I’m just seeing a side which should finish top half this year, but lacks the quality to challenge for any trophies. It doesn’t really matter where we finish outside the top 4 or so sides, we are players and possibly a new coach short.

Next year we have to be contenders. The remainder of this season, and the incoming SD is pivotal, needs to be focused on that outcome.

We will want to finish in the play offs and have a dig but I want to see us make some significant steps forward for 2025. It’s within reach at least now.

I would say reasonable evidence of progress is to win (and improve) in each of the next three games, build from that with a top six finish and start notching wins against the better sides (KR, Catalans, Wire), and then give it a proper dig in the play offs. My worry would still be - where is the improvement coming from in 25? If Rhyse stays we'll likely only have one quota spot to play with. I'd say we are at least two props and probably a second row short of having a pack that can compete with the elite. The new DR is going to have to have a few tricks up his sleeve.

I’m not too fussed whether it’s 2 props or a prop and a back row, but we need at least 2 additional forwards who are able to dominate. I think the trickle-down effect is significant - we lose 2 lower impact forwards from the squad and replace with real high quality players.

I think we need a new 7, Frawley isn’t a title winning half for me and Sinfield is still undercooked as a starting 7 for Leeds.

Even then we would need the younger players to improve over the next 8 months to put some pressure on and provide effective cover.

Ultimately the problem remains the same though. Even if we release Frawley we still need a better half. That half is coming from the NRL so bang goes our quota spot. 2023 was our big year in the recruitment cycle with 24 being more a finishing touches exercise. As it stands we are not in that position. That's why, sadly, I keep coming back to a new coach being the most likely accelerator of significant progress on the field.

When does this get announced? is it the 7th?

So Fus probably gives us an NRL prop/second row.

Frawley out early would be likely another OS 7. I think we just got the wrong one.

Martin may well be tempted to NRL and he’s only worth so much to keep for Leeds. If he goes we can replace with a larger specimen.

It’s way more likely we’d have one of Bentley/McDonnell/Goudemand/ Gannon/ another academy lad plus a new high quality overseas second row to replace Martin.

Much will depend on who is available. I’m more bothered about the quality of the players than the quantity or whether it’s 2 props or a prop and a back row.

Martin is a very difficult player to replace. He can play two positions to a high standard and I would say he's the best goal kicker in the league. He's certainly our most consistent player. Replacing him would be a task in itself. I know we'll get another prop with the Fus spot, but I just don't think it's enough. Think we'll have to look to France to get another.

When is Lisone's deal up? We should get more for a quota player than 15-20 minutes of lottery every week. He's way behind the likes of Paasi for Saints, whereas players like Prior and Seumanufagai were much better value back in the Agar days.

The news of Rob makes things very insignificant tbh

But, it was nice to at least win last night. You can only beat what's in front of you A few lads stood around me were saying 'Yeh well it's Cas and we should be beating em' I sort of agree to some extent, plus it should have been a lot more comfortable. But in a way the lads cant win! You lose they get lambasted, you win, they get lambasted.

I thought the atmosphere was flat yesterday and not many chants about players. I dunno maybe I am looking into stuff too much.

Anyways we won, onwards.

We are looking to France aint we after that big lump from the dragons