Re: 2015 Leeds Rhinos Squad : Tue Nov 25, 2014 3:55 pm  

FarsleySteve wrote:

Plus he's just left me a voicemail (it was definitely not a generic pre-recorded message touting memberships to me, honest! ) telling me how much he wants me to be a part of his final year. So that must be that!!

Me too - awful diction

Re: 2015 Leeds Rhinos Squad : Tue Nov 25, 2014 8:37 pm  

I had two calls from JP today - one on my works phone and one on my mobile.

No sooner had he finished telling my why I should be joining him as a 'member' next year, then he called a colleague of mine and asked him the very same question - busy man our Jamie.

Re: 2015 Leeds Rhinos Squad : Wed Nov 26, 2014 12:10 am  

Remember the days when people used to get calls from Garry Schoefield

[Ex-Swarcliffe Rhino]

Re: 2015 Leeds Rhinos Squad : Wed Nov 26, 2014 11:33 am  

Mustve been a challenge trying to hear a slurring Garry over the clink of beer glasses and bustle of a pub.

Re: 2015 Leeds Rhinos Squad : Wed Nov 26, 2014 12:35 pm  

My mates wife once told him I've had a call from someone from leeds he said he wanted to talk to you .He said his name was Garry Schoefield , but he sounded stupid . my mate said sounds like Garry

Re: 2015 Leeds Rhinos Squad : Wed Nov 26, 2014 11:21 pm  

I hear Leeds won't be brow beaten or get into a bidding game if someone did become available.
If they don't want to come to Leeds on less money than they can get elsewhere then forget it says McDermott.
Now whilst that should be the way to go.
I can't help but think we are heading for a mighty fall with that sort of attitude.
Yes if we were ahead of the game and winning everything.
But we are on a downward slide and need to speculate to accumulate .
Players now don't see us as the team to play for. Youngsters unless exceptional will probably not be given a chance and slightly above average players like Taylor and Mossop will go where they can get a few grand more.
Those words from McDermott and the clubs philosophy could see the end of our successful era if we don't change our way of thinking.

Re: 2015 Leeds Rhinos Squad : Wed Nov 26, 2014 11:32 pm  

What BM means is that Leeds have a pay structure. Not "Leeds are so good you should be willing to play for peanuts." If we can fit three genuinely outstanding players in Hardaker, Watkins and Hall into that structure then its not far wrong - all three would be big targets for both RU and the NRL, never mind other SL clubs.

Changing 'that way of thinking' would kill the team culture. You bring in a Mossop on more than he'd get under the structure, the other players hear about it and next thing you know half the team would be chasing more pay.

Leeds are in transition. Paying over the odds for a couple of stars isn't the way to go.

Re: 2015 Leeds Rhinos Squad : Thu Nov 27, 2014 8:37 am  

If you don't pay the market rate for top talent you simply will not attract it. Perhaps the pay structure at Leeds is now too rigid and rewards longevity over talent. You can't expect to get an Aston Martin for the cost Ford - you might be able to get one for the cost of BMW if you have other things to offer e.g. top quality coach, superb stadium or a side up the up - Leeds have none of these.

This season could be a watershed that makes the management re-think its approach. Hopefully it will quash the arrogance that quite clearly exists within the senior coaching staff. After the second half of last season you would have thought a touch of humility might be in order. If I were McDermott I would be keeping a low profile until some tangible improvements have happened.

Given the number of phone calls, digital marketing efforts I have had from Leeds including JP's abysmal message it would suggest season ticket sales are not what the club expected.

Re: 2015 Leeds Rhinos Squad : Thu Nov 27, 2014 8:45 am  

I hate car analogies. However, anyone suggesting Mossop is an Aston Martin probably bought a Skoda in the 80s. He has never done anything, his injuries saved him from obscurity in Aus. Taylor is obviously killing time for a year, on as big a buck as possible, before going back to Hull. Breaking the bank for either would have been stupid. Who else Leeds have missed out on, who was worth splashing the cash on, I'm not sure.

Re: 2015 Leeds Rhinos Squad : Thu Nov 27, 2014 9:17 am  

tigertot wrote:

I hate car analogies. However, anyone suggesting Mossop is an Aston Martin probably bought a Skoda in the 80s. He has never done anything, his injuries saved him from obscurity in Aus. Taylor is obviously killing time for a year, on as big a buck as possible, before going back to Hull. Breaking the bank for either would have been stupid. Who else Leeds have missed out on, who was worth splashing the cash on, I'm not sure.

The issue with Mossop is completely different. He had a medical, we had already agreed terms, he chose to go to Wigan when they finally gave themselves some space to accommodate it.

The point is that Leeds know they need someone, yet have been so far behind the rest in awakening they are scrapping around to do a deal. The replacement prop should have been signed by Easter, not Christmas. The fact they are struggling to do a deal, despite knowing they need it, raises more questions than anything.