Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Aug 17, 2023 8:16 pm  

christopher wrote:

Are they?

Walters and who else?

Stop being so serious Chris and always defending the club with every post.
It was a joke!
Walters, Leeming gone to Wigan.
Austin prepared to take a step down, and even Sezer is leaving for an NRL gig.
And I fully expect Newman to see out his contract and move on.
Despite your perpetual positivity, we are a complete shambles at the moment.
Likely to finish 9th or 10th and getting left behind in the transfer market.
Prospects of much the same next season.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Aug 17, 2023 8:27 pm  

christopher wrote:

Are they?

Walters and who else?

The fact Walters had to be picked under duress but then went on to prove himself tells you all you need to know about "development of the youth system " it's a fact under the current management system more academy players have been shipped out than the last two encombants!

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Aug 18, 2023 8:59 am  

RAPIDO wrote:

The fact Walters had to be picked under duress but then went on to prove himself tells you all you need to know about "development of the youth system " it's a fact under the current management system more academy players have been shipped out than the last two encombants!

Walters has always been something of a rough diamond. When Smith brought him back into the fold last season at prop there were clearly defensive deficiencies in Walters' game. Smith probably intended a more gradual introduction for Walters this season when we had more senior props fit. Walters probably had his head turned by Wigan, while at the same time being envious of his mate from Widnes with a famous father who was suddenly getting all the plaudits - why couldn't Walters be first choice too?

IMO the progression of O'Connor AND Walters under Smith is one of the reasons Leeds should stick with him as coach. It's clear that he's playing a longer term game to get the squad into a stronger position, which may not be the quick fixes wanted by some players and some fans. I think this patient approach is what the club needs right now, provided the squad is backed up by some quality signings in key spine positions.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Aug 18, 2023 9:06 am  

Walters has also shown those defensive deficiencies this year too but overall has improved loads.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Aug 18, 2023 9:21 am  

I actually think if you look at the last few years our youth development from u18s to senior level has been really poor. O Connor has grabbed his chance and well done to him but arguably that happened by chance rather than a clear development pathway. We had some real potential in our young forwards and most are going to be playing elsewhere Walters Dupree Trout etc.In the case of Walters while I agree he is not the finished articles and has a lot of development left it's important to realise that generally tall forwards ( Adrian Morley aside) take longer to reach their potential as they have to grow into their frame to achieve their optimum physical levels. Alex Walmsley had played 19 games for Batley at Walters age. Time will tell how Walters turns out but without knowing the sums involved we lost out to Widnes and gave Lisone a third year off the back of 2 decent games! Widnes released Singleton and signed Walters a definite upgrade for me.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sat Aug 19, 2023 11:54 am  

Justin Olam fallen out with Bellamy. Can we get Reece onto him…?

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sat Aug 19, 2023 11:54 am  

Justin Olam fallen out with Bellamy. Can we get Reece onto him…?

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sat Aug 19, 2023 12:01 pm  

Shabino wrote:

Justin Olam fallen out with Bellamy. Can we get Reece onto him…?

He’d be dynamite over here but you’ve got to imagine he’d have NRL suitors.

It is nice you see so many png players taking a chance on SL, can only be good for the game imo.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sat Aug 19, 2023 12:40 pm  

Contracted till 2026 so highly unlikely!

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sat Aug 19, 2023 1:09 pm  

Loiner at large wrote:

Contracted till 2026 so highly unlikely!

That doesn’t really matter if they want rid and he wants out…..