Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Sep 27, 2022 3:59 pm  

The Ghost of '99 wrote:

Well several things -

1. He's not played much
2. Reports of why he's not played recently have been very vague or non-existent
3. When he has played he hasn't been that impressive, certainly not to a marquee level (others may disagree)
4. There's been a bit of off-record chatter about his 2023 contract and whether it's a Leeds option or not. Leeds announced it as a two year deal when he signed so that may be nothing

None of those things mean he is leaving.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Sep 27, 2022 4:08 pm  

If we can get Walker off the Cap I hope that's enough to get Zak on a contract that suits all but if we can't resign Zak it would be a loss but we are stocked in the backs even if we lose him. If we are struggling with Cap Space it wouldn't surprise me if Moved Fusitu'a too Centre full time my only concern would be having him & Newman they are both Very Injury Prone and we would be short if they were both missing as much as they have been in 2022.

FB- Myler, Hooley, Walker (he'd still be our player if needed and i can't see him leaving til his deal expires in 2023)

Wing- Handley, Olpherts, Tindall, Roberts.

Centre- Newman, Fusitu'a, Simpson, Edwards, Martin

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Sep 27, 2022 4:37 pm  

Jrrhino wrote:

If we can get Walker off the Cap I hope that's enough to get Zak on a contract that suits all but if we can't resign Zak it would be a loss but we are stocked in the backs even if we lose him. If we are struggling with Cap Space it wouldn't surprise me if Moved Fusitu'a too Centre full time my only concern would be having him & Newman they are both Very Injury Prone and we would be short if they were both missing as much as they have been in 2022.

FB- Myler, Hooley, Walker (he'd still be our player if needed and i can't see him leaving til his deal expires in 2023)

Wing- Handley, Olpherts, Tindall, Roberts.

Centre- Newman, Fusitu'a, Simpson, Edwards, Martin

We should have insisted Hull signed Walker earlier, we simply have to get rid or get him off the cap for next year through injury. Giving him a big deal after 1 year in the first team has been a calamitous error.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Sep 27, 2022 4:45 pm  

Do we need 3 hookers now O Connor is now a 9. Johnson hardly played and when he has he’s looked way out of his depth. He wont be a big earner but every penny counts, maybe someone like Edwards is seen as surplus as well. Certainly needs to get in the first team next year after a full year in loan in championship, and with Sutcliffe gone Newman injured and 2 centre spots great chance to stake his claim. If he’s not deemed good enough to be given a run of games then may as well ship him on.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Sep 27, 2022 4:51 pm  

These seemingly odd signings of players in their early 20s are protection for our youngsters. We should be moving into a phase where Stevie Ward, Harry Newman, Tom Holroyd, Jack Walker are lynchpins of a great homegrown Leeds team. We may be unlucky. Or maybe the maxim of if they're good enough then they're old enough is past its sell by date.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Sep 27, 2022 5:02 pm  

If we can’t sign Zak and we don’t improve that pack we can forget about a title challenge next season imo. Newman cannot be relied upon unfortunately, we’d be hugely bare bones outwide. Walker career is in the balance, that’s a big problem.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Sep 27, 2022 5:11 pm  

rollin thunder wrote:

Do we need 3 hookers now O Connor is now a 9. Johnson hardly played and when he has he’s looked way out of his depth. He wont be a big earner but every penny counts, maybe someone like Edwards is seen as surplus as well. Certainly needs to get in the first team next year after a full year in loan in championship, and with Sutcliffe gone Newman injured and 2 centre spots great chance to stake his claim. If he’s not deemed good enough to be given a run of games then may as well ship him on.

Really? I might be wrong but I believe Levi was still young enough to be playing in the Academy final on Sunday. He doesn't need to be anywhere near the first team on a regular basis. Far smarter to bring in McDonald from Leigh for a couple of years and send Edwards out on loan in the championship to learn his trade. Would be very surprised if the same wasn't true for the likes if Ruan and Warren. Gets them off our cap (I think) and gives them a great step up into open age rugby. You can't just throw these lads in the 1st team and hope for the best. Gannon is the exception that proves the rule.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Sep 27, 2022 5:21 pm  

Clearwing wrote:

These seemingly odd signings of players in their early 20s are protection for our youngsters. We should be moving into a phase where Stevie Ward, Harry Newman, Tom Holroyd, Jack Walker are lynchpins of a great homegrown Leeds team. We may be unlucky. Or maybe the maxim of if they're good enough then they're old enough is past its sell by date.

ward amd walker ??

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Sep 27, 2022 5:24 pm  

ArthurClues wrote:

Really? I might be wrong but I believe Levi was still young enough to be playing in the Academy final on Sunday. He doesn't need to be anywhere near the first team on a regular basis. Far smarter to bring in McDonald from Leigh for a couple of years and send Edwards out on loan in the championship to learn his trade. Would be very surprised if the same wasn't true for the likes if Ruan and Warren. Gets them off our cap (I think) and gives them a great step up into open age rugby. You can't just throw these lads in the 1st team and hope for the best. Gannon is the exception that proves the rule.

Not sure on Levi’s age. I thought he was just over academy, either way he’s had a year in championship so the club and player clearly not fazed by open age rugby and see academy as too low a standard for him. I see no reason why he shouldn’t be ready for some super league action next year, mixed with championship. Even if its just filling in until Newman is fit.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Sep 27, 2022 5:56 pm  

rollin thunder wrote:

Not sure on Levi’s age. I thought he was just over academy, either way he’s had a year in championship so the club and player clearly not fazed by open age rugby and see academy as too low a standard for him. I see no reason why he shouldn’t be ready for some super league action next year, mixed with championship. Even if its just filling in until Newman is fit.

He's 19 on Christmas day so I think he could have played, as could Gannon and Simpson. You were suggesting moving him on next year if he couldn’t make an impact, which is extremely harsh in my opinion. Walker, Newman, Holroyd were all thrown into first team action at a very young age - all of them have suffered hugely with injuries. The club (and fans) need to be more realistic in what they expect of teenagers. Thankfully I think Smith gets it. Will serve us well in the long term.