Part of Bird's game. If he's not trying to "earn" a penalty in attack he's faking a head injury so that his side gets a breather in defence. About time someone called him on it.

So Greg Birds never allowed to get injured? It dosnt matter if he's known for it or not, he's going to pick up genuine knocks playing the game.

Yes, Bird did it on 2 occasions when we played them at our place, one incident was when we forced a drop out and he went down like a sack of spuds with no saints player around him. Bosc last season was the worse I,ve ever seen, he should have been badged up with "Fragile Handle With Care."

But he’s known for faking it, so he loses the benefit of the doubt. I’m a supporter of McDermott however I can see legitimate areas to criticise him, his comments on Bird aren’t something I’d at all gave a go at him for though. It’s time these issues were brought forward as the game has appeared unwilling to deal with the issue of players faking injury for a while now.

Bird is a regular at it, as is Chris Hill, and I remember Connor doing it at the game at Headingley this year too.

So you dont consider it possible for Bird to ever be genuinely injured? I know he's a grubby, dislikable player and I see what your saying about not giving him the benefit of the doubt because of his reputation, but (unless your jamie acton) you cant just assume he's faking it every time, especially considering how many games he's missed throughout his career with genuine injuries sufferd in games.

Looking at this instance, its clear to see how he could of got hurt in that tackle, it wasnt a bad tackle by any stretch, but he did fall awkwardly, with i think it was goldings weight on him. He didnt once appeal for a penalty or claim it was a dirty tackle, when he had recovered and the ref said tackle 3 or whatever it was, he played the ball without saying a word, he's not shy in letting refs know what he thinks, if he's after a decision, usually everybody knows about it.

Truth is only bird knows if he was hurt or not, i dont think its right for mcdermott to say he was faking it when he dosnt know for sure. I didnt bring the matter up, and it certainly wouldnt register as one of the things id use to have a go at him with, because like i said, in the context of the game it really didnt matter either way, i was responding to a poster who thought mcdermott deserves credit for mentioning it, i dont think he does.

Often the most inoccuous incidents are the most painful ones. You never know if a player is really hurt or not. Its poor form to ever suggest that someone is feigning an injury in this sport.

All players consider conning the ref as fair game and that includes the Leeds players.

Perhaps if players were more honest on the field the standards of refereeing would have a possibility of improving

I know what you mean but I don’t agree it’s poor form. I’d say ids poor form to ignore players faking injury. It happens. Unless there is some injury-causing substance in a teams own try line that causes them to go down injured whenever a drop out is given then I think it’s safe to say that RL players sometimes fake injuries.

Cas fan here mate and you're right, saints showed too much loyalty to Cunningham. Leeds are doing the same with McD

The difference is, McDermott has come up with the goods time and again for Leeds, Cunningham hasn't. The situation at Saints last year. was more akin to Leeds agreeing to bring Smith in in 2003.

I wouldn't mind seeing a change of coach for next season, but only at the end of the season.

Glad to hear Oledzki is getting gametime and proving his worth. I always thought he was up to it.

One massive difference, mcdermott has earned that loyalty with what he has achieved at the club in a coaching capacity

You can't really argue against that.

You could argue with the words. It should say trophy winning capacity. Coaching can clearly be argued with.

Agreed it was the sentiment I was agreeing with - McDermott's record is unsurpassed by any British coach in the SL era - for that he deserve the opportunity to have an off year.

I hate the style of play Leeds have adopted especially without the quality of player to embrace it correctly but I can well understand why the club would stand by him

And it could be argued that a Coaches job is to coach the team to win trophies...

He didn't need to though, as that team was already winning trophies, coached in to them by capable individuals

just heard him on the radio defending his performance against Catalan, didn't catch everything he said but he mentioned playing behind a beaten pack and it was hard for him and Richie Myler. A bit outspoken but good on the lad, don't suppose Mac and GH will be overly pleased though

How many challenge cups and trebles had they coached themselves to before McDermott?

Think he also mentioned what do people expect from us playing behind a beaten pack.
Was he aiming it at the fans, the journalists or the coach maybe.
Hasn't Lilley only played 4 games all season?

If Lilley did stick up for himself then well done to him. Rather him saying what he thinks than the usual mindless we're hurting, we're working hard to put things right jabbering of 2016.

Richie Myler played behind the same beaten pack and helped create tries for Handley, Ferres and Dwyer. Lilley as usual created nothing.

I get that he hasnt played many games but theres always excuses made for him.

Hes played enough games for Leeds now approx 40 and how many chances has he created? how many breaks has he made?

Nobody loves to see Leeds kids come through the system more than me but Jordan unfortunately isnt good enough.

He also needs to stop worrying what people think about him as that means he wont take risks on the park as he will be worried to make mistakes and he needs to stop moaning on twitter about lack of chances. Hes had plenty of opportunities, Saturday was another missed one.

Weve seen lads in the past like Gavin Brown, Paddy Handley, Gareth Moore and Joe Sanderson who was around same level as Jordan snd got nowhere near opportunites Lilley has had.

Waterboy at best. That's about his level of effectiveness for the team.

Not much to argue with that. The first line pretty much makes the point entirely.