Yup

David is just thick.



See my comments re David above.

It applies to you too.

Did someone say something?

Danny you are entitled to your opinion - this is a free board.

Lots of things I may be bit thick certainly isn't one of them.

It was obvious to me and many others as far back as April that McClennan was a serious coach - better than Smith IMO. You and Gareth - it appears to me - judge coaches on trophies won - that is your perogative.

Why:
I got to games to be entertained and to see top players performing to their potential. Under Smith I always felt they were stifled/controlled. McClennan seemed to release the shackles and let the players display the great skills they have. Some of the rugby they played - Wakey away, Hull away, Bulls at Cardiff, Huddersfield away was simply scintillating - far removed from the negative yet winning stuff under Smith.

Another thing for me was the number of halves they went without conceeding a try - this included the WCC they would be near 20 for the year (TVOC can you help) that shows great desire and team spirit - something I would have thought both you and Gareth would have appreciated.

Finally all this done without a centre and a host of injuries the likes of which Smith never encountered. That to me is some achievement and is one of the reasons McClennan gets more latitude from me than Smith - because as a supporter McClennan has delivered on so many more levels than Smith ever did.

Touchy, aren't we - given that at no point did I mention you or your views by name?

But seeing as you brought it up, your inconsistent views of the quality and relevance of the Bartercard Cup competition which vary to suit your agenda have been duly noted - shag.

Oh, and try to leave the ad honinem stuff alone, it just makes you look even more sad and desperate. Mummy wouldn't be proud.

David, you know I dont really mean that but you still seem to think we had something against McClennan. We didnt.

If success is not judged on trophies, what is it judged on?

Touchy, aren't we - given that at no point did I respond to you or your message and views by your actual name?

Oh, and try to leave the ad honinem mummy stuff alone, it just makes you look even more sad and desperate. Daddy wouldn't be proud.

come on gents i think you mean, ad hominem.

[size=75you pair of bickering retards.[/size

Development of players, structures and the club as a whole would seem to me to be a basis to judge success - will the club be a better place for having McClennan as head coach surely that is the acid test? His record year 1 is superior to Smith's does that make him a better coach? not sure about that - they are different.

Smith is obviously a very talented coach so if he doesn't win the WC will that make him a poor coach? of course not if the team perform to their potential that is all he can do.

I don't think you and Gareth had it in for McClennan what I do think is you put Smith on such a high pedestal and used his winning two GFs to justify a whole host of baiting. For McClennan to eclipse Smith would simply not suit your either of your agendas. IMO your defence of Smith has done neither of you any favours nor has the personal insults that you have both been using on this thread.

You are both intelligent posters who make a host a interesting and valid points but no one is right 100% of the time?

Do you have any idea what this represents?

It was far easier and less time-consuming to just respond to gimpy's effort with a copy and paste job instead.

David,

I've said all along I hope McLennan/McClennan/Bluey goes on to eclipse Smith. I desperately do.

I think the guy is great. really affable. That is why I think he's judged by different standards to his predecessor which is unfair.

Here's hoping that we win it next year and you're pointing out you were right all along and MacLenon has proven to be our best ever.

Its Bryan Mark Lennon. Dumbo.

You make a valid point about McClennan's charm/approachability however I think it takes a special coach to turn the Aussies over in a game that matters. Maybe GH realised the players needed a completely different style of coach to Smith - much credit must go in Gary's direction.

Hopefully - I think 2009 could be a massive year - as long as they continue to develop and play as they have this year win or lose that will be good enough for me.

Stop it. You'll upset Ap and he'll start throwing personal insults your way.

Fx Guffaw HTH

The vast improvement in folk spelling McClennan correctly right now is a joy to behold. I guess he's finally getting the recognition that AP knew he deserved all along.

Well done all

Just to switch to AP mode for a second, Smith was the brother of a former Bradford coach who paid his own air fare over to coach Huddersfield (an appointmant that I seem to remember think was about as low as the British game could get -really would we take anyone to coach an SL side as long as was from Australia?). Then He managed to get Hudds to be "moderately average" (an achievement I know, for them) and then came to Leeds. He is less than scintillating in an interview (I remember his first appearance on Boots 'n All after his aforementioned flight to the UK - not inspiring0.
McClenonananamanlenon was an international coach who lead NZ to win the Tri-Nations. I can sort of understand why he was initially greeted with more enthusiasm than Smith by some and given more leeway early on (although there is no excuse for the crud Smith got last year from some).
Having said that, I slagged Smith off to a mate when he came over to take the Hudds job, but when Leeds appointed him coach I thought it was a shrewd appointment. The characterisitics that Hudds showed were all the things Leeds were missing - epitomised by the defeat they inflicted on us in 2003. My mate has not stopped reminding me of my initial evaluation of Smith, and I don't care, I am big enough to look at facts and change my mind.

in one of the rugby papers today smith states that he felt it was probably time for a change even if the england job hadn't come up.
i think thats a fair call

League Express, I've just finished reading it.

I think you're right, it was time for a change. I remember saying last year, I felt he'd go with thanks and relief from me. In saying that, I felt that coaches only have a certain timespan at a club before things need freshening up and Smith had got to that point.

Oh, and loving the headline for LE - "THAT'S WHY THEY'RE CHAMPIONS!"

Correction needed here, That's why were STILL CHAMPIONS

The sub heading is Rhinos claim back-to-back Grand Finals, so they just about get away with it.

Were?

We still are.

Correction needed here


That's why we're STILL CHAMPIONS

HTH

In fairness, it's a better attempt than the one in my text on Saturday night. Where indeed

Seems certain people never learn...