I don’t disagree with you about the recruitment, which is in part down to the players that coaches want and these that GH makes available and signs.

I'd say we're all in violent agreement - Smith was part of the problem in terms of on field performance, and the squad is the other problem. However, Smith was also responsible for most of our squad being here, so our cruddy squad is also mainly down to his choices.

At least we've changed one variable - the coach. Now we can see the other problems more clearly. A small pack with very little punch, no punch at all in the backs to compensate, too many error-filled headless chickens across the board and no sign of any on field leadership. There really aren't many players in the whole first 17 I'd care about losing individually. Handley, Oledzki. Maybe Croft although he gets given a free ride too often for such a major signing. Pretty much every other player in the squad could be individually upgraded.

I'm not suggesting we can or should replace everyone. A big off season under Arthur would undoubtedly help change some players for the better, but it really looks as though we're far more than one or two signings away from being a top side.

I think that`s spot on OWL and of the 3 mentioned above I would add McDonnell and possibly O`Connor.
The rest bottom 4 standard at best.
I`m giving Croft the benefit of doubt but at a cost of 200k plus I`m sure a very high salary he should be doing better.
He was a stand out for Salford who let`s face it didn`t have the best pack in the world certainly on paper.
A big decision looming for BA as staying here next year could seriously damage his credentials or if successful would be high on the list of NRL suitors and would most probably leave us yet again looking for a coach.
For me I would look to get Holbrook on a 3 year deal.

Agree with most of the above.

I think there’s a magic tipping point in a team where you have just the right amount of high quality players to win more games than you lose; that then feeds into virtuous circles of confidence and every other player looks better too.

Practically we can either load the side up with more cheap punts/ projects (NoooOoOoOOoOooooo!!!) or focus on high quality and work with the youth. I’m very much a Camp B guy. Or just camp.

I feel sorry for Croft.
When you look at his trys / assists / stats they are pretty good despite how little attacking position we get.
Ypu can see how much it means to him to win, like in the Burrow Game.

I don't understand the fascination on here with Oldeski - he has been terrible for three years - his defence is suspect to say the least and his lack of go foward is a major comtibutory factor to the lack of progress the Rhinos are able to make

Lack of Go forward? He is consistently our only prop around/over the 100m benchmark. Defensively lacks real bang but is by no means an issue. Last year he wasn’t great but played most of the year busted and has needed time to get to speed this year, while still trying to carry the pack, arguably trying too hard.
In my opinion he has become a bit of a scapegoat and I’m not sure why.

He's our best prop by a considerable distance. I'm not sure how anybody could draw any other conclusion. Surround him with a couple of others of same, or better quality and our front row problems are at an end.

Personally I want to see Rowley at Leeds. I think he is a good fit for the club with no baggage. I think he will be good for bringing on academy players which is the only way we win anything. You can’t buy a team. Big name signings will destroy morale for the up and coming lads.
I don’t want an Aussie whose family may not settle.

Yep fully agree. For me the responsibility for the failure over these last 7 or 8 years is ultimately Hetherington. He made far too many mistakes with coaching and player recruitment. Rohan built this squad which is woefully inadequate and the players have been poorly coached which is plain to see. Whoever the next coach is, it’s a massive massive appointment and one we have to get right