Take it you're not a Brian mac fan then?

Anyways I actually think our current team has peaked, I don't think we will make the GF this year or the next, I'm fact it will be a very interesting few years as the old guard makes way for the new.

.....not least making better use of the bench: Kirke's selection continues to baffle and the non use of Singleton and Sutcliffe until late in the game is hard to fathom.

Sinfield at DH looks far more dangerous:

have faith in Sutcliffe to take over more last tackle plays with an alternating Burrow jumping in at DH on an irregular basis.

Warrington made Leeds look like an ageing tired side especially in the third quarter. As soon as the upped the tempo we were unable to cope. The forwards that were so dominant last week were completely dominated and I include JP in that.

McDermott got his selection wrong - he should not be starting JP and Kylie he should be starting Singleton and JP with Kylie as first interchange. The fact Kirke got more game time than Singleton was a huge error.

Burrow was good in the first quarter but his influence faded badly and his propensity to throw forward passes is an ongoing problem. Having said that he had more impact than either McGuire or Sinfield.

Too many forwards had no impact JJB, Delanney, Bailey, Kylie, Kirke, you simply cannot carry that number of players against a good side.

It will be a massive ask to come back from this - Saints are on roll and they are peaking at the right time. Team selection and the correct rotation will be crucial if we are not to suffer a similar humiliation to what occurred at Warrington

Despite one or two decisions going against us we were comfortably second best for most of the game. It will take a big improvement in performance to win next week but write this team off at your peril.
I agree dropping Singleton to the bench for Bailey was harsh but yesterday was the last chance to get Bailey some minutes before we are into do or die. The major worry for me is the obvious lack of fitness of some key players. Delaney for one is really struggling.
Next week against saints should be a cracker. Keep the faith.

More gate receipts and TV money. Enhanced match fitness for the semis. Warrington now programmed to underestimate us.

Perhaps, sometimes, winning isn't the cleverest thing to do?

Perhaps you are the most gullible, naive poster I have ever seen on the boards?

Serious question, how old are you? Below 18?

Old enough to spell, to master basic sentence structure and the rules of grammar, and to recognise personal insult isn't a valid form of argument. You?

Yet not old enough to have a sense of realism yet, hence why the second question was an honest question. You act like you have only been watching since around the 2009 mark, that was why it was asked.

But I am pretty sure, in fact almost 100%, that you are the alter ego of another poster on here who doesn't post anything close to what he used to. Surprised others haven't cottoned on.

I never expect a team to go out and lose but there certainly didnt seem the attitude that there was last week. The intensity wasnt there.

I'm not looking to bring myself down to your level with a playground spat. I know is all I will say.

Throughout all of Leeds successful last 10 years, can you recall any time where in an afternoon match, we have come anything close to the intensity we have shown in night matches when it mattered?

I commented on it before the game. The kick off time was poor for a major play off game. We don't perform in afternoon matches. One of the reasons for lack of challenge cup opposed to GF.

I can't deny the fact, but struggle to think why that may be.

The exceptions would be some of the epic challenge cup semis we've played in and won

100% wrong. Like everything else you know.

That doesn't make sense though, last week was a dead rubber league game, this although not knockout had far more importance.

If they were going to lack intensity it should have been last week.

If you look at many of those though, they have also lacked that breathless playoff intensity.

Last week was against Wigan a team Leeds always raise their game against.

Unless it's in a final.

None of our pack made much headway against a Warrington pack that came at us for most of the game with great line speed and from offside positions too. Whist I agree with you about Delaney's lack of fitness (his battery looked flat) I cannot see how you thought Bailey had a more decent game than the other forwards.



Burrow was by far our best player (and classy BJB played well too) and made the tries and most of the breaks from the hooker position at acting half back. Monaghan was very good but had the huge advantage of playing behind a dominant set of forwards who gave him quick play the ball. He was further helped in the 2nd half by our poor defence around the rucks where doors were opened for him that remained closed to Burrow. Whereas our forwards were dominated on the ground (assisted by a ref who allowed far too much Warrington wrestle time) with the result that Burrow, and Sinfield were getting very slow ball.

McGuire, Bailey and Delaney understandably all looked short of match fitness and I am not sure we can expect them to regain this for the Saints match

McGuire looked short of everything. Pace, fitness, ideas.

One serious injury too many IMO, time to give Sutcliffe the start in the halves

Agreed - same could be said of Sinfield

McGuire went off injured - is it even likely he'll be playing on Friday? Bringing in Sutcliffe might be useful anyway.

Bailey was as dominated as all the other forwards (JP included) but he did earn possession four times with turnovers.

Not much else positive to sat about any of the other forwards.

PS Kirke's work rate much better if ineffective this week.

Sinfield's performance was rather worrying. Where was his usual world class level of orchestration and direction of the team? I've become so used to the world's best player guiding the team around to such an expert degree of supermarionation to which Gerry and Sylvia Anderson could only ever dream about.

He needs to lift his game sharpish... not only for the Rhinos but also for England in the RLWC next month.

I wonder if any of the old guard will ever lose their place to a young player?Something has got to happen in the near future.