But Saints had to change things to win the game. We were already winning perhaps that's the reason McD didn't want/need to change things. Re Burrow at least but I do think he should have used Keinhorst to spell one of the back row.

I agree burrow but not using Jimmy to spell a forward was just dumb

I agree. If josh Walters or cam smith for example were on the bench you could also understand it. But keinhorst is a save pair of hands, good in defence and never lets anyone down.

Exactly, it beggars belief that he's been unused for two consecutive games, esp last week when his defence would have been more than useful
It was hardly surprising that Ward was out on his feet considering the amount of work he'd done in the rest of the game.

a little bit off topic, but I am reading a book about Paul Sykes, the late ex-boxer and hard man who appeared to rule Wakefield as well ! didn't expect McDermott's name to crop up but there was a bit of a feud with the family. It's a fascinating read by the way.

Id go further mate, if he doesnt trust a forward to do a 10-15 minute spell then they shouldnt be in the squad at all, never mind the 17.

And Printer, if your calling Holbrook dumb for not putting on his bench attacking threat until the last 10 mins then what about our coach who didnt use ours at all?

Im not in the camp that thinks Mac should be sacked btw (if we get top 4 then I think he has earned another season), but this substitution thing is suicidal and almost cost us AGAIN

I think he has to leave/retire whatever regardless of how this season finishes. Win or lose.

I agree. his times up

Aye, never knew it was Terry Mitchell that battered Sykes the week before he was due to fight Lenny McLean. Great read.

Most coaches plan for the times they will swap forwards around well before the game, then adjust due to injuries as very few forwards can play 80 minutes without a break. Not using a sub smacks of thinking more in terms of the subs being somehow "strategic" which is how they were used a decade ago.

Burrow I can sort of understand using that way and reacting to the game, but even then it really does raise the question of why bothering with him in the first place. If he's there to have a big impact then you should put him on at some stage, and if its to spell the hooker ditto - just different times. Keinhorst I just don't get, and I expect BM couldn't explain the reasoning either.

A determined group of men .....

once the game starts he's either unable or unwilling to adjust things as the game unfolds

I may have missed any of the sky team or other journalists asking him about his bench policy. Certainly I can't recall any other coach in super league acting in a similar manner in not using all the bench. Finishing in the top four may be considered by some to be a reasonable achievement. Considering last seasons disaster, going to old trafford would probably secure his position irrespective of winning or not. At the moment he doesn't seem particularly happy maybe he has had enough.

How often do journos ask awkward questions of McDermott (or any other coach for that matter)?

It just doesn't happen. Instead we get the Tania Arnold level of questioning which is as informative as reading a ream of blank A4.

Hardly ever. They don't want to lose access to the clubs and players.

Mind you if losing - _____ says we'll bounce back / keep momentum going! Leeds Rhinos Back/Forward (under name) says in an exclusive report by Peter Smith

Pad out story with buzzwords "going on a journey" "doing it tough" "all the lads""determined to put it right" and voila! Another cookie cutter, harmless article.

Only when we've been walloped/dire do we get a slightly different tone.

TBF the local journo has to maintain a good working relationship over a long period so they're not going to rock th boat. The others have fewer excuses.

Smith is now starting to question macdermott and his tactics. about time he grew a pair

Smiths just a yes man. You'll get nothing of any note at all from him.

Quite easy from your position to say, what about when his boss questions him why he's lost/losing access to the club?

Why do they need access to the club? They can find out everything that's going on at HQ just be looking on this site

as if Hetherington would ban his mouth piece

If that is the case he doesn't need access - the club could simple write his column for him?

Journalist need to be independent and the interviewee needs to accept that and they can't always have questions that don't challenge their performance.

maybe GH is getting Smith to do his dirty work.

wouldn't be the first time.

Yea none of these questions will come form him and I dont expect them too.

What I dont understand is why no one else in the press conferences (which he bound by contract to have) ask why he would leave 2 players on the bench, and whether he is thinking about overworking certain players and destroying the confidence of others