Is the concept of respect completely lost on some posters on here? I read some of the bile on here in complete and utter disbelief at times, and the only conclusion I can come up with is that some posters simply don't deserve to be fans of such a great club.

To me, Brian McDermott comes across as a no nonsense, honest bloke who no doubt works incredibly hard at his job, and, it seems, has the respect of the vast majority if not all of his playing squad. When interviewed he usually speaks coherently and sensibly, and is always interesting to listen to. Most importantly he clearly has the respect and backing of Gary Hetherington, without doubt the most important man at Leeds, and the man who has masterminded all the glory we experienced over the past decade. In a nutshell, that's more than enough for me, and as long as McDermott remains in charge at Leeds he will have my full support.

To win two Grand Finals in the past two years when almost the entire season leading up to the playoffs suggested such an eventuality was almost impossible has given me two of the most memorable nights of my life, and Brian McDermott played a huge, huge role in both. The team have raised their game massively this year, and had they played the games against Widnes and Wakefield when they were originally scheduled it is highly likely they would be sat in 2nd place in the league right now. They gave an extremely talented Melbourne side a damn good game in the WCC, and it took an extremely impressive display from Huddersfield to knock them out of the cup. Yet despite all this, I regularly see pathetic, childish nicknames such as "McDumbnut", "McDonut" etc etc etc, and worst of all, the man being labelled a "retard". Such disrespect for a hard working, passionate bloke defies belief... if fans are so displeased with our progress, perhaps they could do this while board a favour and p*ss off and support someone else?

For what it's worth, there may be the odd decision that McDermott makes which I don't necessarily agree with, but so what? Who the hell am I to be telling him how to do his job? How many of the supposedly expert posters on here would welcome him turning up on their doorsteps telling them how to do their jobs? It's also hard to deny that from time to time he makes the odd mistake, but again, so what? The good decisions far outweigh the bad ones, and is there a single person on here who has NEVER made a mistake in their job? I highly doubt it!!

I apologise for such a long rant, but I have had enough with people who are privileged to have experienced the success they have, yet still feel the need to criticise and be abusive. I have supported this club for over 30 years, and have experienced a lot of pain in the process. The past 6 or 7 years have been an absolute dreamland, and every single person involved in them will have my lifelong respect. As I said earlier, if you're not prepared to support your team and all who play for them and coach them, I'm sure there are other teams out there who could do with an extra few fans.

Oh shut up ya tart.

People can have what opinion they want. McDermott is not the reason for our success. He has been the coach for two and a half seasons. We had plenty of success before he arrived.

If the players are even half as good as we make out on here, then the coaches job is much easier than at other clubs.

I am sure McDermott doesn't give a rats arris what anyone on here thinks, so the respect works both ways.

I have no problem with people criticising McDermott but its when it gets personal for no reason that it annoys me. For instance someone suggesting he's retarded.
Sadly that kind of over reaction is visible too often in our great game

I'm all for respect and constructive criticism but the abuse on here is plain wrong. You're right about the name calling and I'm surprised that accounts like Brian McDonut are deemed ok to use.

I just put up with it all because it's not the end of the world. It would be nice if we didn't have a complacent and uninterested moderator on here but it just isn't to be.

You tell him to shut up then put this



Brilliant

Well said. I have nothing against constructive criticism. But I am against those know-all yet know-nothing keyboard coaches that resort to verbal abuse and who also have the most predjudiced views. Many of these took up positions against McDermott early in his first season and have never forgiven him for twice proving them wrong.....so so wrong.

I get the feeling they can't wait for Leeds to lose so they can re-launch their back seat sniping and try to claim they were right all along. Some of these trigger happy critics are also so quick to rubbish former stars who have lost some of their former brilliance. Not only have they no concept of respect or loyalty but they have no concept of coaching either.

I think I'll sign back in and ban Damo

BTW - the OP, you're right, absolutely right, and fortunately the team coach, the company CEO and the financial backer(s) don't give a damn what supporters opinions are and I don't think many players do either.

And neither do I come to think of it.

What will we do without his daily eating out stories?

Thats the only thing thats saving his neck, I want to know what he had for his tea tonight.

There are so many things I could say in response, but why bother? As you tend to prove on a regular basis, your own words make you look more foolish than anything anyone else could say in response to them.

I'm talking about the other moderator - I though you've retired on here and it shows.

Still if people are allowed to call others retards under Wheel's reign then that's his choice. It was an instant ban under you

I agree with much of your rant, Damo but think you've conflated criticism and abuse a bit. Not seen much of the latter towards McD - just plenty of monotonous criticism about lack of squad rotation, failure to play various young players...

Immediately after the St Helens game on Monday Rob Burrow said Leeds had taken their foot off the gas while Brian McDermott refuted the allegation when it was put to him and showed disdain for the question accusing those who use the term as lazy people who can't think of anything better to say.

In that situation I respect the honesty of one.

I know this would be a boring concept for fickle armchair coaches to grasp, but of the decisions made by the coaches only a small fraction of the information that goes into them is seen from 'the stands'.

Fans will continue to believe they know better regardless.

I think that's a bit unfair mate many posters offer genuine opinions and never claim to be "Coaches" nor should they expected to be either we love the sport and our Club.
Expressing opinions whether from the stands or an armchair is their right they pay their £££££ every week and to be fair what has happened performance wise and selection etc etc warraent discussion/opinions whether good bad or indifferent.
There's just as much over-reaction and put downs the other way when posters disagree with those opinions and it ends up tit for tat with insults and i disagree "we know best" from my own pov its always my "opinion" and i'm always chuffed to be proved wrong when negative because the team i support are doing well.

No, I know, and I don't mean to generalise as there are many who just discuss and speculate without crossing that line.

My comments were not directed at you rhinoms. We may disagree on several rugby issues but abuse is not your style.

What evidence do you have to respect the honesty of one and not the other then?

Both may have been giving their honest views albeit the views of the hooker and coach clearly conflicted.

Only one chose to to defensive and a little insulting to the interviewer though despite Bill Arthur only repeating what the Leeds hooker had said to him moments before.

The thread is asking for people to show some respect.

And always respectful?

This week's installment comes courtesy of the YEP online :

=#0000FF“Talking about that decision towards the back end, it was a very anal decision. Nobody was obstructed, it didn’t have an effect on the play. Whoever pressed the button understands the rules, but probably doesn’t understand the game.”

Rather than having a pop at the video referee, who it appears McDermott accepts made the correct ruling, could he not have trained his usual coherent and sensible comments towards the Leeds players who got their timing wrong and stuffed up whatever it was they were trying to engineer. Lead runner through the line (not parked in it) ball passed behind rather than run behind.

Some coach inspired planned moves in attack would make the off the cuff cock ups like these - with the resulting accompanying comments - redundant.

Whats this about?

I'm a busy lad and this is a fast moving forum. If it doesn't get reported chances are it'll go unpunished. You know what to do.

Can't believe I've not noticed this thread until now! But well said!!

Hence why I said you're complacent and uninterested. Your priorities are elsewhere and rightfully so.

It's not my duty or anyone else's for that matter to report every incident on here straight to you. A certain Drummer keeps getting abuse and yes he gives it back but it's not what any of us really want on here as this thread shows.