I obviously hope McGuire's career is not severely hampered by this gruesome injury....but will he ever regain that electrifying pace, which is an integral part of his game ? Just a few short weeks ago we were speculating how much he could climb up and above the likes of Les Dyl in the all time Leeds try scoring chart. Then this malevolent twist of fate.

It does highlight in the most terrible way what I have stated for a long time.....we do not have enough quality cover at half back. Even more so now.

Burrow is hopefully regaining some form and will 'spark' more often in attack as well as in his incontrovertible spirit/defence....and Sinfield might need to make way for Clarkson at LF anyway.....

BUT Apart from the probably indomitable-to-shift two, who else does the club have ??

Webb ? (Seemingly a distant last resort) Smith ? (

....2012 will be [ihis[/i year

)....Ablett (Give over !!)

Surely it's as much a priority [inow[/i as the additional go-forward-prop/Eastwood replacement.

What's the status with the likes of Chase for example ? With Donald retiring do we have enough space under the salary cap ??

I think we have to bring in a young and patient half back who will be willing to wait his turn. I don't see a point in bringing in a big name who may end up having to sit out once McGuire is back to full fitness. We need to build for the future. Or alternatively get a bigger name on loan, but I'm not all that sure you could really even do that.

Young and patient would be good. Who though ?

Will McGuire regain full fitness next season ? Ever ? Big gamble to wait.

Build for the future: yes ! Again ...who ?

Big name on loan...no chance ! Who would you suggest ??

Not specifically challenging yourself

.....but next season we are potentially in heap big trouble (if we weren't already of course with the all-ageing-together-incumbent first team members).

No we are not.

Sinfield to 6 problem solved.

Clarkson will start the season at 13.

With the cap space we have from Donald and Eastwood GH will strengthen the pack further with one or two signings.

We have signed a promising SO in Stevie Ward although he's been playing at LF so maybe he's the youngster that can be patient and eventually step up.
As for Mags i would'nt be too quick to speculate on his future just yet he only had his OP on friday and i don't see it as a big gamble to wait and give the lad a chance to regain fitness.
We do have options within the squad until he's fit enough to return and that's Sinfield/Webb at 6 imo and that also gives Smithy/BjB game-time at FB.

I think that there is sufficient cover there for the next season or two.

Look at who other top teams have in reserve:

Saints: Roby/Wilkin/Moore/Lomax?
Wigan: O'Loughlin/Leuleui
Warrington: Bridge/Monaghan

Those clubs are blessed with hookers who can cover scrum half, but still, our strength in depth isn't that bad in comparison. I agree that a young prospect is the sensible option, and hopefully someone like Stevie Ward will be that player (though I hate to talk up young players).

Prop is where we want to be strengthening. I'd have both Mason and Griffin if they were available.

Not aware of Stevie Ward....hopefully what you say is right. Problem solved.



The issue for me is that we have relied absolutely on McGuire as the potent main exocet weapon this season. ....the focus needs to change now of course. Where is that strike/penetration going to come from ???

Of course I hope Mags makes a full and quick recovery....but can the club afford to gamble ?

I would'nt say we've "over-relied" on Mags more a case of him "stepping up" and taking games by the scruff of the neck as it were.
We still have strike within the halves with the likes of Burrow,Sinfield and Webb and also at 9 from Buderus/Disko.
It's a case of sharing that responsabillity out like the pack did against Wigan without Peacock.
Like i said i don't think it is a major gamble to wait for Mcguire to regain fitness.

I've said it for a while but we could do with a decent up and coming SO or SH just to cover and push the other lads. i dont know our youngsters well enough to pass judgement but maybe we could look at someone in the lower levels. Whack them on a dual contract and keep them in reserve when we need them. The problem is I dont know who there is out there

We'll just have to cope with Sinfield and Burrow, with Webb and even Buderus (?) doing cameos as and when necessary in the halves.

Although McGuire seemed to have regained some of his pace this season he is getting to his late 20s so I think he would be expected to evolve into more of a 'short range' player in the next few seasons anyway.

In reference to Danny, i personally think his game has improved in terms of creating not just scoring tries. It kind of reminds me when Schoey moved from the centres to stand off, his game evolved as he had lost a yard of pace. I see no reason why Danny shouldnt come back as maybe a different sort of SO.

Purely hypothetical of course,

But how do you think you Leeds fans would react if GH released Danny McGuire and signed Benji Marshall?