....I know that those in positions of power or authority do no always know best or make the most honourable, trusted, open decisions. Very often they are compromised by politics, vested interests and ulterior motives. I am not and never will be a slavish follower of somebody annointed reverently by others.



Those who I perceive ( I might, of course, be wrong ) to be of equal or similar status, with no compromises made on them by "authority" I do, yes, tend to trust more so.

So recruitment plans are on hold, then 2 days later we announce £1m to be spent on the pitch - plus the ongoing Southstand plans. I for one don't see any 'major' signing imminent, though I hope im wrong.

You're comparing two very different scenarios. When McGuire, Sinfield et al. were making their debuts we'd won one CC in a generation. We've since been witnessing the most successful side in our history. I'd have been disappointed if, for the sake of giving young players an extended run, we'd jeopardised that success. Consider last season: it could be argued that we should have rested/dropped senior players during the regular season in response to some abysmal performances. It's only my opinion but I reckon the season would have panned out very differently had we done so. The senior players dug the hole and subsequently hauled themselves out but it was a very, very close run thing and for me it required pretty much every one of those senior players to achieve it. To have replaced one or more of them would have been counterproductive and possibly disastrous.

Lastly, you mention recent proven models. Surely the most recent of all was last season's decision to stick with experience?

So it appears the new high profile signing is a pitch.



Interesting to see we just had the "looking for a big name signing" interview and the postman just delivered my membership renewal and season ticket detail.

You old cynic. Purely a coincidence.



Now get your chequebook out otherwise Gary won't be able to and if he can't it'll be all your fault.



__________







Indeed so.



Yet bizarrely according to the esteemed Mr Philip Clarke on Boots 'N All this week, his friends at Opta have Broughton and Hall as the two best performing wingers in SL this season (based on a myriad of key performance indicators - rather than some presumably prejudiced - the Leeds CEO has never made a mistake ever - type opinion.) One can only assume then that these same posters are placing Hall in a similar category to the one they wish to place Broughton in ..... surely not.



I on the other hand [size=150would[/size place them in similar categories while acknowledging they are different types of wingers - so were Alan Smith and John Atkinson and they formed an integral part of some great Leeds sides of the sixties and seventies.

IIRC at the time Broughton went to Salford we had Ryan Hall and Scott Donald at wing, with Watkins able to play there when fit and BJB the next 3/4 on the rank. Presumably a decision was made that BJB was the better prospect than Broughton, which may still turn out to be the case. You can't keep everyone, although I suppose keeping everyone would have spared us seeing Tom Bush and George Elliot in the Blue and Amber.



However who's to say that if BJB had gone to Salford instead he wouldn't be lighting up games while Broughton failed to improve under our current coaches?

At the time Jones-Bishop was seen as a full-back and being groomed as the natural successor to Webb so I wouldn't muddy the waters with his or Watkins ability to cover wing. All three played very effectively in their respective positions at Academy level and often did so in the same team. Without wishing to go over old ground (these discussions have taken place on here enough already, IMO) the choice appeared to lay somewhere between extending Donald's contract for 12 months and accomodating Broughton's degree course studies in Doncaster.



My view (purely from a distance) was that Leeds lost a potential future International and retained a player whose star was on the wane but who had just been removed from the overseas quotas which were allegedly tightening. Sometimes, if not always, there is more to making these decisions than meets the supporters eye. For me it was a case of history repeating itself (Cummins - Raynor) but who knows the whys and wherefores - not me that's for sure.

Did Broughton play for Salford at Headingley a few weeks ago?

I don't have problem with your beliefs, it's just you post them and post them and post them until we are all fed up with listening. You almost don't have to contribute to any thread because we already know what your stance is.

Only my opinion, but one thing I know for certain is that he is no Martin offiah. The players you refer to are all similar in standard maybe slighty better, maybe slightly worse, but they would make little or no difference. I see the need for change in some positions just like you but I am nor harping after players we used to have.



If we are bringing in new players they must improve the squad measurably.

Nantwich the post where our tell us out have never seen d smith play just tells me everything. They way you go on I wold have thought you were his dad.

There won't be any new signings until Hetherington's sorted things out behind the scenes.

What are those then BE?

Heard last night (from a usually good source) that the departure of Webb has been a bit messy behind the scenes. There's been a few ructions and stuff needs sorting out between some senior players and the coaching staff.

Coach and some senior players need to go anyway, so who cares.



Really what you see with things like that, is the downside of having a nucleus of players for a long period of time. The control of team affairs seems to move away from where it should be. Player power is a bummer.

Yes, keeping this nucleus of players has been an absolute disaster hasn't it........



Deary me, you get worse.

Did I say that?



Learn to read, or don't contribute. Simple really.

With you, it's never clear what you mean with what you type. Sometimes we have to part the fog.



Go on then, what did you mean by "downside of having a nucleus of players for a long period of time" and "player power is a bummer". Please, explain yourself.

To be honest the last 2 seasons have stunk of player power. First Seniors acrimonious departure, now Webbs. Does anyone know if Webb is really injured?



Danny Buderus autobiography went into detail of how Brian Smith was given the unenviable job of disassembling/rebuilding the Newcastle Knights squad, which was a similar squad to ours (in terms of number of through the ranks players) It would appear McDermott has been given a similar remit, with some of the senior players not liking seeing their buddies moved on.



Good luck Brian, as much as we all appreciate what this team has done for Leeds RL, we can't allow them to dictate how the club moves forward. Big changes ahead me thinks - its a good job Brian McD is no quitter, I'm sure many would have jumped already!

I don't really need to explain myself to you, but as I am a generous forgiving person I shall oblige good sir.



I simply meant what I said, a group of players together for a long time would resist changes in their group (this is no different in any everyday form). A sense of control sets in and they will resist.



Would you swap that potential problem for the success achieved? No you bloody wouldn't. But you still have to deal with the issues when they arrive. Small changes over a longer peirod of course reduces the potential of that problem having an impact. But should it happen it's a bummer.

So, in summary, the "upside" of a nucleus of players being together for a long time is 5 titles in 8 seasons. The "downside" is posters on an internet messageboard having to discuss unsubstantiated rumours of player power.



FWIW, having witnessed what these players have done and can do and having my own views on Brian McDermott's tactics and approach I'll be firmly in the players camp.



Also, FWIW, I heard the same rumour Bullseye did about how the Webb situation has been handled and, if that rumour is true, then the coach, and only the coach, is entirely to blame for loosing a dressing room that backed him to the hilt through all the adversity last season, lets not forget.

I have no idea on the rumour. However, I do know for a fact that the coach wanted to replace Webb at the end of last season, but was told by the board no, and was even instructed to pick him.



I can not give any support to McDermott what so ever, as I think he is clueless and should not be in the job he is in. I however feel, he, and he alone (as with any coach) should decide who plays, and whom plays where.

For reasons stated if there has been an element of trouble the it needs sorting out quickly. GH has dealt with similar issues before and I'm sure that between GH and BMcD they are/will sort it out. I would think it wont put a stop to departures/arrivals as for commercial/businesss reasons the club has to sell 10000+ season tickets plus all the other commercial packages for next season.

Can you blame McDermott for wanting rid of Webb, his attitude this season has been abysmal