Looking from the outside there seems to be a lot of mitigating factors. The loss of your training base and it's facilities certainly won't be helping. Add to that the influence that has retired and the injuries it's no surprise you are struggling. What shouldn't be underestimated (and often is) is the massive affect a lack of confidence had upon a side. That is what BM has to get back into Leeds. If he manages it you will start to climb the table as you have too many class players not to. Whether you manage to make the top 4 when it matters remains to be seen.

On a side note (and this applies to all clubs), as a sport we have been wanting a more competitive league where the team that won it last year can languish towards the bottom the next yet at the same time we complain bitterly now it's happening.

Probably because the latter hasn't been caused by the other teams improving combined with a small fall in standards at the champions - this year Leeds have dropped like a stone.

I'll give you 96 and 2006, but come on 86? Those two were decent players, much better than the other names you have mentioned there.

Bob Morris and Peter Smith? You're either joking or confusing them with someone else. They were among the worst players to have worn the shirt.

I liked them, although I was thinking of Steve Morris, although thought he was the year after 86. Can't recall Bob Morris though. Peter Smith, I really liked, thought he had some good games, did he have two years?

could be he was thinking Fullerton Smith and Steve Morris who i think played around 86ish. May be wrong

Steve "Slippery" Morris (Dad of Josh and Brett) was brought in by Leeds on a short term deal for the 87/88 season. He played mainly on the wing and was very decent. He came in the same season as Peter Jackson (RIP) and Marty Gurr.

He was no relation to Bob "Useless" Morris who attempted to play the season before.

I really think you're thinking about Steve Morris and Peter Tunks, both of whom were good. It's understandable if you've wiped Bob Morris and Peter Smith from your memory.

I said in that post you quoted I was thinking of Steve Morris. I also think I was thinking of Peter Jackson rather than Smith now I think about it. Peter Tunks was completely different and a class player.

Really don't remember Bob Morris though. Which position did he play? you must be right, must have completely wiped my memory on that one.

Infact the only real game I remember in 86 was the one on my Birthday in March against Warrington, getting hammered, and I think Bishop tearing us apart. That is why it sticks in the memory.

Bob Morris was a short blond hooker and Peter Smith a dark haired prop. Both were really poor, signed by I think Peter Fox and neither of them played more than a dozen games for us, though tvoc can confirm.

Played in the truly magnificent JP trophy semi at Bolton, beating the then untouchable Wigan. Unfortunately that was also the day Lee Crooks did his shoulder spectacularly.
We had a pack of Tunks, Maskill, Crooks, Medley, Powell and Heron. Exceptional first choice forwards.

Good season that. Lots of class players from down under at all clubs. Not too much of the rabble which passes for overseas signings like today's lot!

I recall making the long trip to Whitehaven in the 1st Round of the JPST that season on a Wally Arnold coach. We only just scraped a win up there.

I was probably on the same coach. As good a season as it was the away game at Leigh in sleet and snow was possibly the worst game of rugby league I have ever seen.

I was at that Leigh game (Wallace Arnold). Will always be fond of Leigh fans after a group of old miners took pity on us shivering on the Hilton Park terrace and freely handed round their hipflasks.

A January game at Watersheddings was the worst though, where you practically needed ice-picks and crampons to get to a standing spot. And to think away fans now complain about getting a little bit wet on the Western Terrace.

The only morris I can recall was a small Aussie winger I think he scored in the JP semi- final.
Peter Fox was not a welcome appointment for the vast majority of Leeds fans. He made several poor signings.
I spoke to him years later at a rugby dinner, a decent bloke he said the club at that time did not have much cash for decent signings.
Therefore he tried his best with a limited budget.

Peter Fox was always a good rugby man but completely the wrong fit for Leeds at the time.

Arghhh, my hives are back, mentioning all 3 in one sentence is too much.

You are correct . The main complaint from leeds fans was his style of rugby was always forward orientated.
By and large the Leeds style of play was more biased to open rugby.

Peter Jackson was a class player, centre /standoff and an Aussie international stand off,state of origin player. Tragic suicide brought by child abuse by is junior coach.

Peter Fox was indeed the coach although IIRC when asked what possessed him at a fan's social event he divulged that Morris and Smith were signed without his knowledge. I'll have a look tomorrow for their appearance records with Leeds, although your memory would match mine, I think Smith was cut from the squad and didn't see the season out.

Why what have I ever done to you? Unless you mean Fox, Morris and Smith in which case as you were.

I am interested what you think the issues are William.

Those names bring back some great memories. Marty Gurr was on the pitch receiving his heritage number at the Wakefield game. He looked as if he has aged very well. Hope he didn't travel over from Aus specifically for that, i felt short changed making a 30 miles round trip!

Although I was in a minority i felt slightly sorry for Peter Fox. IIRC He had the job of rebuilding team spirit and reintograting the English players the season after the influx of all the Aussies under Bamford. He was also a bad refereeing decision away from taking us back to Wembley.

By the time Fox arrived at Leeds, the game was moving past his coaching methods, however he did not have much to work with. Sure he would have won trophies if had arrived much earlier in his career.