I know every Leeds fan is as dissapointed as I am, but this rubbish about the style of play needed to be changed is a load of nonsense. A couple of things just didn't go our way today, there's only one change that needs to be made, Donald for Hall swapping wings, reasons explained in another thread. It could have easily been so different...

Their second try was a clear obstruction the play before, when we were winning and had momentum.

The penalty to make it 12-6 was stripped before the man came into the tackle

If Burrow hadn't dropped the ball when Gidley was putting pressure on him, it was 3 on 1 on the left side.

If Donald had stayed in touch early on in the game

If Burrow had dummied to go right then go left when he was on his break, Wellens wouldn't have been quick enough to catch him and Gardner was in the defensive line.

If Gibson being held back by Pryce had been spotted.

If we'd taken the chance from the quick play of the ball after Burrow's break.

The forward pass try for Saints, the next set was a score under the sticks, I'm pretty sure Wellens wouldn't be able to convert from the touchline where Gardner's try was scored, awful defence for the Roby try, complete mix up.

All these are ifs and buts, however they're points that could have changed the game very quickly indeed.

a lot of if's there mate.

exactly so saints could say things about their if's and but's! This has not happened in this game alone and using the same tactics has resulted in 3 losses in the big games. stop making excuses

It's the excuse list, Bentham was awful...

Two very evenly matched sides. No need for a post mortem IMO.

thought you were the better side by a distance.we were good in brief patches only

IF,,,Only it rained,,,,Even McClennan said Saints were the better team....Get over it pal..

The point of the thread isn't really about excuses, it's about how one thing could have made things so much different and we'd be in the next round and then we wouldn't have people taking their frustration out on the players!!!

This is Leeds fans you are talking about dont forget.

You could possibly add Sinfield's kick off that could have easily not spun backwards and got us a drop out.





It did seem like one of those games where the little things didn't go our way which coupled with the fact that we didn't take our chances meant we came up short.

Im not blaming the players i think it is some tactics that are backfiring. I think the squad is fine

Agreed. We were always probably going to have to play Saints at some stage in the Cup, the best place to lose to them is now, not in the Semi or Final when we would have had 3 or 4 extra games, where 2 or 3 of them would have been bruising encounters.

and if JP hadn't left his contact lenses at home

if they hadn't had another good week of training - each time they come out and say that we don't fulfil the promise - no bl00dy good peaking in training

it's all ifs and buts - at the end of the day we were second best

agree with that,it's how we played though.we just don't seem organised,little structure in the team. thats a massive part of any team sport

IMO Peacock had one of his best games for us all season, like so many times before he was the stand out player in our pack.

Saints were by far the best side on the day - the score flattered us - it is one game not a season - hopefully it will spur GH on to recruit a quality second rower or centre - I personally would like to see us sign Tony Clubb.

I wasn't criticism it was adding to the if list

The organisation will come, this is the first time we have had Burrow, McGuire, Webb, Sinfield, Diskin and Buderus in the 17. For the first 3, 4 if you include Burrow not playing in the WCC, we have had half of those out. I'm expecting a big game against Bradford on Friday.

I'm not sure on that one personally, The last time i saw him i seem to remember him as a Carl Ablett type player although that was about 1 year ago i so he might have improved since then, Personally i'd rather have Ablett although that isn't the debate...
Agreed i think we need to add a bit of beef in the Tony Puletua mould i have been really impressed with him from what i have seen...

Correct. The significant difference for me today were certain coaching choices.

1. The Roby initial rotation timing was critical given we left Ablett and Diskin on the pitch too long.

2. The failure to correct Burrow's defending position outside Senior.

3. The Buderus selection was a failure (granted with the benefit of hindsight.)

4. Their decision to leave Roby and Cunningham on the pitch together was crucial given we couldnt respond to this.