I think some people struggle to determine the difference between panicking over results and criticising poor performances.

Anyone who thinks Leeds performances against Warrington, in the second half against Huddersfield in the league, then at Widnes were anything other than shocking and cause for concern didn't understand what they were watching. A continuation of that level of performance would certainly have cost Leeds a top spot finish and possibly worse.

The cup performance against Huddersfield was the exception in that run of four games rather than the rule. Sustain something like that level of performance, and Leeds will be fine. When that level of performance dips significantly to some of the nadirs of recent weeks, it's fair game to comment on both it, and the potential consequences if it isn't put right.

No misunderstanding, of course they were poor performances but they're bound to happen it's the nature of sport, of life even. Fair enough commenting on what could/should improve but look at the start of this thread and others later on, it's hilarious. Those are the people who don't understand what they're watching.

As if to prove the point.

Apparently not panicking about results but in the next paragraph uses the term "cause for concern". Then worries that 3 weeks of form will continue for the rest of the season and then fears that not only could it cost Leeds top spot but "possibly worst".

Think we really know who can't tell the difference between criticising a poor performance and panicking about results.

Yes, I'm really panicking.

Leeds performances are my life. I'm positively suicidal about it. Honest.

I don't know how I managed to get through the comparative highs of the 70s and 80s without topping myself.

Pointing out that a run of poor performances is likely to lead to a dip in results is hardly panicking, it's common sense. You might want to try it, rather than trying to score points.

Oh me and many others can evaluate performances after a game without such claims as you were coming up with just over a week ago......"I just can't see anyway Leeds can hold onto top spot"

Try laugh it off all you want and pretend you weren't slitting your wrists over a few results......but it's there in evidence just a few pages back. And that's not points scoring, it's just stating a fact and telling it how it is. Simple as that.

Simple is something you seem to have a very good grasp of.

But thanks for telling me what I was and wasn't thinking, when pointing out that if Leeds continued to play badly they probably wouldn't maintain what had come down to a two point gap at the top of the table.

I wouldn't give up your day job to take up that career in psychoanalysis just yet. Bit more work needed.

Really? Reminding you of what you wrote a few pages ago is psychoanalysis? Ok then.

That you pretend you didn't and are too stubborn to admit you did is only making yourself look foolish and no one else.

You panicked and feared we could end up outside the top 4, end of.

Long way to go yet before the top four is sorted out. Injuries can have a big say in who fills the top spots. You are equally stubborn in your assumption that Leeds will finish in the top 4. You may well be correct but it is far from a done deal.

I've said all along that injuries could be make or break for any of the teams involved including ourselves and even now I know there's always the chance we end up outside the top 4.....but same applies to the Wigan, Hudds, Wire teams that were getting praised for a few good games in a row.

However the difference is I don't base my opinion on what'll happen on just 3 disappointing games. Reality is Hudds away was always going to be one of our toughest games of the year. Disappointing to lose that lead but we still away from a team who've held a good record over us in recent seasons with a draw which could've been a win if Burrow didn't slip with seconds to go and we still put 10 more points on them than what other teams are averaging.

Yes we got done by Warrington, it's happens. Name a season when you don't have a game or two when the opposition nail it and you're a bit off your game.

Widnes no doubt was a poor showing but I think some underestimate how good a side they are at home. Beat Warrington and us at home this season and drew with Wigan with 12 men and pushed Saints hard. Last year Saints, Wire, Wigan and Hudds all lost there. Doubt their showings on those days didn't scream of teams who could contend.

Yet last year it could be told after the first three poor performances, what the problems were, and how it would effect us. It turned out correct.

FWIW I think if we were to beat Wigan on Saturday, which I don't think we will, then I can not see us relinquishing top spot before the eights, regardless of injuries.

I think if Wigan beat us on Saturday then they need to back it up afterwards. The next 4 weeks after that feature away games vs Saints, Hudds and Wire. Going by current away form it's hard to see them picking up much (if any) points from those. At least 4pts from a possible 6 is needed to make any Magic weekend win count. If they do well in those games then it still works out ok for us in one way as other top 4 teams will have dropped points.

Some quality back tracking and goal post shifting on this thread just recently!

