I didn't look down on Wakefield before. I looked at them with the same view I do now. They are a poor quality side with a bit of momentum due to changes made with a coach. That momentum will stop, with the harder games to come, and they will then be in their usual results level.

By contrast, Leeds are an even worse side this season so far, but who after the next couple of games, have the luxury of playing equally poor sides on a run which should see them pick up points they currently do not.

The difference for us, is that you will be back there next season, the season after, and the season after that, continuing until the game finally realises it needs to cast off the poorer clubs from the top division. Once Leeds realise their problems are bigger than floods, SPOTY, a game against New Zealand, and injuries, they will then recover back to what they have been for the last thirteen years.

So he was going to play in the halves then after all the noise the club made about playing Sutcliffe? What assurances would Burrow have that come season start and time to hand in team sheets that McDermott wouldn't stick two fingers up to him and say he's starting Sutcliffe and Burrow will be on the bench.

I am not dissagreeing with you. I am telling you what McDermott wanted, what Burrow did, and what Hetheringtons response was. Yes, he could have started what he wanted in the end, but he didn't get Burrow off the payroll in order to sign the player he wanted, and Hetherington gave Burrow assurances. I think the fact that Burrow got the captaincy in McGuires absence, who is the most unlikely captain you could have in a team, tells you all you need to know.

I only came on here for a laugh, and I got one. Cheers.

Glad to oblige. Cheers

We also know McDermott is a very stubborn man who has a "my way or the highway" kinda approach yet your story has him essentially dropping his pants and bending over to GH and Burrow.

Except it isn't a story, or a rumour mate, it is cast iron the case. Are you really suggesting he would resign at not getting his way? He didn't get his way with a new signing, what other option did he have so far this year other than playing Burrow in more game time? His options were limited. In hindsight though, and the development of Lilley I suspect what you are suggesting may well have happened, had he had the rsources to do it.

Leeds are a massive 8 points behind Wakefield with only 9 games left.

I don't envisage Leeds bridging that gap significantly either.

He might do it to journey, players fellow coaches but he sure isn't going to do it to his boss - where is he going go? Certainly not the NRL - Championship? maybe the Championship with Leeds

We know exactly what we are. I'm not sure you realise what you are yet.

To be fair to Wakey, pretty much everyone had them down for bottom of the table end of the season but they have taken advantage of the momentum created by a new coach, and the surprise demise of Leeds and Huddersfield coupled with Salfords points deduction to give themselves every chance of Super 8s which would be a huge achievment so kudos to them for that.

I still look around their squad though and see nothing but pretty much cast offs and journey men as usual, there isn't a player i would covet for our squad anyway. so until proved otherwise i would agree with Gotcha that they will be back to the bottom fighting for the scraps so should enjoy this year while the sun shining.

I'd be interested to see if Tom Johnstone's try scoring ability would transfer to an ambitious team with quality coaches - somewhere like Castleford.

Him on one wing Solomona on the other - that is some potent attack, makes Hall and Briscoe look very "last season"

He's going to Wigan, "allegedly".

Nor do I. Leeds haven't won many at home, none away, still to string two wins together and still to visit Belle Vue, that ball is firmly in Wakefield's hands - if it was in Leeds' they'd either drop it or run in to touch with it. What an almighty shambles the CEO and coach are presiding over while telling anyone who cares to listen we're going OK.

Bit unfair on Hall and Briscoe who have missed most of the year so far. We are still a far better team with those two on the pitch and i personally wouldn't swap them for the two mentioned if it was my choice.

While ever you believe it is down to missing your wingers you will never get out of the slump.
It needs hard work and effort for a full game.
There are easily enough top quality players in the Leeds team to win some of the games they have lost, but they are just not doing it, for whatever reason.

I think a lot of this reminds me of Wakefield last year. Clearly i'm not suggesting we have players of the same quality as Leeds had last year but we had players who were clearly better than their performances showed. Confidence in yourself and your team goes a long way.
We looked good against Warrington who are top of the league on merit, yet Arundal and Hall in the centre, Miller at stand off, Anderson and Kirmond in the pack all played against Warrington last year when we got a tonking at 80-0. McShane played in that game too. He played ok against you guys.

A bit of fitness maybe but ultimately it is confidence that has changed and a couple of kids that have brought enthusiasm as well.

Leeds would do well to look at that and see what changed so they can learn for themselves.
As you say, there is no one in the Leeds team that wouldn't get into another Super League side if they were available.

haha, who said it was down to our wingers?

i said we were a far better team with our 2 usual wingers but Handley has actually done a fine job filling in on one side. We have far more problems than on the flanks, but we are strong there when we have everyone fit,just pointing that out.

After the recent 4 year deal he has signed with Wakey of course he is!

You mean the one he signed in October last year, and announced in December? The one before this season even started and had such a good year?

Fair point - I think Solomona is the best finisher in SL and he would be in my side before either Hall or Briscoe. If you want your wingers to do the forwards job then Manfredi is your man.

Right, now we have given everyone a few points start, we are going to start to play now. We are following the Leicester City strategy. The great escape of 2014-15 followed by a long run of wins

Edited post.

Well that's our one more win out of the way...can't see where our next win will come from now....