Re: Hopes for 2019 : Thu Nov 15, 2018 7:25 am  

Compete in every game, no quitting like we’ve seen in the last couple of years.

Blood more youngsters, to prepare them for the future.

Play to a structure, with attacking options, for a brand of rugby that excites the fans.

Prepare for 2020 much earlier than we have prepared for the next seasons in the last few years.

Re: Hopes for 2019 : Thu Nov 15, 2018 9:57 am  

batleyrhino wrote:

Compete in every game, no quitting like we’ve seen in the last couple of years.

Blood more youngsters, to prepare them for the future.

Play to a structure, with attacking options, for a brand of rugby that excites the fans.

Prepare for 2020 much earlier than we have prepared for the next seasons in the last few years.

Thing is, it's hard to do all these things in a side that's regularly getting spanked. Blooding youngsters works best when they're joining a confident and winning core side I think. Otherwise they have suffocating pressure put upon them.
The club will talk about rebuilding etc. but don't buy it: the squad they're putting together won't be fully fledged for 2019, but they will absolutely be aiming to win silverware again. Crosby is a 50:50 "new" signing: but Lolohea, Hurrell, Merrin, McLelland (less so admittedly) will have a big bearing on performances. We're pretty much changing 1/3 of the starting team and have a new coach - everything is up in the air. Also expecting better input from Ward, Ferres, Peteru, (Watkins) and Oledzki, Walker and Smith are another year developed.
The squad was shot to sh|t from halfway through last season, a full pre-season will do everyone the world of good. I also think if we can put a pack together that goes forward consistently, we'll see much more from the hookers and halves.

Re: Hopes for 2019 : Thu Nov 15, 2018 10:01 am  

Of course if we don't fully hit out straps in 2019, it's far less likely we'll be dragged down into a relegation dogfight, which gives more room to breathe.
I just don't think for a second that Leeds will be planning to throw 2019 before it even starts: they are seriously smarting, pride dented, and are clearly throwing money at the problem. The only thing stopping me being more confident is the extra prop I think we need, the sheer scale of change in one off-season, and the fitness question marks we have over existing and new players.

Re: Hopes for 2019 : Thu Nov 15, 2018 12:05 pm  

with Merrin and possible one more to come in next year looks a lot better all ready. definitely think we will be pushing for playoffs.

Re: Hopes for 2019 : Thu Nov 15, 2018 12:12 pm  

To be entertained rather than being depressed.

Re: Hopes for 2019 : Thu Nov 15, 2018 12:14 pm  

Just walking away from the ground after a match not feeling gloomy and pessimistic will be nice. Top 6 and some entertaining rugby, with 100% from the players will do me.

Re: Hopes for 2019 : Thu Nov 15, 2018 12:22 pm  

You're all too pessimistic One good prop, and other teams will be looking at this Leeds side with some trepidation for the first time in years, there will be threat across the park.

Re: Hopes for 2019 : Thu Nov 15, 2018 1:05 pm  

going to take some time to bring this team together and get them playing as a feared unit but I hope to have other teams dreading playing us by the business end of the season.
I agree with everyone else that we still need a good prop but I'm happy for them to come in during the season, obviously would prefer them to get a pre-season in with the rest of the team
I just want to walk away from Headingly knowing that I've seen a good game and a 100% commited squad. I don't expect fireworks early on but i think that is in line with where the club are trying to get to

Re: Hopes for 2019 : Thu Nov 15, 2018 1:08 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

You're all too pessimistic One good prop, and other teams will be looking at this Leeds side with some trepidation for the first time in years, there will be threat across the park.

100%.

Re: Hopes for 2019 : Thu Nov 15, 2018 1:21 pm  

Clearwing wrote:

100%.

With the young lads another year on, and signing Hurrell, Lolohea, Merrin and possibly the Mystery Prop - the side will take some time to learn new systems but there's enough quality and experience there to hit the ground running. Leeds' first 17 isn't quite NRL standard, but it won't be a million miles off.