Maybe next year, Think John Holmes first........?

Did you realise the clown they gave it to wasn't even in the country for the wards?

He had already snuck home to Australia the second his club was eliminated from the playoffs.

At least the equally ill deserving Hodgson hung around to collect his award.

Joke.

...and when he's done then Bluey should be a shoe in for the Hall of fame.

That's just typical of your anti-Mclennan agenda. Take those Tony Smith tinted glasses off. Sinfield is rubbish too.

Were Gary Hetherington and Harry Jepson wrong then or like me do they share an even higher ambition for their club in this golden era?

[i"Vee are attempting to build ze rugby team ZAT VILL REMAIN DOMINANT FOR ZE SOWSAND YEARS ! ! !"[/i

STILL not satisfied.

Mr Jepson was bang on. The current squad (that you claimed was not good enough) is the best ever.

Ok mate cheers for that

Not good enough to do what exactly?

Not good enough to retain the Championship?

Where have I said that this season? Surely, eventually such a post (if I ever said it) will be uncovered.

I've said that this season's squad was not as strong as 2008 and yesterday's result doesn't change that as the same can be said of our major competitors.

There are four pieces of silverwear available at the start of each season. This squad was IMO capable of winning all four had the 2008 squad been maintained or built upon. For whatever reason (possibly out of Leeds' control) that didn't happen.

Interestingly 2010 is looking better in that regard.

To go back to the original topic

McClennan deserves much credit - he may not be as technically gifted or tactically astute as Smith but he really knows how to get a team to and win Grand Finals.

He managed to peak the team at just the right time and whilst Saints were close they never really looked like they actually win - Leeds always looked like they had the upper hand - that belief and team bonding has improved immeasurably under McClennan.

His record is equal to that of Smith only it has taken him half the time - so if Smith deserves to go in then McClennan must also go in

Yes it does because its hard to retain a title but until this squad did it it was impossible to win a 3rd consecutive GF.

Also, finishing 4 points clear at the top of the table is something that the 2008 squad couldn't do.

its only a matter of time before McClennan is etched into the clubs proud history once and for all

bluey deserves massive credit this season. he has man-managed this season, with no pre-season hardly, supurbly well. nobody has panicked and the team has peaked when it mattered most.
a lot of fans say bluey is simply a motivator but he is far more astute than that.
we are lucky to have him

It all depends on the strength of the competing clubs. Leeds had a weaker squad this season but so did their nearest rivals.



Again that depends on more than just the Leeds squad strength. This season Leeds' league record remained unchanged on 42 points despite their frequent rest periods compared to 2008. And again the same can't be said of their nearest rivals.

Like I said, not good enough for you.

Seriously, you want to denigrate what we have achieved by putting it down to weaker opposition just to win an argument?

I'm butting in, that Saints side is one on the slide, they reminded me of the old gunslinger walking into the bar and taking on the new kid on the block and getting shot between the eyes.

Long, Cunningham, Wellens are all past their best, Gardner and Meli and weak and between them a total liability.

Graham almost single handedly carries the pack.

I think for those points alone Saints deserve credit for the way they played lasnight but the overwhelming fact this season is that the quality of SL has started to slide with the introduction of the likes of Celtic and Salford, the franchise system aimed at delivering better quality and stronger competion will not work.

Stating an opinion and hopefully a consistent one I've held all season.

Rather that than flip fopping every time the wind changes.

..An opinion you should change after last night really. You should recognise that you had a lack of faith in the playing squad and the CEO. Its' not to your credit that you steadfastly stick to your guns in the face of overwhelming evidence that you were wrong.

Luckily, I have consistently supported both and said, quite some time ago, that if Mclennan addressed the discipline, we would win it.

Yet to see any evidence that I ever said Leeds were incapable of defending their title only that they were weaker as a squad this season than last.

A view supported by the Leeds CEO and President.

? The same president that said the squad was Leeds best ever?

Are you elated with what the team has acheived this season?

Anyone with a modicum of common sense can see that our current squad could be strenghtened by the inclusion of another forward and a right centre.

A point missed by those who appear to be still carrying a torch for the previous managment,

but not thankfully by our CEO, or the more astute Headingley fans.

Our 2010 squad could be awesome, and on that note, I bid you all a Good Night

The CEO and President both said the off season recruitment hadn't gone to plan. That is as straightforward as it gets.

I've not read either of them saying that Leeds couldn't defend their SL title which is something else we have in common.

I'm pleased every time Leeds win a game let alone a championship.

I'd still rate the 04 win as the biggest achievement in the last 30+ years. Breaking that title drought was immense. Not to diminish what McClennan has achieved in any way at all. And I hope he goes on to be the most successful Leeds coach ever in terms of trophies.

Next year will be very interesting. 'On paper' Leeds look as though we'll be a good deal stronger (assuming Senior stays in form), although the Buderus-Diskin issue needs a rethink IMO. Sts will have one threequarter amongst the donkeys, which will make a difference, but I agree they appear to be showing the signs of ageing. Warrington should be more competitive from the off and I think Wigan will be stronger as well. I suspect Hudds and KR will drift a bit.

Perhaps the most interesting thing to watch for next year is Leeds' attitude towards the Challenge Cup. I suspect a lot of our players will be hugely motivated in their desire to win that. Looking at already announced signings for next year, they may never have a better chance to win it.

The last paragraph is the key - the quality on the field is seriously diminished - that is what the salary cap does it supposedly increases competition but in order to achieve that it has to bring the the top sides down to the level of the lowest common denominator.

The cap is a good thing if you want to stop a Wigan situation of the 90s - although with full time teams that would be unlikely to happen - but it needs increasing annually with inflation - the cap hasn't moved in value since its inception - this penalises the sides with the good business plan

For me I would give each player a value - youngster no value to encourage developement and inclusion - a figure for GB players depending on experience, overseas players would be the same value regardless of status thereby encouraging clubs to only recruit the top players and then a value for a side in a game ie £3m and then the coaches would need a blend of players to make up your side