterling at halfback and still lose most games. Conversely, get the front row right and Frawley in particular will look better than he has at any point this season. He might not be the answer to our halfback conundrum, but we're not giving him much of a chance right now either.

Couldn’t agree more. 6 is the minimum. Preferably 6 and a couple of kids.

The last time we won the GF, we had Singo, Garbutt, Mullaly, Cuthbo, plus Ferres who played more as a middle.

Looking at the squad, we had Galloway, jjb who probably played more as a middle, ormandroyd, baldwinson and Mik in the squad for the year.

The most recent challenge cup win we had Mik, Ava, Prior, cuthbertson and Donaldson. The wider squad included Crosby, Albert, Mustapha, Holroyd and Walters. Granted some of them won’t have played a great deal, but that in itself makes a point.

Ultimately look at the last few grand finalists and winners, Wigan, saints, Catalan. Big pack with strength in depth.

I’de be looking to do the same. Given we had no props on the bench v Wire and Goudemand was left out , it does not say much for his impact.

Hall in for Fusi
Martin, Donaldson, Roberts, Corey Johnson, hopefully Hudson plus Olpherts salary should all be available to spend.

Whether we can move others on , who knows.

Recruiting quality over numbers is key . 2 quality forwards hopefully , possibly 3 if we can make cap space.

A tough preseason and fingers crossed with Gannon and Holroyd. Agree with a few others, we should be a much better outfit.

Shouldn't there be some money from Hooley and possibly Myler leaving too?

For me any player with less than 50% appearance record should be moved on regard less of age or potential. we are carrying too many sick notes, Fusi, Holroyd, Gannon, Simpson (not played for 2 years) Warren, Hudson. Plus a few others, that least 6 players sat in the stands who have hardly played 2 seasons between them.
There’s sticking by players then there’s just ridiculous. Thats enough salary for 2 really good props or 3 very solid forwards.

If a young player has a bad injury we should move them on? Don't be ridiculous

And the two actual props available didn't make 100m in the game between them! 4 of Leeds back 5 apart from the one made of glass all carrier the ball 100m plus and thats the issue. We could sign the worlds best scrum half and they would struggle to spare a back line that is knackered from doing the forwards work for them.

It's not a fantasy league though. Your approach would leave us in a massive hole regards recruitment, as well as throwing out the babies with the bath water. How will we ever attract young players to the club if we kick them out ( at our expense) at the first sign of adversity? Allowing for the players from the 24 squad who have left and are likely to leave - Myler, Olpherts, Martin, Fus, Donno, Hudson, Roberts - I reckon we have maybe 400k to spend even allowing for the arrival of Hall. To my mind that's probably a marquee prop, another prop and maybe a second row if we can make a European player (Bousquet?) part of the equation. That, in my opinion, makes us a very competitive outfit next year.

I'd love to sign RCG, but don't think it's realistic. Arthur will have some players in mind, and Blease has said today in the media that we're honing in on an overseas target for next season already.

Tetavano is a cautionary tale to not spend over the odds on a big name overseas prop on extender money. Hopefully we get the sensible balance of cost, quality and age.

But its not the first sign of adversity is it, we have given out extended contracts to some of these sick notes hence why our cap is in bits,
Hudson never played super league ever and was injured for 12 previous months, and we give him a contract, utter madness Simpson not played for 2 years, thats not a bit of adversity thats a player who might never play at the super league level or ever again.