Do you agree with anything or anyone ?

I like you, you make me laugh.

This board wouldn't be the same without you.

Gosh, you have a leaky memory. I just agreed with you on another thread about Wello being worth another contract.


Splendid.


Damn right it wouldn't.

So we agree on that then

I can almost hear the Southstanders laughing at this thread its making me cringe. It reminds me of ooooo a dozen such threads asking the same question of our team.

I think Leeds are far from done for. They are merely going through what we have been over recent seasons, the question next season will be whether they have the youngsters or financial draw to replenish their squad. Its far too early to write them off, after all they still reached the cup final even if they did have an off-day.

None of that changes the observable evidence of Leeds looking jaded all season. They may spring anew next season, since they have re-signed all their old codjers, but this may indeed be the beginning of the end for them.

Of course they are fully capable of reaching the Grand Final again, not least because they may well have to play some fellow Yarkshire clubs, most of whom freeze with fright at the very sound of the words 'Leeds Rhinos'.

Of course not, but again there are comparisons with ourselves, Leeds have played more games than anyone over recent seasons with full seasons, cup runs, playoffs grand finals and WCC's, much the same as we did prior to our dour season last year and that can take its toll on a team over the period of three years or more.

One thing is for sure next season will be very very interesting.

I agree with you in that both us and Leeds have played more games each season for the past three years or so than any other team in the league (for Saints until last year we had the Challenge Cup final where Leeds had the WCC). However, last season we started off very strongly, rising to top spot, a position we held until the final game of the season, which was a gift to Leeds, in spite of losing five of our last eight matches and carrying a bunch of debutants in our team. Leeds last season started off slowly and crept up the league; this season they haven't really started at all but have gotten as far as they have, IMO, because so many teams are scared of them and we have been missing both our halfbacks in our last two encounters. So while I do get your point about our comparative workloads, I still think there is something deader about Leeds than about us. And I think if they make it to the Grand Final it would be an injustice because both Wigan and Wire have played far, far better rugby league for the duration of the season than they have and they really don't deserve to get there.


Now, that I can agree with 100%! (Note, St Pete!)

Dont worry, I'm having a good laugh at this and this thread is bookmarked, just incase we do have a weekend in Manchester in October.

That's fine, so long as you remember not all of us think you are a spent force.

Of course not. Theres some decent ones on here and quite a few idiots.

While I think yesterday was more a bad day at the office than a fall from grace (like Saints performance in the GF 2007), but I think for some reason this has been a hard year for Leeds to get going (except in the cup) and Old Trafford in 2010 might be a bridge too far unless they can spark very soon, especially having pick themselves up to play Hull and then possibly Wigan away in consecutive weeks.

Do you think you need a couple of signings to freshen it up? Undoubtedly the talent is still there but its getting older and there have been so few changes with only Delaney and Buderus (with Eastwood going) being added to the starting 17 for a few seasons.

The pack for next year looks a bit dads army with Peacock 33, Buderus 33, Leuluai 32, Lauititi 31, JJB 29, Sinfield 30, Kirke 29, Diskin 29 and Bailey 27 (Only Ablett 25, Burgess 24, Clarkson 20 and Ambler 21 "youthful"icon_wink.gif. I know you have signed quite a few projects for the future (Coady, Pitts, Amor etc..) but with the u20 struggling a bit this year, will they be ready to keep you at the top long term?

Honestly, i dont want to see any signings of "top players" i'd rather see some younger projects brought in again. I think that there will be a signing to replace Eastwood but thats it.

Its the start of a transition period next year (for me) The swap between coaches - McDermott taking control and the ageing squad replacement. Think JP has 2 more years in him. Buderus will be gone by 2011 end and the rest would probably have about 5-6 years in them.

wuss!

The problem is the Leeds U20 side has nothing in it, and hasn't had for three or four years. As you know I've had this discussion on your message board earlier in the season. For some reason, the Leeds academy sides have been terrible for a while. What is the reason?
You are in a better position understand than we are.