I think Mr McDermott deserves some criticism for losing to such a mediocre Wigan outfit.

Possibly the worst Pie side for around a decade....and they still easily beat the 'Rhinos'.

One game in isolation you should never use as a measurement. So if it was last night alone you wouldn't go so far, although those tactics last night were poor indeed.

What is more important is how many games. It's a year since the last Magic weekend against Wigan. Our form over that 12 months, is probably on a par with an Hull FC, Widnes. That is what is unacceptable.

Some posters get their knickers in a twist when critisism is levelled at MCDermott, and the line always trotted out is that the poor performances are in the minority. But they are not, the poor performances are the norm, and that seems to get lost in arguments.

What should be argued more is the reason for those poor performances, is it purely MCDermott or is it the options he has available due to poor planning?

I have said on another thread that I don't think Leeds can play much better than they have whilst some other teams have another gear once they get all their troops firing. Leeds are more fun to watch this year the constant off loading is great but the fundamental problems i.e. lack of attacking structure that have dogged McDermott his whole Leeds career still exist. You may well be correct in that he can only coach the players he is given - he plight isn't helped by having half a side that is well passed its best.

Leeds have not played with structure under the last 3 coaches. When it works is brilliant. When it doesn't is very frustrating. It was working for the first 20 yesterday, but something changed and we looked lost.

Whilst having some sympathy with your view, I think that you have exaggerated the magnitude of the issues to make your point. I agree that improvement from squads around us with a lower average age is more likely. But Leeds are capable of improvement, we have missed Briscoe and have also got a few others that don't look fully fit. Also our tactics can get sharper, as you pointed out our attacking structure has been less than effective on too many occasions. But the clubs around us contending for the top 4 spots have all, without exception, had issues. The outcome will in large part come down to who has the best pool of experienced players at the business end of the season. I have never felt that we have had top spot nailed on but I still think we are strong contenders, especially seeing as those in the twilight of their careers will want to go out on a high. Final thought, Half the squad well passed it! Really?

Wigan slowed us down at the ptb and we ended up playing the game on their terms. The big worry for me is that that was all they needed to do.

JESUS CHRIST! It's the thread that just keeps on giving.

I bet Hull and Widnes fans wish they'd won the CC in the 12 months since the last Magic and were currently sitting top of SL with, on paper, the easiest run in of anyone in the top 8.

It's not as though the coach could have been taken by surprise at Wigan's tactics....the coach and team certainly seem to have the measure over us....even when Gelling publicly openly states how to win; the Leeds team still seem to have no answer.

Would you say Peacock, Sinfield, McGuire, JJB, Kylie, Burrow, Ablett, Delanney are improving or getting slowly worse?

The older players may well want to go out on high but are they physically able - the last nine weeks will be week after week of high intensity rugby with no let up.

Would you say 8 was half of 25? Even in if they are all in decline and you fail to mention the possibility that they may be maintaining their overall level of performance. Being over the hump in perfomance terms is also different to being well past it!

Would you say that there is room for experienced heads as well as young bodies in our squad?

As to whether the older members can go out on a high, that depends on how they are managed over the next 9 weeks.

Although some of the older players were average yesterday (JJB was very poor) I would be more worried that some youngsters were average or dominated. Watkins did very little and Ward was completely overshadowed by Bateman. However McGuire, whose attitude constantly irritates, actually played quite well. Aiton also looked good. Hardaker seems to be the one consistent high performer, however I thought he would go the length and score but was easily run down by three Wigan players including Bateman.

There can be only one rational answer to that question. However, there are plenty of squads containing players who are also in decline - and in some cases, some who were never that good in the first place or who never will be that good. Overall, I'd say we won't be too far away from at least one trophy this year.

That said, my concern is that the magic weekend could easily be our side's biggest game this year, as indeed it could have in each of the last 3 seasons, in terms of occasion and attendance. It's a big concern to me that each time we've failed to perform at the required level. That suggests to me that should we even get to a final we may be more likely to lose it than we are to win it. I think that edge has now gone.

Unfortunately you are correct, added to that Wigan were quickly up and in our faces made for an uncomfortable night for our forwards.