Quote ="tigertot"I was at a property industry charidy dinner thing at York yesterday, the guest speaker is always some characterless yawnion has-been, it was that fine athlete Jason Leonard yesterday. But a number of Rhinos were there; John Bentley, who was compere, got Brian Mc up on stage unrehed. After struggling to think what to say his speech was fantastic. The best I've heard since Peter Fox, but more humble. It was interesting to hear the support he got from GH & Caddick during the dark days of June/July. Rob Burrow also got up for a spot.'"
Sometimes I wonder whether McDermott's self-effacing nature does him any favours when it comes to fan opinion. He's not one of those "blood and thunder" coaches (like a David Ward) who lets his emotions run away with him, neither is he a slick operator when it comes to manipulating the media (like a Doug Laughton). Yet he's managed to achieve something that was beyond both those coaches at Leeds, despite both being given large sums to spend on acquiring the best players.
Some of that may well be down to the players at his disposal, although I would argue that man for man this Leeds squad is no better in comparison to the competition than the ones either Ward or Laughton put together.
Bad coaches simply don't win championships.
