Out enthused and lost the aggression battle - Peter Gentle/Paul Cullen/Peter Gentle/Paul Cullen

Gentle living up to his name and the players have always looked like they can handle what Gentle has to say if they capitulate. Perhaps he is too nice , great tactician , great knowledge but not tough enough in his character to have them also fear him as well.

Players fear Fergie , they do , they feared Cloughie as he demanded the absolute best from his players.

The difference between champions and nearly teams is quite small and AP will be looking at that small gap closely I tell you

It looked like Holdsworth didn't want to get dirty, i really feel Richard Horne should be in the 17 man squad next week.

Fans talk about players we were missing , well that's a lame excuse. Do you think we will EVER have a full strength side out EVER ? When Watts/Tickle and Ellis are back , I bet Holdsworth/Briscoe and Lynch will be injured.

EXCUSES but no real reasons

I think we will finish about 5th this year , maybe CC quarters , 1 win in play offs at home v 6th

IS that enough for AP ?

Very poor tonight I thought.
Halfbacks were non-existant, although partly because Leeds closed them down very well.
Houghton was poor imo, we looked a far better side with Heremia on. He actually got us moving forward.
Defense was less than stellar too.
All in all, a lot of work to do before next week.
Still, only first game of the season and things can only get better.....can't they?

Went but left early. I can't say I'm deflated, because I didn't buy into the hype, but I'm sad that I'm not bothered/surprised, just a bit numb to it. Having lots of average halves to partner Holdsworth is no substitute for a really good one. More grunt needed up front. Right edge looks flaky. Same old same old.

Isn't that what all fc fans do leave early.? Hope ellis is injury is not as bad as it seems.!

Why so doom and gloom? Its a new era remember?

Arundel was actually ok early doors. Moon will tear many a centre to bits. Think he was ragged when team was and tired through volume of work. Some very poor efforts mind.
McDonnell was fairly impressive at times can see him being a big part of our attack.
Aaron was our best player when on, been banging on about him starting n Danny off bench. Still think the same.
Holdsworth really had nothing to work with.
Missed watts and his offload tonight.
Ellis massive loss obviously. To be honest I felt like we'd lost before the game started. Just felt like the sort of thing that could only happen to us!
To many poor players. Westy 2nd half no show
Whiting nothing
Galea poor
Seymour poor
N Danny Houghton was worst I've seen him!
Disappointing and anti climax but also Leeds were as good as I've seen a team on the opening night!
Won't be slitting my wrists yet but I am bit gutted.

Good summary. Did Westerman cost north of £100,000? Can't remember, but into his 3rd year I have to do the unthinkable and agree with Lee Richardson - how many games has he bossed?
I thought Holdsworth showed some good signs TBH. Can't complain about injuries though - 3 out is nothing really and back row is where we have the best depth.

Where to start?

Joe Westerman should never play 13 again, we've taken a naturally gifted athlete and turned him into a cart horse.

Back row rotation was abysmal.

Houghtons passes from the play the ball was awful and the main reason why Leeds looked so quick out of the blocks.

Westerman is an idiot.
He will continue to lose more games than he wins you.

Thought Green stepped up tonight and was aggressive. What I come away thinking is about our style of play. Gentle stated we will keep it tight early in the season.... Why? Leeds didn't and prospered from it, the only way to build combinations is for the backs and half backs to get their hands on the ball and run with options and run different lines but we didn't and we threatened rarely.

Arundel was left out to dry.

Why?

Loses his head and becomes a penalty machine far too often.

150 I think! Wide running 2nd row for me though n not a 13. Neither 2night though for most of it.

How many games is Westerman supposed to boss? Had he ever done it at Cas in SL? No offence but its like asking a centre back to score you 20 goals a season, it's not his game. Sooner people realise that the fee paid was simply a token gesture from our old board to keep us sweet the better.

Exactly, his fee is irrelevant.

Playing him at 13 is criminal though.

How many did he concede tonight?

Josh Hodgson conceded 5 more last season, how many games did he lose you?

Seems everybody [ibut[/i Gentle thinks that!

It's when he does it. Watch him, he concedes penalties in bursts for petulant things, often putting Hull on the back foot at critical times.

Given you're so adamant, I'm sure you have numerous examples?

I'll save you the trouble, you're talking e and I see him far more often than you. Now, Josh Hodgson...

If he didn't play at the Etihad you'd have comfortably shut that game out.

Why's that?

If Ganson wasn't the ref we would have, but he was.

The reason I gave above.
This is very dull and whether you agree or not is immaterial. Watch him.