Leigh have announced the signings of Sam Stone and Jai Whitbread from Gold Coast Titans , hopefully they will arrive soon ,and help us get our first win .

Interesting that Stone is signed on for next season also. Can't imagine he'd have signed if he/we were concerned about relegation...

Leyther reading between the lines I think we will get a reprieve , from relegation next season , it seems from reports that Sky want changes , and the RFL have decided that no relegation , 2 promoted from the Championship , forming a 14 Club SL next season and then the season after 4 Clubs relegated and 6 promoted from the Champioship, to for a 10 Club SL 1 and a 10 Club SL 2, I’ve heard it will be announced after Fridays meeting .Maybe a good thing , but we will have to improve 100% and recruit a fair few quality players , or we will go into the proposed SL2 , which may not be a bad thing .What the thoughts Leythers ?

Seems that way, Charlie. Even if we were to wind up in SL2, it will still be a competitive league so we would require a lot of quality. Hopefully, owing to this reprieve, we can retain a few from this season's squad but we will need a overhaul.

I've accepted our plight this season owing to the fact we had very little time to recruit for this season. Same cannot be said for next season, with the hard work starting now we should be on an even keel with the rest of the league and in a better position than the two coming up.

I imagine that Derek is using his holiday as a chance to recharge his batteries before getting stuck in to recruitment of quality players/coaches. Here's hoping anyway!

Hi Ian, I hope you're well. It looks to me that we are planning for next season. No disrespect to KH but, we really do need a quality coach to take us forward next season, as well as a good spine to make us create opportunities in attack. Our defence has been practically poor all season, so that must change, and improve immensely. This season is a lost cause now.

Both signings only 23 so hopefully have lots of rugby in front of them.Are they signed from KH contact with Titans coach

Wonder what happened with the other two

According to radio manchester last night restructure maybe 14 then 10 but not saying where proposal came from.Some clubs apparently prefer a more radical solution but confidentiality rule applied.
9 home games surely not enough. no appetite for pies v dire 4 times a year.Wonder if we will see nrl involved somehow to make up the games raise interest
I cannot see SL 2 will not be enough money in the pot. the other proposal floated would make that league part time with no p&r

Great news about these signings, hopefully can secure them for next season also. The RFL need to announce the plans for next year asap so teams can plan for next season. This was the basis of this years problems and sounds like we are losing players already to teams that will be still our rivals next year. If the structure is announced DB finally has a chance to build a team and get a SL level coach in place.

Apparently Nene McDonald has chosen to stay in Oz , and has signed for an Aussie Country Club , rather than travel and play for Leigh , the Covid situation may have something to do with his choice .

Leyther it is reported that Stone has signed u til the end of 2022, probably the same for Whitbread , if the plans for restructuring go ahead ,then whatever happens we need a complete overhaul of the Squad , as around 6 players have made plans with other teams for next season, and for me another 6 must be show the door , for us to compete in any League next year , if this new League goes ahead the likes of Fev andToulouse who I expect to be promoted will strengthen , and with 4 getting relegated it will be extra difficult to stay up .

Having said this I’m sure Derek knows this and will be making plans for what needs to be done .I would keep Ryan Brierley , Mellor , maybe Ioane , but the rest must have question marks over them .

if we only got reduced funding this year how do we get more to sign all these players with 14 hands in the pot

Good evening Derek , I’m well ,though yesterday was disappointing , and it was my Birthday as well.
We have to plan for next season , it’s reported around 6 of our current squad have found other Clubs for next year , which doesn’t leave much to serve us with , if we want to compete , yesterday we had a back 3 of Helliwell, Gee , and Thompson , for me I wouldn’t keep any of these 3 .

It’s difficult who to keep , but means we could be needing a complete overhaul , hopefully starting with these 2 Aussies , I would keep Elliot ,and hopefully Bell will stay , but I would expect Fev and Toulouse to get promoted if the plans go ahead , and they will both be looking at strengthening , so it won’t be easy to sign players , the Agents will be having a field day .

Funding (or lack of it) has not been the problem this year and I don’t believe it will be a problem next year, as we will finally be on an even keel with everyone else. Plus we have an owner willing to do what is needed (which I am very thankful for).
Salary cap even for everyone, so then it’s a matter of who has the funds to recruit to that cap level.
If this goes the way it looks (and no guarantees on that with RL in this country), getting up this season and suffering, could end up being a master stroke.