I don't think the Leeds 'era' has finished, they are far to good a team to just fade away.
But like all dominance it has to end, The Wigan era, then the Bradford era with Saints then being the best ( the Saints 'era' is far from an end and you will continue at the top for a good while yet) all came and went.

Leeds will still be a top four team and then either fade for a few years or immediately regroup and again come to the fore.

Success is cyclical.

End of debate.

I aren't really into watching the young uns game what with work commitments etc. But you say three or four years ago. A certain Mr Mcdermott left the club in 2007 to take up his coaching role with Quins. Rumour has it he worked alot on the Rhinos' youth policies and we saw success with the youngsters whilst he was at the club.

Hopefully, things will pick up again when he takes over at the end of 2011.

Nothing wussy about not wanting to be tarred with the arrogant, cocky or dumb brushes

Seconded.

Leeds have hit a bit of a blip but they are still a top side and always will be. Getting to a cup final is hardly a sign of a failing team.

The three big clubs are Leeds, St.Helens, and Wigan.
These clubs have for most of their history been in the running for the major honours.
Sometimes Wigan are on top, sometimes Saints, and sometimes Leeds.
Every so often a blip occurs and another team interlopes, and has a brief period of success eg Widnes, Bradford and Warrington.
At the end of these blips however normal service gets resumed and one or more of the aformentioned three start to win trophys again.

i wouldn't go as far as to say that its the end of an era. the facts are that(as predicted) wire exposed leeds big time on saturday with lots more skill and brains. leeds did the predictable thing and came out CRASH,BANG,WALLOP! hoping to gain the upper hand immediately and once they do they are pretty hard to contain(as we know all too well..) after wire stood up to them leeds became more desperate throughout the match i.m.o

i hope it inspires the rest of the teams that play leeds that skill,offloads and a bit of bravery in doing something different can disjoint them and they can be beaten soundly as wire showed many fans on saturday!

no,leeds era has not come to an end.on saturday warrington had the luxury of having to decide who to leave out,much like saints in 2006.leeds had trouble deciding who was or was not fit to play.a fully fit leeds side will still take a lot of beating.perhaps they have made a mistake renewing so many contracts but thats for another day.beware the wounded animal.

I don't buy into this end of an era thing, its like with saints at the min where you havn't won a trophy for around 2 years. Does that mean that your no longer a team that has a chance in the play-offs because you havn't won a trophy for a while ? No it doesn't it just means that a couple of other clubs have improved in recent years to a similar standard to what Saints and Leeds were a few years ago.

At wembley on saturday we played like the Saints and Leeds of old where it looked like our defence was almost impossible to break and when we attacked we made the most of our posession, you will never keep a dominant team together forever as it will eventually dispand due to age, new coaches looking for a different type of player and also player beying forced to retire through injury.

Both saints and Leeds need a few players but nothing more, both of you have a decent youth setup which is bearing fruit at Saints at the min. I don't call it the end of an era for a team that loses in a final for the first time in a while, its just a shock to the system and its telling you that you have work to do in training.

Its not as easy to win a trophy these days compared to what it used to like be when 2 teams dominated the silverware, now you have 2 more teams that are capable of winning the grand final.

If your capable of winning a grand final then their is no such thing as a team has come to the end of its era, anyone of Saints, Leeds, Warrington or Wigan can win at Old Trafford so its just about who turns up with their A game throughout the play offs and in the final itself.

Well said mate for me any of these 4 teams(Saints,Wigan,Wire and Leeds) are more than capable of winning the GF.
As for Saturday Warrington on the day were just too good for Leeds but that is the explanation,on the day.
It's like the last 3 GF for Saints
2007,Leeds were better
2008,Leeds were better
2009,Leeds were better(marginally).

edited for accuracy

I think I'd add Huddersfield to the list of potential Grand Final winners. I think they're dark horses. Not sure I'd write off Hull either, given that Longy and wotsit will be back this weekend. In fact - and I say this while stating I am in no way employed by Sky - I think this season's playoffs are probably the most competitive so far.