Quote ="G1":2hqlpq46Donald's performances in 2007 were the equal of 2008 and 2006 was a solid year too. I agree entirely with your last sentence.
Agree.
Sorry david but I can't agree. Sinfield was regularly shortlisted for Man of Steel in the Smith year's. He's a shadow of that player now. You seriously think Bailey is the same player he was under Smith? I'd also argue Diskin has gone backwards. He's certainly never got near the heights of 2004.
He is doing some things right. He's doing a lot of things wrong.
Look at McGuire's try on Saturday for England. A try engineered by two Leeds stalwarts. How many times have you seen them do that move at Leeds?'"
Sinfield is what he is - his game has not gone backwards he has simply remained static and the game has moved on - any player who lacks genuine pace will be found out as the speed of the game moves on - it is not only his lack of physical speed but his mental speed. When given time and space he is ok but in a faster game he struggles to make the decisions quick enough - that is why he has never truly shone at international level.
Smith dropped Bailey plenty because of his lack of desire for a battle - what we are seeing now is exactly what we saw under for two seasons under Smith leading up to end of the 2007 campaign.
Diskin has never been the same since his cruciate injury his inability to reach the peak of 2004 is a physical not coaching issue.
Smith was the same as McClennan he did lots of things wrong during the 2005 and 2006 seasons - its a pity that some - you included - seem to be able to brush that under the carpet!!!
On the try Leeds would score that kind against NL opposition which is exactly what England played against on Saturday - Halifax would have given the French a game on Saturday - you simply do not get that level of freedom in most SL games.
