Nothing like staying positive

Is that the case though? I see quality when I watch the Leeds team. I also see a team devoid of ideas though and against well structured defences, that comes down to the coaching staff. I have never seen so many young, quality outside backs at Leeds in 1 time period before though and we look pretty good in that department. The forwards arent bad and if we have got Griffin then he's a good addition. Amor has been ripping it up Wakey and Amblers not been doing a bad job either. I just dont see the point in spending money on someone when in reality, the kids we have arent far off (if not as good/better) as the standard thats available. The thing about the young ones too is that they will put everything into thier game to prove themselves which sometimes you dont get with overseas signings.



We have a good group of youth which yes, probably arent ready to win anything yet, but look like they have the potential to achieve big things in the future. Why look short term and spend cash on averageness when we can develop these quality kids and add a couple of stars next year for the season after?



This is just my viewpoint and I know as fans we want things to happen immediately but we have to look at the next 5-10 years. Is signing a 30 year old OOC Aussie who's not good enough for the NRL really going to benefit us in 2 or 3 years time?

Exactly like that! So you've been reading "Rugby League CEO for Dummies" too?!

It's also used so that the top news story on the front page of the website doesn't stay as "Rhinos unlucky at Wembley!" for too long, and is quickly replaced with "Rhinos sign <generic>".

I agree with this in principle, and I don't feel the need to bring in a load of average players for the sake of it. I think we need another prop, and I'm happy for that to be Amor. If Griffin signs too, fair enough, provided he's not costing us too much.



Back-row we look pretty strong, although I still wonder where our game-breaker is. Pitts has some of the tools to do that, in that he's quick and looks a good athlete, but still lacks experience. Any old random signing doesn't solve that, so no to signing for signing's sake, but if top quality is available at the right price you should always be interested.



We also still look light at centre. Watkins is the real deal, and we need him to stay injury free. That leaves a gap though, and I think our other outside backs (exciting prospects as they are) are not centres. We need investment in some quality. Nobody ancient, but somebody with a bit of experience to offer some leadership to our three-quarter line would be good.



The Buderus question also still hangs. I'm not sure what's going on with McShane, but it seems like the club may not see him as the future. If Buderus stays then the current thing of resting home for 20 minute spells and using Burrow at DH works quite well, with Hood to come through. If Buderus goes and the club don't see McShane as the replacement for whatever reason, then we would need to recruit IMO.



Beyond that, we're basically OK, but as ever if top quality is available and then you can afford it, you should go with it and find room for that player. For instance, I don't think we need a half back, but if a real star were available (especially one with a top class kicking game, or just real game-changing ability) then I wouldn't rule it out. In short, I'm more than happy with McGuire and Burrow, but if Chase or Brough were to be available (hypothetical, as I don't think they are) then I'd be happy to see the club find space for them.



With another year on the youngsters and some cohesion and strategy in the side, we could certainly be doing a lot better than we are.

It's a good job Leeds didn't take that attitude when they signed David Furner.



The right 30-plus antipodean could be just the trick to provide some of the current crop of young players with an example to follow, much as Buderus has done with his attitude and work-rate on the field.

its interesting you think filling a few skill positions equates to signing 30 OOC aussies, think much of GH do you? Call it a luxury but having a proper centre on the books wouldnt go a miss.

In principle I too agree with Harrigan ( of course )....but equally the club should aim high in signing more older Buderus-like-quality if it becomes available.



I see ABSOLUTELY no value in the recently speculated signings which will do no better a job than what the club presently has on the books .. and that includes Griffin. ( I am purposely overlooking the retention of Kirke in making that statement ). Moore and Karl Pryce would be the worst yet if this club claims any ambition above mid table mediocrity.



Centre, half-back and another " Ali clone " remain priorities IMHO



... but PLEASE no more Delaneys or Haurakis ( or bluddy useless Kirkes ) who do not enhance the squad in any HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT manner whatsover.

Did you actually read my whole post or just decide to take that one bit out.





I said, theres no point spending for spendings sake. Unless we have signed them and kept it quiet there is no quality in key positions out there at the moment. I said save the money and then next year, bring in a couple of quality key players for the season after. The OOC 30 year old player reference was aimed at whats available at the moment and is something we should strive to stay away from.



edit: aimed at the 2 posters above you Nantwich

I assume this is the reason Hauraki was signed for...obviously he's not yet lived up to it but his flaws seem to be in his basics defensively and that a a tenancy to force the play too much in attack...he is still relatively young and fairly inexperienced so I guess time will tell if he can iron that out and become a valuable strike player



Of course the problem is that game-breaker back rowers are pretty hard to find, so if Hauraki can't kick on it's hard to see where else we can look

Like rocking horse poop. As Harrigan says, if we can't find what we need then no sense spending our cash on something else just for the sake of it.

I honestly believe we only signed Weller on the back of one good game against us last year.

Which ever way you look at it with the release of Burgess, Senior, Ali, Cross leaves the squad weakened. And what if Buderus leaves?? Good signings must be made and even with the players that have signed new deals we must have oodles of cap space free surely... and if not why/how the hell not!!??

Leeds utd have spent nowt, the moment dont look as we are going to spend anything /invest ,sign good players.Its not looking good.

We're not competing this year. We don't look like improving the squad. Our players will be another year older. And the other squads have strengthened.



"It's not looking good" is what I'd call an understatement!



£60 season ticket for 2013 anyone?

Good points H ,but like some have replied i'd personally like a centre (not another 30+ aussie) unless it was gonna be Cooper.

I do also agree we have some great young outside backs and there are 2/3 below them aswell imo but the pack could do with freshening up aswell hopefully with an Ali type clone.

I agree that we shouldn't be making signings for the sake of it, who are not good enough but Leeds have surely been aware with what they were going to do with Senior and Lauitiiti and should have searched early for possible replacements.

Moore has signed

Now he does look too old for SL

Warrington also made him an offer.

i actually think that Moore is a far better player than Kylie without a doubt

so do we wish to condemn the signing of moore or the re signing of Kylie?

Good point...re-signing him ( Kirke and Webb too ) is baffling..



Either way it puts Ambler and Amor back to the-start-of-2011-square-one pecking order I presume ? Hugely disappointing.

Don't tell nantwich, but win or lose the CC, and even if new signings have been lined up for next year, I think there's some value in playing some of younger players for the remaining couple of games. I don't mean throwing 10 kids in to get hammered, but we may as well get a look at some of the prospects.



Since 2008 when Watkins, BJB and Burgess got their first chance, we've only given debuts to McShane and Clarkson who have gone on to be at least semi-regulars. Singleton may be a good prospect, but its hard to tell. In any event its hardly a great track record in youth development - there's been a centre spot and at least one place in the pack available for most of that time if a class kid came along.

For me we don't really need any new forwards unless they are class, Lets give the young guys a chance to freshen us up. Its dissapointing this year that dispite poor form we have not given the young guys a proper chance. mcshane was playing well in the dual role, not seen him much since, Ambler was doing fine 2010 shipped out to give him more experience, Amor was a rough diamond but look what he's been doing in a poor side at Wakey, Pitts what has he done wrong but can't get a run of games then we start to get rumours of mediocre signings, could go down as a year of wasted talent, just look at saints and wigan how far have the youngsters progressed