Too modest Keith. IIRC it was the full boat - eight from eight - in 2011 for the unofficial Southstander Regular Season Table prediction comp. One of only two posters to call it before a ball was kicked.

After 30 odd appearances McShane should IMO be performing better than he is, He should have learnt a few more tricks of his trade by taking notes from 2 of best hookers to play in Superleague over the past 10 years.

The rugby played in the WCC was of the highest order...I call that a peak, we follow a team who know how to peak, as 5 Grand Finals prove. I prefer to be positive, the alternative is sad ar5e moaning just because we lose 3 League games in a row..I thought the thread was 'Nothing to worry about'...and i certainly am not worried.

I still regard both Hull-based teams as unreliable

I'm not worried about league form, because as KS says, we'll still qualify for the play-offs and our season will begin then. Its the long term viability of SL that concerns me more.

I'm not worried about league form, because as KS says, we'll still qualify for the play-offs and our season will begin then. Its the long term viability of SL that concerns me more.

I'm not worried about league form, because as KS says, we'll still qualify for the play-offs and our season will begin then. Its the long term viability of SL that concerns me more.

I don't see the reasoning behind that at all. McShane is 22, made 36 appearances with only 9 of those starting. Hooker is probably the, or at least one of the, most important positions on the field. I don't see it as unreasonable to give a young lad, that has shown potential in those 36 appearances, more time. 36 appearances is sod all really to get up to speed at hooker in the first grade. Plus there are plenty of Leeds first teamers currently underperforming.

It just seems a bit strange to write him off already.

True.

Can you see him still at Leeds in 2/3/4 years time playing regular first team?

Yes, I don't see why not. The club seem to think the same having given him the number 9 shirt and a long term contract.
I don't see why anyone would totally write off a kid at the age of 22 after limited game time.

Add the fact that McShane has appeared in a world club challenge and was a part of the winning team too. The criticism of him is totally unfounded.

Still reckon the kid is a dead ringer for Kevin Dick

I'm not so sure, he may have been given the number 9 shirt yes...only because he was the only out and out hooker at the club (apart from hood). When everyone is fit he has struggled at times to even make the bench, I don't think Brian McD is a massive fan along with many many Rhinos fans.

Mcshane did well when he came on today but of course it won't count with many because we put 50 on a poor Broncos team.

Just my opinion!! That doesnt mean anything ask KIRKE...?

The bottom line is these players make up a team OUR TEAM. Not everyone can be as brilliant as your Rob Burrow’s or your Danny McGuire’s due to the constraints of the salary cap. Both McShane and Kirke take up a slot that won’t be filled by an up and coming James Roby or James Graham anytime soon because players of that calibre are rare. Not just rare – expensive too and every position can’t be filled by superstars in this salary cap era.

Now we can either choose to get behind our players and support them as a team or we can nit-pick at them as individuals. It’s a team sport and if my team are winning then I’m happy for all the players for doing their bit. I’m never going to single anyone out for letting the team down if the team wins. It just doesn’t add up.

london were better than bradford mate

Macca has been named in the 17, 8 out of 11 games this season, including the wigan game when he was an unused sub. He signed a four year deal at the end of last season, if mcdermott didnt rate him he could have let him go

Diskin made his debut in 2001 and it wasn't until the 2004 season that people were convinced by him. Hell some still weren't right up to when he left.

I agree but that wont alter with those who have already written Mcshane off bud.

He looked sharper today, to me he seems to play better when being used from the interchange bench.

Which people were these?

Diskin was absolutely superb on his debut at Wheldon Road in the Challenge Cup while standing in for the injured hooker and the obvious 1st choice option at 9 (16 appearances later) as soon as Mears left the club at the end of that year.

I think it's more of a case of having momentum and running options to work off.
I also think his kicking game in either half is a huge bonus and hopefully the more he's used he'll cement his place then hopefully Hood will do the same and RB can go back to 7.