And we have only conceded 82 points in those 10 games. 2 less points than Bradford today!

Made life hard today for ourselves but came out better in the 2nd. Suppose 2nd Easter games aren't always the best performances. Scored some good tries and also the defence again. I know some will harp on about the level of opposition but when you're keeping teams to 4 and holding them up over and just short of the line several times then it is very good.

As for being top, always good but need to cement it by beating Wigan at Headingley in our next league game otherwise they could leapfrog us with their game in hand. Saints have had a tricky run but now face a decent run in league whereas our May is very tough.

The next period of games will shape how our season pans out.....

Saints - H (Cup)
Wigan - H
Cas - A
Wigan - MW
Hull - H
Wire - A
Quarter Finals of CC IF still in it
Hudds - H

It's because all the other sides are rubbish, the standard of SL is at an all time low and we'd be bottom of the NRL.

Regards, Keith Swiftcorn, Sal

Oh of course that goes without saying. That's why those who'll tell us the opposition is so poor had Leeds listed around 5th/6th in their prediction tables even though they knew the squad lists of other teams at the start of the year.

Top of table clash down lane anyone?

you're proving that you are no fluke.Should be a good one darn t lane

Well done for being top, but at present the quality of Super League is very poor. Leeds have defended well all year, think we will finish in the top three now, felt at the start of the season top five. The Wigan game is the yard stick for Super League season. But as others have said the quality is very poor this year.

I predicted Leeds to finish in 2nd spot with London 13th and Bradford 14th. Totally missed the rise of Cas despite admiration for coach Powell.

Irrespective of the opposition we are top on merit but as has been pointed out much tougher tests are on the horizon.
I thought we got busted defensively too easy at times yesterday far too many "Andy Hay" attempts at tackling but the desperation to scramble & lack of Salford taking their chances kept it at 6 against.
Far more positives than negatives and the Coach deserves plenty of credit for his rotation and squad management thus far.

Well said rhinoms. Yes we face some big tests coming up over the next few weeks and we will have to fight hard to keep our No 1 status. You are right that Salford made too many tackle busts (36?) and this is something for the coaches & players to work on this week.

I think we were right to pick a strong team and the tough workout will hopefully put us in good stead for the Saints. I thought Moon had another good allround performance and Bish looks in good form too. His positional backing up was first rate and he showed us some classy centre play that led to Burrow's try so we should consider him a serious centre back up should we need one.

However as I am sure G1 will be reporting Bailey made only 4 carries!.....I mean 4 carries!

Bring back Kirke

I'd agree with most of your post, and particularly thought Bailey was non-existant, his only real contribution was being part of one of the tackles where we held Salford up over the line. His go-forward as ever was abysmal - I was discussing him at the game yesterday, he's got all the natural physical attributes to be a fantastic prop, as he was in 2004 - unfortunately he seems more interested in strutting around Armley and Bramley trying to impress the 15 year old girls and a few clingers on with how big and tough he is.

One thing I would pick up on your post was around BJB - I thought he looked great in attack, but his 1 on 1 defence wasn't great when Salford broke through the line - a couple of times his teammates saved his blushes with great scrambling defence.

I took this pic on the way out, left early to go elland road. Need to work on my panoramic skills.

....

.... And that is why Hardaker should not be used as a utility player and be allowed to continue at FB unless enforced. For the life of me I cannot understand why BJB is not used as the back up centre as well as FB and winger. To select Ward there before BJB was a mystery.
I am like a worn out record but why is that Sinfield and McGuire are considered to be bolted on selections at half back? Much better to have Moon at SO with an in form BJB being allowed a run at centre ( at McGuire's expense IMO )

I will agree McDermott is doing a better job this year even though it might be belatedly

.. Nice to see Achurch given a starting role as wide running second rower. Bailey should consider himself very lucky in his continued selection and the fact that I would now select Kirke ahead of him speaks volumes.

On a positive finishing note I agree the scrambling committed defence is a real joy to behold. That and the sublime finishing of all the outside backs is a major smile inducing factor in this year's team.

On another positive note - how good is Tom Briscoe.

He's a player you just can't help but like. He's got no arrogance or attitude about him, he simply gets on with his job. He's a strong as an ox in contact, with great leg drive through the collision, more often than not wins the floor, runs great lines, knows when to pass, and has pace to burn. If he wasn't such a bog eyed little sod, I think I'd have a man crush on him.

I think he is outstanding, and have said if for years.

One for tvoc here though, as he has always questioned the reliability of Opta stats. They had him down yesterday as 3 missed tackles, one I can remember, but the others not. But more puzzling they had him as 4 errors, where?

That's just not good enough, despite his 30 tackles.

Bish missed 3 tackles but it happens when the line is broken and the attacker can go either way on the FB particularly in midfield. It happens to Hardaker at FB too while at centre against Salford Hardaker missed 4 tackles.

When did it last happen to Hardaker at full-back?

According to Opta Hardaker has missed a grand total of three tackles all season from his eight appearances at full-back.

I would have liked to see BJB & Hardaker switch positions on Saturday after the game was won ie for the last 20 minutes.
That would have allowed BJB a chance to see how he went in the centres.

Well he missed 2 against London and 1 against Huddersfield. He has also had the benefit of playing behind the best defending players in SL this season. Whereas against Salford Bish had to defend against a high number of tackle busts and clean breaks coming at him from all sides particularly Hardaker's side

According to Opta Hardaker missed 29 tackles last year which was I suppose about 1 per game.

Do you simply always like to play devil's advocate?

Hardaker can be entrusted to always make a good fist of a one on one tackle.....BJB is a talented individual but his one on one tackling has about the same chance of success and parity as one Mr.Webb before him.

Bailey looked to be having trouble with his hamstring, he received treatment during most breaks in play

The debate on the defensive qualities of both FB's can be summed up in 2 words.....

Stefan Ratchford

Another two words

Rhys Lovegrove

I'm sure we can both remember when gameday at Headingley was almost always a Saturday. Those days sadly are now long gone.