So based on your analogy then Castleford need to add an extension to their scoreboard to accommodate what’s to come on Thursday evening

Not sure I said that, just explaining why we shouldn't really be comparing Warrington and us at this point

I get the over-reaction after the disappointment of the cup loss. If we're not in a significantly improved position compared to this time last season after 10-12 rounds of SL I will be worried.

I'm prepared to see some of the last performance as a one-off - the poor attacking play was a collective problem, not really about individuals (apart from Frawley's kicking game first half). Time will tell on that. Defensively we were still good. The tries Saints scored were not clearly executed moves where they beat us with power and skill (Clark's soft try aside) but rather had an element of lady luck about them with the bounce of the ball. On the other hand, we created a couple of nice chances from kicks in the second half and didn't get the bounce to capitalise (and no, I don't think this is why we lost).

What I would like to see next:

1. The team finds an answer to being pegged in our own half - whether it is the forwards being more aggressive, a better kicking game (more Croft kicking please), and/or fewer errors coming from throwing the ball around before we've earned the right to play like that. Bottom line is we're less likely to concede tries if we keep the opposition away from the try line for longer.

2. We learn to adapt our current style of play with a lot of lateral movement and high skill passing to match a) the tempo of the game, b) the weather conditions, c) the way the referee is interpreting the rules, and d) the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. We need to be cleverer in 'yardage' as well as in the opposition 20. You do get the sense that we're trying to score off every play rather than building pressure over multiple sets, and instead we're the ones absorbing pressure over multiple sets, and it's killing us slowly.

Well my comparison was based on 2.5 years Vs 2.5 months. But fair play Burgess was a class act players Smith was a mediocre amateur player at his playing height and therefore has no concept of what it’s like to achieve anything on the field.

Unfortunately your repeated rebuttals for all things Hetherington make me feel like you could be one of his minions always on the back foot defending the indefensible ie him and his languid approach to RL and the fans.

As a businessman I doff my cap as an advocate for Leeds Rhinos / Rugby league / Expansionism I run for the hills.

But stupid me I keep renewing my season ticket

Smith took us to the grand final in his first 10 games, hard to judge Burgess yet.

We will see in a couple of weeks time. I truly hope I have a huge slice of humble pie at the end of the game but somehow I think I will be left bereft and wanting

I knew I was missing something its the fixture list that's the reason for us playing like turkey's for the last two games damd and twice damd.

Pea sized heart

Lol

It would probably take them 10 years to get planning permission…

Surely an artist’s impression can be knocked up in a few days!

That’s working on the assumption that planning laws are applicable in that area. One has to wonder sometimes.

And he’s done f-all in the subsequent xx amount of games.
What’s the more relevant sample size do you think?

My comments are more about Burgess than Smith

He mentioned how well Burgess is doing in his first games. I mentioned how well smith did in his first games.

Burgess may go the same way as Smith

Have you been talking to my wife?

Like it or not RS will be here until seasons end at least.

Only way he leaves early is by walking out or getting us into serious relegation threat.

The job is half done with regards to the team.
End of this year if we get rid of Fusi and Donaldson + the money from Myler/ Olpherts ( maybe Martin if he can't be convinced to stay) and use it on a big prop and strike back rower and a steady winger we coukd be back into top 4 and a chance at silverware.

I really don't like the way the team plays u det him.
Yes,this year they have more belief,more skill and work hard fir each other. However, we need to also work smarter, be more aggressive going forward and more clinical on t5.

If we can do that abd not concede 80m every set then over 80mins we will win far more and frustrate far less.

RS seems to be coming to terms with the fact the refs won't let the ruck be quick and that he needs to adjust to it.

He needs to, coz refs won’t change…..

I agree with him, the ruck is a mess.
Incorrect PTBs ( which were meant to be the new must be done thing), flops,holding down, moving off the mark,markers not square etc.

The only way that changes is fir every Ref to be as strict about it as they were head shots at the start of the season and more importantly, do it consistently in every game all season.

That would impact the game enjoyment as much as the over the top reds did ,at least until teams realised they won't get away with it

Agree, but that doesn’t mean it will happen. They need another ref for the ruck- ptb really, but can’t afford this. The Refs can’t keep up with the rubbish they’re being asked to deal with.

Why is it always fans of mid table teams that cry about refs? I don’t recall you moaning too much about the ref missing Croft trying to break Lewis Dodds ankle?

It can sound bit like that. Best to fix things up in our own camp. Need 2 refs to change the ruck, refs already have too much on with high tackle and foul play for sneezing directive…..

They only need 1 ref in Oz to sort it out so why should we need 2 , it has become a bad habit with players , coaches and refs all at fault . It does not matter which teams , it is the enjoyment for spectators that is the issue

Same typos.

Smith should go because the basic skills are just not being done. They can't run hard or straight can't catch and everyone is on the refs back about the ruck but against cass once we lost the ball at the play of the ball and nearly did it again later on. Instead of complaining and waving arms around just get on with it and play to the whistle. The attack is void of any ideas. What leeds need is someone to give them a kick up the a**e and not a friend to talk to .