Good win for us and normally I'd be buzzing but to be honest when I saw the team sheets I had a feeling it would be a big win for Cas and I feel a bit flat about it all. I've read and agree with a lot of the above posts but just to put things in perspective on the coaching discussion. Cas had 3 recent loan signings on the pitch, Larne Patrick, Danny tickle, and Paddy Flynn. Flynn had played one game this season, Patrick hadn't played many more and Tickle had been out for 9 months with a career threatening head injury yet all 3 slotted in seamlessly tonight.

I did notice that in his post match interview on the field that he had taken off his Leeds track suit that he had been wearing and was in "plain clothes"

Hardaker is very fortunate on several occasions not to have been sacked by the club. I'm of the opinion he should have been on each of those occasions but I understand the reasons why he wasn't.

Behaviourally, he's extremely high maintenance for the club and unless he's ripping it up for the team on the field and playing well, then he simply is not worth the effort of continued maintenance. Once the negatives begin to outweigh the positives he offers, it's time to go. That's why he'd currently be my first out of the door if a clearout is deemed necessary and the culture and atmosphere at HQ needs freshening up.

I've no idea whether McDermott is playing hardball with Hardaker but if he is, then surely he's within his coaching and management remit to do so if he believes it is justified?

Fully agree. Who do you think needs to go? Achurch is a goner and for me Falloon joins him on the plane with probably Delaney who has given his all but the injuries have caught up with him now. Walters is a million miles away from the required standard we should be bringing through, i don't know how he keeps making the 17.

Then we come to McGuire, Burrow and JJB. all at or approaching mid 30s now so how long do we keep trying to flog them or do we start afresh and build a squad around a new set of players and start on a new generation from this rock bottom position? Personally i would keep McGuire and Burrow around for another couple of years but JJB should probably make way at the end of the year (he is still giving his all for the club it has to be said right now but i would rather him go out on his own terms playing well rather than an injury down the line.

Then you have players who haven proven in years gone by that they are WC bracket.Hardaker,Hall and Watkins don't become bad players overnight but something seems to be badly missing, especially where Watkins is concerned.Does he need a fresh challenge? something is wrong he doesn't seem d to me and has hardly done anything of note all year so far, it is now quite alarming for a guy touted as one of the best centres in the World not that long ago.

You better hope for your sake you're right otherwise many on here won't ever forgive you for getting their hopes up

Wouldn't surprise me seeing his post match Sky interview and now the one on the Leeds website. Looked like he didn't want to defend the players with regards to the question about "effort" but felt he had to avoid saying anything controversial.

Maybe he hasn't lost the dressing room, maybe the dressing room has lost him and he just doesn't have the same motivation to lead this group of people as he did with the likes of Sinfield, Peacock and Leuluai.

This is it in a nut shell.

I really feel for the guy. I would have tons of respect for him if he came out and held his hands up and walked away now TBH.I really hope it doesn't come to GH having to fire him, he deserves better than that after all he has done but things just can't go on like this imo.

My son advises there is noise on Facebook that rhinos put on Twitter he had resigned then removed it 2 mins later but I suspect it is rubbish.

That's incredibly unprofessional if so.

Agree with most of this. Acurch, falloon and jib all at end of contract. Walters not up to it. If that allows enough for good hooker and stand off may be ok but probably need another 2nd row. If Delaney left would need more back row cover. Think we have some real issues and pace is a big part. Would keep all back 5. Watkins is too good to let go but what is happening this year With his game I have no idea. If McD goes now, who would replace to year end to keep us up? Kear to lifts spirits? Can't think of many options

That wasn't a performance - after GH's email during the week that was a statement by the players. GH will be absolutely fuming.

However we've got here, something has to give.

If BM stays, he should drop as many as he can of the senior players, bring back Luke Briscoe, Falloon and Baldwinson and as many Academy lads as he feels he can play with respect to their safety. If BM doesn't do something radical right now he won't have to wait for the end of the season to go anyway. IMO he needs to send a statement to those players that they aren't indispensable.

