IF true then it really is not fair on those paying spectators.

Nor is it fair on some of the young lads playing so well in the U-20's that might have expected a crack, knowing that the first team were indulged in their not 'focusing' quite so much.



If you don't give the likes of Ward, Singleton and Olds some mid season time in the same 'key' positions as the present uncumbents then you can [uguarantee[/u a difficult transition in coming seasons.

How is it not fair on paying spectators? Would you sacrifice building for the big games, for mid-season consistency?

after 2009, when saints threw away top spot, I still hoped for more consistency and we've got worse even after declaring this year wouldn't be like last year.

For 20 years I bought a season ticket with hope and it only seems to be after the golden period of 2004-2005 that i seem to question the merits of a season ticket when standards fall.

Just can't work out if the team enters some games with the attitude defeat doesn't matter or they are coached that way for certain games. Sometimes the other team may be so much better (saints away this year for example) but so often we've fallen below the levels of such as the warrington, manly and wigan games.

What other product would you pay for in advance expecting it not to work half the time.

What the (El) devil.....I think you are getting there!!!

I think Big Mac deserves great credit. None of us know what goes on on the training field but he has shown that firstly he can motivate the team, which is no easy matter considering the pedigree and time at the top of so many in the team. He has also shown that he can create a successful game plan to win the big matches. And he has shown the judgement to ask some players to take on different roles. He has also shown he can prepare the team to peak for the important occassions. For a young English coach these are some achievements.

I do not believe for one minute that this team and coaching staff are going into any game without making the preparation and planning to win. What I do accept is that with age (and I should know!) it becomes harder, perhaps even impossible to keep consistently sharp. Much has been said about resting players and more rotation etc. But when the players timing is a bit off the best way to correct it is by keeping playing. You only get match fit in a match!

In the modern game if your timing is just slightly off and you come up against a side running hot with perhaps some decisions going against you, then you can be blown away so quickly. Momentum is everything. I think that has happened to Leeds quite a lot in recent times.

Maybe some of the youngsters could have played a bit more but I can understand why most coaches will stick by the proven experienced players when the chips are down.

The Leeds players really want to win the Cup that much is obvious but I have a feeling that they would also like to achieve what many think impossible and that is the double.

Brian Mac has maintained the team spirit through the bad times both last year and this but had he lost faith in his first choice players this could have been a disaster. The players know this and they look to be about to repay him once again...we hope.

I do not for one minute buy that either the team or the coaching staff deliberately set out to under-perform for chunks of the season.

Some of the key pillars of this Leeds side either have a lot of miles in the legs or are still finding their way at this level. Consistency of performance is bound to suffer as a result.

In 2004-05 and again 2007-09 the bulk of the squad were at or approaching the peak of their careers and better able to turn it on week in, week out.

So for the last two years its coincidence they have been average at best until this time then hit there straps?
Sorry andy no. Leeds have found a formula and are sticking to it

The coincidence for that last two years is age which has only taken its toll during this time.

Was your "formula" theory was created on a 'grassy knoll?'

You think im wrong? Just say it instead of snidey comments

As for age im guessing the average age is about 27 ish.

I'm guessing the average age for our key men is 31 ish

Maybe so. But the team overall isn't old. In fact its a good mix.

I don't think there is formula at all.

We beat another team on Saturday in a one off game. At least 10 teams in super league should be just as capable of beating any other on a given day. Simple as that.

I will stick to what I have said all season. This team is very capable of winning one off games, but does not any longer have the legs or the ability to do it consistently. We won on Saturday, but I think there is a bigger chance of us losing this Friday than winning, as I don't believe we can back up performances. And I can't see us been able to perform to the required standard for 3 play off games in order to win the main trophy of the GF.

The players may well believe they can turn it on as required when it matters, but I personally think their body's show differently.

Depends on who they come up against and their form at the time. Last year it fell very nicely.

=#FF0000Last year that's the point.

Looking at leeds last ten games i think they peaked for the wcc then aimed for semi final time and to hit the play offs in form again. All the last few are winnable games. It will be interesting to see how wigan fare having been 100% from day one

I don't think we can look into anything from the Semi final. The games leading up to it were easy winnable games, and in truth in patches they struggled. The Semi was a game that the players had the ability and desire to put a huge effort in to win.

Like I said previously, the test comes in backing it up. I wouldn't be surprised if we lost on Friday. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if we lost 3 of our last seven league matches, despite all been against oppossition you would prefer to have, and probably losing the two games either side of the cup final.

