Im not saying he would have made a difference, our problems tonight were bigger than something that a bit player could do anything about
Regarding warrington game yes kirke had some share of the blame for 2 of the tries but they were never entirely his fault. For one has was on his way back to the line (something we see many times a game from other forwards) and some goes past him. What causes the try isnt this, its the fact that there is noone standing at A defenders position. Could Kirke have done better? Hell yes, was it his fault? Not in my opinion

Anyway, tonights not about Kirke was managed to lose without his 'contribution'

Aiton and sutcliffe on the bench is too lightweight for me.

Next season, will the likes of Sinfield, McGuire, Burrow, Peacock and Leuluai be...

1) More effective?
2) Less effective?
3) About the same?

If the answer isn't 1) above, next season is going to be very interesting indeed.

I wouldnt rule out a couple retiring. Peackock and Leuluai are old, and have a full set of medals, what more is there to motivate? Same could go for Sinny. Not saying it will happen, but it must be a reasonable possibility

Where would that leave Leeds? It's well publicised that a couple (at least) of Leeds players are paid under their market value for the sake of team spirit, but surely that means there's not the money in the pot for like for like replacements when they do hang up the boots?

Given that it's too late now to go out and sign replacements for the 2015 season I don't really think the types of people the likes of Sinfield and Peacock are will leave the club in the lurch by retiring with immediate effect.

Do you really think they'd want that performance to be their last game?

Also Peacock has been given a testimonial for next year, wouldn't really work if he retires.

Not saying it improves us, just it could happen. It could lead to the speeding up of the replacement of unreplacables. Sinfield and Peacock could orobably do another 2 seasons, wheather they should is another matter. Only they can answer that really, they may decide that they can do themselves justice.

That would leave leeds in a poor place for next season, but the transition needs to happen at some point and the likes of sutcliffe and singleton need to be given the responsibility, if they are seen as the next big things

Leuluai is a distinct possibility. Think the other two will do one more year at least. Up until today, I thought this squad could probably soldier on for 2 more seasons and still be a good shout for silverware. The result today against ordinary opposition putting in an average performance in a fixture that really mattered does make me wonder if this Leeds team has finally reached the end of it's journey and is no longer fit for the purpose? Today's ordinary opposition would have won in a canter with a halfback pairing of Carney and Dureau.

Peacock has already announced his retirement at the end of 2015.
I don't think any other major players will retire at the same time. Though it's going to be a difficult few years to replace Peacock, Leuluai, McGuire, Burrow, Sinfield & JJB over the next 3 or 4 years.

I felt the same. I felt that the poor games around and since the cup final were lesdons learned from last seaon with tired legs being rested to leave enough in the tank for a shot at the title. I didnt think itd be a cake walk tonight, but we should have had enough to win with a little to spare.

Peacock did 80 tonight didnt he. If last season is his last we need to get a quality 40 mins a week from him, and not bigger minutes but lower quality. Singleton needs to step up, but also needs to get trusted with the shirt.

It wouldnt be the first time someone decided to move on in the gap between seasons. At 34 with a full set of medals I could understand sinfield calling it a day, and go out at the top

In terms of the title, this leeds team is done for the foreseable, IMO.

They may be able to get another CC win next season (at best) but that's it. Leeds have one of the best backlines in the league, yet they are the lowest points scorers in the top 6. If you aint scoring, it nearly always comes down to the halves. Sinfield and mcguire aren't threats with ball in hand, so defences can focus on the outside runners and then scramble if they decide to take on the defence because they aint getting through.

Haven't seen a Leeds team look quite so impotent in attack for a long time.

I don't see any improvement in them next season. This time next year sh*t will be hitting the fan. Mcdermott will be getting moved on, peacock and leuluai will be retiring and our halves will be getting older and slower by the day.

No he and Leuluai went off around the 20 minute mark for Bailey and Achurch (shouldn't be used at prop ffs) but came on about 7/8 mins later. We conceded our first try in that time.

That double substitution was bizarre in that we were defending, and as Bailey ran on Catalans made a break through a defence with 1 replacement (possibly 2) out of position.

It was strange in terms that I can't recall us subbing both props off around the same time. Usually if Peacock goes off it's around the 30 mins mark, around 10 mins after Leuluai (who often is the one coming back on for Peacock) goes off.

At least 1 of those players are leaving, the rest will be at least as good as this year + Cuthbertson who should be a huge addition.
Most of the other players will improve*

*kirke, bailey, clarkson, aiton not included obvs.

Gaz Ellis would have been a cracking signing for your lot, but he chose the black & whites.

This has been a great side but it has reached the limits of its physical and mental capabilities. Other sides no longer fear them and they have lost the ability to impose themselves against the top sides and they can't be bothered to turn up against the weaker ones anymore.

Last night not one key player - Peacock, McGuire, Sinfield, Burrow, JJB had a decent game they simply weren't able to lift themselves to the required standard.

The concern has to be the lack of genuine quality coming through the academy in these key positions plus the quality of the coaching throughout the club. GH must take some heat for the lack of solid succession planning for these key positions.

Changes are required but it is not going to happen anytime soon - with key players getting older standards are likely to only go one way. It will be difficult for Leeds to make the top 4 next year you could easily see a scenario where they don't even make the 8.

They will make the 8 but not the 4. Not with this side. I agree about coaching and youngsters too.

I think they can still make the 4, but I dont think they would win the final.

I would not be so sure, it depends how another season catches up on these players - the squad needs freshening up but I don't see GH dipping into his pocket nor do I see the quality of player out there to sign.

The form in the second half of the season has been worrying - yes the CC was a distraction but that alone cannot explain the dramatic fall off in form.

And after the shambles of the last two season I bet he regrets that decision big time

I think Leeds are now descending into a lean period of dominancy.
Its looking like a season too far with the spine of the team, Sinfield, Burrows, Kylie, Peacock, McGuire, JJB thats a lot of experience needing replacing.
A couple of seasons in transition is around the corner and your chairmen will no doubt be aware of it.

Time for GH to get his cheque book out!
And he needs to look further than Australia, who simply pay too well to let their top players go.
Better meet a few Brits who are coming to the boil and retire the old warhorses.
Tanks will always beat cavalry as we all know...

Time for change at the top. Inability to score points has meant that even games we have dominated in every other area have been tight. We can't put teams away. We've had glimpses of what our attack could look like when it clicks but this season ultimately confirms that McD is unable to effectively coach this area of the game.

We also desperately need a quality 9. It's the most important attacking position in the modern game and what we have in that position isn't anywhere near good enough.