If BM goes quickly, I'd bring in a stop gap - not one of the current coaches - but make clear that's all the appointment is for. Then look at recruiting the best available for next year.

The only other option would be for BM to offer to leave at the end of the season. The players then might start playing for pride or whatever if they know he's not going to be around. Regardless, if BM hadn't 'lost the dressing room' previously, its clear he has now.

Anybody notice on Sky who was giving the Leeds half-time team talk?

Must have been Ronnie the Rhino

Why?

Motivation isn't a switch you can flick on or off. He'll have hoped that by keeping the likes of Sinfield and Peacock around for longer that the players left would've copied and carried on their professionalism, determination and character....seems as soon as they retired that for many players it didn't rub off on them at all, that would be incredibly disheartening.

When two of your main guys have gone from Sinfield and Peacock to Watkins and Hardaker in terms of the attributes listed above then wouldn't be surprised to see it hit his motivation for the gig.

Of course it's unprofessional to be willing to do your management job with optimum staff and conditions but not in other circumstances. I don't think that's what's happened, by the way, but that ("the dressing room has lost him"icon_wink.gif was your theory.

He still has been wiling to do his job though hasn't he.

Either way a change is clearly needed somewhere at the club. If McDermott walks or is sacked not sure what we would do assume one of the assistants which I wouldn't be in favour of. Succession promoting from within is ok but works best in successful sides, it all seems stale at Leeds at the moment and needs some overhauling I personally think.

Garbutt reminds me of former Wakefield player Jarrod Hickey. Google him. Hardaker at wing is illogical. Having a sub unused for 65 minutes (usually 80 with mcdermott) in a team who've suffered numerous injuries is illogical. Barely testing a winger who's played 1 game in 9 months is illogical.

Moving on, what was JP's twitter about?

Full credit to the leeds fans who stayed and we're vocal at that.

What did JP Twitter say

"Those who have played the game......imagine 2 wingers taking the half time talk..."


Anybody?

JP is having a dig at Brian Carney and Jon Wells being pundits it seems on twitter, I could be wrong as he isnt clear but this is what it seems.

He is maybe a bit jealous given he can only get punditry employment with the BBC once every 8 weeks for the odd challenge cup match.

Either way, if he is indeed having a dig at them it doesnt come across as very nice or professional. After all, who is he to criticise anyones job after the calamity he has presided over at Hull KR?

Castleford's highest score V Leeds at Headingley was 34 (8/10/80 & 7/1/95) is now 52 (12/5/16)

Castleford's widest winning margin V Leeds at Headingley was 25 (8/10/80) is now 40 (12/5/16)

Before tonight - Last time Castleford won 4 in a row V Leeds was between 14/11/82 and 13/11/83

Before tonight - Last time Castleford won 3 in a row V Leeds at Headingley, haven't found one yet (only back to '59 though.)

On the plus side for McDermott's Leeds, Castleford failed to beat their best score and widest margin win V Leeds which came at Wheldon Road 2nd October 1983 - Castleford 54 - 4 Leeds. That proved to be Robin Dewhurst's final game in charge leaving the reigns to be handed to David Ward and Alan Smith on a caretaker basis.

So because they were wingers they can't he decent pundits? Strange. I doubt his comment will ever get clarified.

People also said we needed a change in 2010, only the 5 major trophy since then, more than any other club.
Its a bad season, for a whole number of reasons, next year will be a lot better, a huge over hall isnt necessary.
Possibly time to change the coach at the end of the year, as things are looking stale, I hope GH took Powell out to dinner after the game...
In terms of signings, lets blow the wad on a new top class hooker, and judge the pack and the halves at the end of the year.

I agree if it is that then its poor form from JP. I doubt he would take very kindly to suggestions a Dumb prop shouldn't be giving opinions on TV would he?

I find it hard to believe TBH, Carney and Wells come across well and certainly know their stuff that much is clear.

Did they, if so it appears they got their wish. I can remember the days when a 4th placed finish in the Regular Rounds, a Challenge Cup Final appearance and a Qualifying Semi Final defeat wasn't enough to keep a coach with integrity in place.

None of that is likely to happen this year.