The criticism of McDermott was always justified. Leeds were rubbish for most of the season and his comments about errors and incomplete sets being irrelevant and boring was nonsense of the highest order. Leeds improved title-winning form by the end of the season was mainly down to addressing those very issues which had plagued them all season... indiscipline, backchat, penalties, incomplete sets, errors aplenty. McDermott's tactical switch and usage of Burrow along with the increasingly influential Buderus factor (Michael Monaghan eat your heart out) definitely provided Leeds with the additional edge.

I'm not a huge fan of McDermott. I didn't want him as coach but once he was handed the job, he deserved 2 or 3 years at least to make his mark. I still remain unconvinced by him in charge but it was the sundry knee-jerk calls for his sacking and a TAXI out of Headingley which were OTT, not the criticism.

I think all of us, except possibly Aston Wilson, can be glad that nantwichexile is not our coach.

Ahem ! I had the prior foresight to our incumbent coach that Delaney was the better second rower than Ablett; Ablett the better centre ( I received a lot of abuse for daring to suggest that). I also encouraged the role of Burrow as impact hooker from the bench long before McDermott.

I am pleased to see the man eventually picked up my brain waves and vindicated my opinions.

Hardaker to stand off will eventually be his next move



Look, I've already stated I'm pleased for the guy and at long last the players seem to be responding to his wishes....but in the present euphoria - fanstastic as it is (I have also said this GF victory must be the [isweetest[/i of them all) - too many seem to want to forget the earlier debacles we had to witness this season. We WERE crap.

The propaganda seems to want us to believe that the Catalans away match was the 'turning point'....and the awful display/decisions at Harlequins just the week before wembley conveniently forgotten.

I genuinely hope the team kicks on ...and the lesson of not being afraid to introduce the 'kids', epitomised by Hardaker, is not forgotten.

As for Sinfield at stand off (Andy) ....undoubtedly a place has to be found for the incontrovertible inspirational skipper, but nobody can convince me that he is nothing other than an adequate in the role. I still see him as a better LF.

Just in case you hadn't noticed - he doesn't do too much differently whichever position he plays.

I'd say a 2 Grand Final winning, international stand off is more than adequate. At the very least I'd take him over Smith and Hardaker there!

Resting him for mere "normal league games" was undoubtedly a contributory reason for the final league positioning. Are you really suggesting McDermott planned that ? It was a tactical decison to reach the GF and win by finishing in such a lowly position ??

Of course...but that equates to a better LF than SO. Taking him over Smith aint saying much really I'm afraid to say....and of course Hardaker isn't ready [ijust[/i yet.

Would you take Sinfield at SO over any other SO in SL ?? (Ignoring his role as the inspirational captain that of course [unobody[/u can contest)

No, I think he's suggesting that Bedsy is no longer up to playing 80 minutes week in, week out. Something he could no longer do before he joined us and wasn't likely to be able to do 3 years and a serious injury later. Had he done that his 2 world class performances in two of our biggest games of the season might have been less impressive

Smith was tongue in cheek as last year you suggested he might be the answer there.

I'd suggest he'd have got into the following sides at Stand Off this year:

Wigan (with Finch at 7)
Saints (alongside one of the 2 youngsters)
Hull
Hull KR
Cas (with Chase at 7)
Bradford
Salford
Wakefield
Quins
Crusaders

The fact he would struggle to replace Briers/Myler, Brown/Brough is largely down to the fact that they need the quicker half to play alongside the organiser.

Perhaps we should take such a cautious position with all our recognised game winners and have all of Burrow, McGuire, Sinfield, Hall etc sat on the bench to prolong their careers at the club

Never stated he would be the "answer" there, merely he might be worth a try (when he seemed sharper and fitter) in the role.

As for the clubs you suggest Sinfield would command the SO position.....doesn't say much for the standards in the SL does it ?

Let me make this clear....I LIKE THE GUY. He needs to be included in the team. He is a BRILLIANT captain...at SO he fulfills the need adequately. At LF he fulfills the need better.

I believe Ablett would go better there...but Sinfield MUST be included and LF is his position IMO.

Perhaps, hooker is a position in the modern game where very few players play 80 minutes, let alone 32/3? year olds whose bodies have played at the top level for their entire careers.

I love the fact you have added command to the highlighted sentence.

Brilliant come back by the way.

[iTranslation:

Nantwich - I don't rate him at stand off. Can't be many other teams he'd get into.

Andy - Only 10 others.

Nantwich - Oh well, the standard must by e then.[/i
I can see you've thought this through well.

Ryan Hall for president!

I don't mean literally for the full 80 mins in the frontline role....of course he should have been 'spelled' for short periods.

I am referring more to the political "necessity" of giving first Diskin equal status and share of games from the bench....then the need to include Burrow similarly.

Belatedly McDermott realised Burrow as impact sub was indeed erdudite, but not at the expense of removing Buderus from the field.

For that I am grateful

....what a victory. Let's not argue anymore. We should continue to revel in it....and I do.

The Diskin point is old news. Most people could see the 2 of them would never work.

For me Burrow off the bench to spell him with Buderus returning after 20-25 mins worked fine. He was one of the most important players who we really needed to keep fresh throughout the year.

Oh, I'm revelling, don't worry!

I still find the time to challenge your incorrect views though

I fail to see on what basis Nantwich see Zac as a Stand Off?

He never played SO in his junior days at Fev Lions - why does he think he can suddenly make the leap to elite level?

Buderus 46 tackles 0 misses according to league express.

I watched the game back a couple of times and Buderus's defensive lead was fantastic.

Whenever Graham took the ball in Buderus was straight there to cut him down. Whether it was tactics or Buderus took it upon himself he certainly was instrumental in taking out Saints major go-forward threat.

A great end to his Leeds career and pleased to see him cut out the silly errors.

Well done for this post albeit with the customary final barb!

As I have previously said his contribution in defending the ruck area (with help from JJB & JP) prevented Saints from making progress in the area that was most crucial to them if they were to win.

In my book Buderus was a close 2nd to the outstanding Burrow for MOM. He also directed our attack well and was involved in the build up to the tries from Webb and Ablett. Yet some pundits didn't rate his performance worthy of the top 5......!

It is good that you have seen that "Buderus's defensive lead was fantastic" even though you needed to "watch the game back a couple of times" to appreciate this. Many of us were aware of this at the first time of watching!

I believe that if you were to watch back some of our other previous matches this year you will see Buderus putting in similar performances. (even though not on the field for 80mins!) Had others (JJB apart) matched his efforts we would have won more games. He will take some replacing.

Outstanding defensive efforts, as you'd expect from a player's final appearance for a club. Really tore into Saints, and his technique is second to none. His defensive work rate will be missed next season, as I think that McShane has not excelled in this area so far.

I think you will find that I had to watch the game back because I had the misfortune of sitting in the Saints end behind an obnoxious bunch of aggressive St Helens fans who ruined the entire 1st half and spoiled my view of the game throughout.

Your assumptions and defensive reaction to me pointing out his error free game are duly noted though.

He'll be missed. And we'll only know how much he's missed next year. He's been a pleasure to watch, but times change and things move on. Gutting.

We'll be fine. Thanks for the memories but I am already looking forward to seeing Hood and McShane develop.

I'm not trying to be clever or have a go here G. Now you have the full picture do you think he was a good signing? I was the one who broke the news on the site! Up late browsing the net, it just popped up! I wasn't sure at the time what to think. I have thought his quality was always outstanding. He had some poor games but mostly was class for me. Genuinely interested to know what you think now he's moved on?

Cheers Danny, it's been a pleasure to watch one of the best players in his position of his generation.