Friday will a struggle i think but i expect us to finish fourth looking at remaining games

Neither do I.
I agree that fatigue could be a part of poor performance, after all they had to come into the season ready for the WCC rather than half-cooked, that alone will account for a mid-season dip in fitness (and form is very difficult without fitness).
Hence June was not a good month.

I'm arguing against myself here, I am hoping that's the case and that we are poised for a storming last third of the season.
But it'll take more than a couple of games to convince me.

average age of starting props 35

I don't buy into this 'not trying until the big games' theory that some on here believe in.

Last year through out the season was poor but McDermott taking over late and having to bring in his own new coaching staff, no McGuire and Peacock to start with and even then took then while to get really going in games. Unrest with Cross and Burgess, Senior getting injured around May time and Sinfield, McGuire and Burrow changing from 13, 6 and 7 to 6, 7 and interchange 9. Also young players like Watkins and BJB giving a chance and then picking up injuries too. It also most importantly seemed to take a while before the squad clicked with McDermott as their leader, and McDermott himself didn't look settled in for quite a while.

As for this year, getting up for the WCC, trying to rely on pretty much the same 13 to win every game, and complete under usage of the 4 guys on the bench led to this year's form and results we saw around May/early June. This year has not been as bad as last year, good wins at home against 3rd place Catalan and 2nd place Warrington (some will say Wire didn't play to good that day but 12 months ago i think we'd of still lost that one), we should of had Saints beaten at home after taking an early second half lead only for McDermott to not interchange enough during that game. As for some of the other defeats we have faced some really good performances (teams do actually raise their game when they play the current SL champions and WCC winners), have/will Hull FC play any better than they did against us at the KC? We met the Giants in their usually good patch, if that game was scheduled for any round after week 10 then it's probably 2 points for Leeds. Saints battered us the game after their coach left (happens a bit in sport) and Wigan away felt like a no contest with all eyes on the WCC. The real low part of this season came in the back to back beatings against Wigan and Warrington and too much i think got said publicly off the field that didn't help, McDermott questioning if the guys were waiting for the mythical end of season, GH threatened axing of under performers and Peacock getting into a spat with Schofield. Hopefully all looks to be behind them and the mood looks happy again.

There is still some structural issues within the team in attack and especially defence that willl rear it's head again at times that need working on and the problem of playing certain players too much with a CC Final and Playoffs looming is a worry. However throughout everything with the likes of Sinfield, Peacock, JJB etc on the pitch i know that 'not being bothered about regular season games' only exist in some fans head. (that last line cue a big sulking response probably from those who know for a 'fact' that the players aren't trying

)

Ranking of Leeds coaches during the SL Era

SL Regular Rounds only :

1 - Graham Murray (78.00%)
2 - Tony Smith (76.13%)
3 - Brian McClennan (73.46%)
4 - Daryl Powell (65.00%)
5 - Dean Lance (59.00%)
=#0000BF6 - Brian McDermott (58.51%)
7 - Dean Bell (44.00%)

All other 1st Grade Fixtures :

=#0000BF1 - Brian McDermott (92.86%)
2 - Dean Lance (72.73%)
3 - Brian McClennan (66.67%)
4 - Tony Smith (65.22%)
5 - Graham Murray (58.33%)
=6 - Daryl Powell (57.14%)
=6 - Dean Bell (57.14%)

Wigan should be fine as they have a healthy lead at the top and have no CC final whereas closest challengers warrington are in the CC final.

They've enough time to emerge from their current funk and hit form again for the playoffs. They're certanties to contest the grand final.

Nobody mentioned not trying or not bothered. Its easing through training and games saving energy for the final third.

Agree tad its the not "competeing" and its happend far too often to be just dismissed as not worth mentioning or getting all kinds of labels for questioning performances ,selections and tactics etc etc.

Professional sports men are a competitive breed and it is not something you can switch on and off or contemplate deciding to sometimes deliberately not compete. You either have the will to win or not. Equally professional rugbyplayers know that if you try "easing" through training and games you will increase the chances of picking up injuries or getting dropped.

Why is it that some folk prefer to believe in conspiracy theories rather than except the fact than as human beings we sometimes fail to produce our best performance. If the coaches were part of this theoretical game plan they would be running a very high risk of getting sacked as word would have got out to the management and fans.

Because we managed to turn around our form and make a historic Championship winning finish last year does not mean any sane coach would consider taking such a risk and deliberately go to that dark place again. Would any coach really believe that he had a magic formula to achieve success by repeating the events of last season?....