Well said LR and although we have been far from consistent Defensively we still "stepped up" against Wire twice,Sainst at home and Wigan in the cup the players know they are capable and i expect them to show it.

We've also shown a knack of edging the tight games. We've come from behind and won a few, notably Wire away, Wakey at MM, Hudds last week and we earned a point we had no right to against the Bulls. I can only think of Crusaders at home when we have lost in the last 5 minutes.

I hope that we haven't used all of our 'get out of jail free' cards just yet.

I've seen enough to know Wigan, wire and saints are well beatable. if we play our best when it matters we can pick up both trophies this season.

You've chosen to highlight four games where the defence 'stepped up' yet in two of those games IIRC Leeds conceded 30 and 24 respectively.

Genuine question, have you ever been diagnosed as having a learning disability?

Yes but the defence proved to be good enough in those respective games to get the job done which is my point.
ATEOD i don't give a fook if we concede 50 and win by 1 point if it gets us the trophy or to the final on offer.
Against the apparent better teams than us this year in all comps we've done well with a 6 + 2 win ratio against the top 4 including Hull before we took over 4th spot this week so that's good enough for me considering the season we've had re-injuries and loss of confidence.

Quote ="LS16_Rhino"Genuine question, have you ever been diagnosed as having a learning disability?'" viewtopic.php?f=2&t=464422

Quote ="LS16_Rhino"Genuine question, have you ever been diagnosed as having a learning disability?'" viewtopic.php?f=2&t=464422

I guess that answers my question with a resounding YES then.

Leeds' defence was poor against Sts. The main problem being the huge yardage Sts were able to make by dummy-half scoots and first receiver forwards just trundling the ball up. The game against Hull KR was more of the same with two average props making around 10m per carry.

It showed its not just about tackling as in stopping the ball carrier, but controlling the PTB. That's what Leeds have done very effectively in three GFs against Sts and one area where Wigan have improved vastly this year. If we are to win something, that's one area where we can and should improve vastly.

Wigan really are relishing the defensive side of the game, 3 or 4 into the tackles with one wrapping the legs halting momentumn and the others putting on the "squeeze" on the ball carrier then one by one peeling off as the MOVE call comes in. They do the basics right in defense and the sap their opponents energy levels before cutting loose in attack. It might not be pretty and free flowing but it is chuffing effective.

It is, and its something Leeds have done well in recent years (and been abused by fans from other clubs for so doing).

I've posted about "the run in" a few times this year, seeing what we have achieved the last few years nothing concerns me too much until a few weeks before the play offs, looking at the fixtures I think it may start on friday, win or lose I am expecting a good performance from us.

Your confidence may well prove spot on. Indeed I also have said we will win the final.

But looking at the comparison to previous years, there is nothing to show it is just like previous years, far from it.

Played For Against
2010 23 605 509
2009 27 805 453
2008 27 863 413

We have already conceeded far more points than we had done in the previous 2 years, despite at this stage playing 4 games less.

We would need to score 50 points per game now for the last 4 in order to match the scoring for last year, which was already down on 2008.

We may well have enough in us to be better than the oppossition, but I don't think comparisons to previous seasons should be a confidence indicator.

As well as the injuries we have had far better opposition this year, wire & wigan have been much improved and the league is all the better for it IMO.

Last year against Warrington we won 20-14 and 24-22, that's 44 points for and 36 points against.

This year against Warrington we won 26-16 and 37-30, thats 63 points for and 52 points against.

That would certainly be a part indicator for the worse defence, but completely the other way for the attack. We have actually scored more points against them this year.

We only have the away fixtures to compare in the Wigan game so far, but last year we lost 28-10, but this year we lost 24-4. That's 6 points less scored for, but also 4 points less conceeded.

I dont think the Wigan and Warrington games are any reflection on our for and against in comparison to previous years.

I mean league position because we only had to compete with Saints for top spot the last few year but the comp has been much improved this year, I don't really care about comparing points difference between different years, to many variables to draw any conclusions from it imo.

We haven't played as well as we all know we can this year, we have definitely lost points due to injuries but probably more by under performing.

The point was more a case of, I am not sure we can just improve our defence magically for when it counts. We certainly may improve, but not improve to what is needed. It is unlike previous years where the example given for last year was we were conceeding penalties and we suddently sorted it.

However, it could be like rhinoms said with the two wins against Saints and Warrington. In those our defence was also poor, but we had enough quality in the locker to score more points than them. Personally I think this is what we will need in order to repeat previous years, and we need to get that right quickly.

I just don't think this year any comparisons can be made to previous years for any crumbs of comfort.

Ah.... the VT. Last refuge of the total nutter.

Too true.

I must have missed when any Wigan fan have said Leeds only win when it rains!!
You beat us in the rain due to one lapse and one piece of quality thought the weather affected both teams!

See Hamiltonsaint on page 1, I think G1's response was aimed at him/her.

That as been my point when we have been slated for it! Its no suprise the best teams are the best defenders and as a result get to attack with better field position!
And I never certainly slated them for it! Dont think you got as much stick as we got but I suppose thats one thing that will be a matter of opinion!!

I know but he/she is nowt to do with Wigan as far as I can see but they seem to love having a go at Leeds!!

Ian love, calm down. You may be homosexual but you don't have to be highly strung like a wench.

I never accused Wigan fans of using that excuse. It was the manic depressive from Hamilton who said we only beat Wigan because of the rain. My response was aimed at that post.

PS, love the nude shots in your autobiography. I have them on my bedroom wall.