The re-calibration of expectations was done at the end of 2015, and your last paragraph is exactly what has been called for since then. Unfortunatley, the set up doesn't act in the right manner to do that, but had they done then the expectations would be about right now going forward.

Hetherington's no idiot so I'm sure he's as aware of the shortcomings of the squad.

Recruitment from overseas is arguably more difficult what with the difference in cap and strength of the pound and only likely to get harder.

I'd expect Leeds to make domestic based signings if any.

The point was how you recruit. A proper plan would have had that transistion in place, instead of a wait and see. The much called about Junior development on here that never happened, but like you now say needs to happen. All this out of date, to a proactive management it would have been put in place previously.

Back under the bridge for you now, the 3 billy goats will be along in a moment, psst look out for the 3rd one

I don't think we are a million miles off. winger to replace Briscoe, a controlling half back, prop and second rower.
I know we have a few props and second rowers but they are much of a muchness. no mongrel in there, no second rowers who run wide either.
4 players, the right players, and we won't be far off

Good points and you are right.

Personally i recalibrated by end of last year. This year has taken me a bit by surprised, we are not the second best side in SL imo but we find ourselves with a great unexpected opportunity still this year sitting in second place with a real chance of being one home win from OT.

Moving forward, while i don't think we will fall off a cliff i think it could be a little while before we contend for the trophies but i can accept that.

theres no doubt saints and warringtons poor form, and wigans injuries have helped, in fact they've helped all the teams at the top, just as our injuries helped others last year. but you can only win your games and we have done that.
however this team has certainly exceeded my expectations.
I honestly had no idea where they would end up. anywhere between 9th and 3rd would have been my guess.
fair play to all concerned for finishing second.
however this is where the real work begins. I think we can reach old Trafford but I still think it will hard work, even given our points total. we've had four huge games this year and lost all 4. and for me its little things that need to change, a little bit smarter with and without the ball. a better kicking game.

The pack got mullered as a group for most of the game. Without a Peacock leading from the trenches we can see just how ordinary most of our forwards are. Individually they are all OK, but as a group really not good enough. I personally quite like the Myler and Dwyer signings for next year as they point to a real change in direction, but IMO we need to start freshening up the pack pronto.

What we are absolutely screaming out for is a tackle-breaking forward - ideally two. Ferres could have played that role to a degree, but given the shape he's in I can't see it. Delaney is shot, Ablett has been really poor for several years IMO, Cuthbertson's offloads are non-existent in big games and the rest are grafters at best. We need forwards who do some damage with and without the ball.

Anyway, on the whole I'd say this season hasn't been disappointing and won't be even if we end up 4th or worse. IMO its realistically about where our team is at, and its actually not a bad place to build from. I still think we could have started the process earlier, but hey ho.

For all the slating of the teams ability this is still a side and coach who had an 8-0 record against Hull & Radford prior to Saturday so can't all be too bad, even when we were dreadful last year we did the double over Hull and they were the only team not to beat us in an awful season for us....before anyone says meaningful games Hull could've won the LLS if they got past us in 2016.

I think more credit has to be given to Hull, they've got a confidence in the cup that can't be denied. Us, Cas, Wigan, Wire and Saints have all been beaten in the last 18 months. Sometimes a team find a groove, Wire in the cup 2009-2013 and us at Old Trafford for nearly a decade.

Like mentioned earlier we had an 8-0 streak against Hull, we have a similar record vs Cas but in the negative column, would finally snapping that record in the playoffs call for the head of Powell, Gale and Co?

Last year was a freak due to the floods no matter how much anyone mocks as clearly shown by our 2nd place now. Let's be realistic dropping back into the pack was always likely after Leeds lost such special players.....(players which certain fans said should go at the end of 2013 & 2014 and thus not lead us to a treble btw although they'll deny it)

Does the club always make the right decision on recruitment and retention? No, no club does but it hasn't done too bad now has it and let's not pretend that most of the keyboard CEO's on here would've made poor calls wrt to ditching older players pre 2015 treble.

Honestly it's not "always sticking up for the club" it's just st giving them enough credit because they have deliver more success than we could've dreamt of.

I'm not an apologist, I just realise (maybe because I work with several Wakey fans) that I'm so fortunate to have Leeds ced through our clubs greatest era.....most fans don't get to experience that. I hear Hudds fans talk about winning all the trophies 100 years ago even though they weren't born for 50 years later. Guys my age born in the mid 80's saying how the likes of Billy Bremner or Norman Hunter are their favourite ever United players even those that they never got the chance to see them live and experience their success live at the time.

This club isn't perfect, it's doesn't get every decision right.......but by god it's given us more memories in that the last 15 years than most other sports fans will get in a lifetime even if they're lucky enough to follow for 80/80 years.

I'm not saying don't be critical of poor showings, but when it gets to slander and unfounded accusations and muck slinging about them just because they don't run the club how you'd like them it's too far.

They've given us enough good times to deserve more respect than they're getting.

On the one hand, you're right, some posters on here were beefing about the club in 2003 for christ sake, and they haven't changed the record much since. I am grateful for the club have achieved and to everyone who has played a part in that, including BM. However, it seems clear to me that we do not have the resources in hand or, due to constraints arising from the ground redevelopment, the financial ability to readily change that situation. What we can do, for a less significant investment, is get a new coach who can make the best of what we have.

For some time now, there have been significant deficiencies in our attack and defence. Until we manage or resolve these problems, getting spanked in big games is going to be a regular occurrence. Personally, I don't mind losing, as long as we were not embarrassed. I have seen some posts suggesting that we could get to OT and, quite frankly, I'd rather not get there, if we are going to get fifty put past us by Castleford.