Re: Carney's comments, whilst the overall message was correct, he's clearly generalising from the perspective of a SL pundit who looks at lots of clubs, and glossing a lot of detail.

There have been multiple times when it has felt like Leeds were getting back to the top - 2017 GF, 2020 CC, and the 2022 GF - only for us to slide back into the doldrums and start again from scratch. There has been no sustained path to improvement in this time, and we feel as far away as ever (bar the Furner low point).

One problem is that for every good decision on recruitment and retention we seem to make a bad one, and these decisions are compounded by changing our big picture plans every 2 years when a new coach is appointed. Blease is clearly hoping that any short-term boost gained from Arthur will be built upon by him staying longer term, or through the appointment of a replacement that shares his vision and is capable of pushing us forward at the same time. What makes this more likely to be better than the past, aside from a different administrator calling the shots?

Unfortunately with the exception of a couple or three the players brought in by Smith are nowhere near good enough for a top 3 or 4 team.
We probably need at least 6 decent new recruits and are able to ship almost as many out.
Fusi, Momorovski, Frawley, Goudemand, Donaldson, maybe Sangare and if he doesn`t start playing to his strengths Newman need shipping out.
We then need props such as Belin maybe who is available next year, Sironen/ Fitzgibbon type second rowers and a decent centre maybe 2 along with an organising half back or Mikey Lewis type player.
No way this will happen but that`s how far I believe we are from a top 3 team.

I must have been on a different site then when I read posts insisting that we were progressing under smith and how we would put some big scores on sides 'when the pitches firmup'.

It’s been too cold and wet for us though Seth given we’ve had a poor summer…..Maybe it wasn’t Rohan’s fault after all……maybe it’s global warming we should be blaming

No, but it’s also the same site that people post that we wont win any of our next six games etc etc, they're just opinions, and they can turn out to be wrong.

I'd never make an arbitrary statement like we'll not win any of our next 6 games (I'll be honest I've not seen that one) but I will say from observation that I'd seen no evidence of progress when others insisted there was and could well say that 'i can't see us winning X if we play like that. which set of 'opinions' has been closer to the mark consistently over the last 18 months.

Youve never seen posters saying i cant see is winning our next 6 games?

I still say there has been progress in the last 18 months within the whole club but unfortunately it hasn’t manifested itself to performances in the first team and it’s cost the coach his job.

Im not sure what you’re after? A medal or something

I've seen 'i can't see us winning X playing like that's.

A big shiny medal if you wouldn't mind that says 'congratulations for stating the bleeding obvious '

Chev walker comes across so poorly in his interviews, I'd struggle to be motivated by him. The whole team look and play like he sounds, dreary with zero inspiration. I'll be really disappointed if him and grix are still here next season.

Thinking about this further, from smith downwards the dominant (or sole) philosophy of pragmatism, 'you're never as bad or as good as you think', is nice to have as a foundation in life and in sport but with leeds itseems like its bred a such a laid back culture that the desire that's essential at this level just isnt there. They seem like nice guys and go9d friends but almost too nice. I'm glad weve already heard BA mention accountability, and that's the 'kick up the ar se' I think is desperately needed.

If I were Brad Arthur and I was asked to submit an assessment of the current playing squad this is what I would say!

Keep

Millar
Handley
Croft
Oledski
Ackers
Martin
Lisone
Gannon


Jurys Out

Newman - cost injuries consistency
O Connor - size
Mcdonnell - impact go forward
Bentley - as above can only keep 1
Smith - Needs a clear role
Holroyd - injuries plus lack of yards

Go

Fusitua - injuries cost quota space
Momorovski - average for a quota spot
Frawley - no comment needed
Sangare - never going to be good enough
Goudamond - underwhelming squad player
Donaldson - good guy but times up
Roberts - younger players more potential in position
Hudson - pointless signing

Essentially there is an argument that two third of the squad are not good enough.Have not included the youngsters and Corey Johnson who would be in the July out pool.