I totally get why people might think McD might be a bit of a problem going forwards, after all, he did take Quins from pushing for play offs to fighting to avoid the spoon.

I just don't understand how people can think it'll be a problem this season?! I mean, we still have the same players. It's not like Sinnie/JP/Buderus/Senior/Leuluai/McGuire/Burrow/Webb are all going to just become c[ir[/iap players because he's in charge. Players of that calibre must practically coach themselves surely?! Adding a new coach, with fresh enthusiasm and new ideas (even if only one or two of the ideas hold any weight!) can only be a good thing in the short term??

I understand the concerns for the future, when he's the man charged with finding us the next Kevin Sinfield, but for this season, he can only be a good thing.

After the consistent run of success we have enjoyed over the last few years it is unrealistic to expect too much for this season, bearing in mind that we will be without two of our most influential players for half this season plus a new coaching set up.

I would be very happy to reach the halfway point in the season still in touch with the leaders. With the boost of JP & DM returning we could well surprise a few with a strong finish.

I would also be very happy to see us returning to a more attractive open rugby style with a good offload game. Much will depend on the form and fitness of Sinfield, Webb, Burrow and Buderus but I still have some concerns about a lack of go forward.

So I am not expecting silverware success this year but hope that we play good rugby and beat everyone at Headingley

My expectations for the year? Leeds will finish in the top 4, will make the semis of the CC and playoff's and many numpties will claim it is shocking. I find it very interesting to see how many people are happy to write of BMD without even speaking to him. I have a feeling that he will prove many people wrong this year, and quite enjoy doing it.

Oh and AP will continue to see things in a glass half empty way on the board, but will be quite different in reality.

i agree, i think brian mac may surprise a few people.
on the playing side i thought last year we had our best squad, depth wise, for a number of years. injuries decimated us and i thought we did fantastically well to have the season we had.

assuming,

, we have a just the normal amount of injuries i fancy us to do well this season, certainly to be competing in all competitions

Think we'll finish 5th this year.If we get an early injury to Sinfield or Burrows then it could be as bad as 7th-8th.A change of coach has been good for morale and like said before the junior conveyor belt has run dry. But at least we have a team who never ever give in as shown in many games last year and surely we cant have a worse start to the season as last year.
Semi-finals for challenge cup as i think we'll meet another top side and come up short.
Knocked out in the 2nd weekly round of the play offs

I think Burrows & Maguire will be like having new players this season.

To be honest i think we will go slightly better than most on here expect. If we have abit more luck with injuries which undoubtedly cost us some games last season we have a chance. I think we will finish top 2.

I don't agree with the ageing squad notion. I remember Wigan winning everything then the bulls and both of those teams had plenty of over thirtys.

I thnk we will hit the ground running this season. Can see us being top around may time and with DM and JP to retunr that should give us a boost.

We will not turn into a bad team in a year. Just 16 months ago we were champions the team is pretty much the same.

Before AP comes back anc calls me a believest i am not. I am just looking at the squad in conjunction with a shake up in the coaching dept. I think we will go well.

So i expect: Top 2 and hopefully a run in the cup (lottery as they are one off games).

BURROW

His name is BURROW.

It's ok though, he's only played for us for 10 years.

Roughly the same as the the other half back named (mis-named) but you've let that one slide.



I stopped caring years ago, it's for the best.

I get it!

Looking back at last season I think we suffered with bad 'luck' in direct comparison to the good 'luck' we enjoyed in the previous three SL championship winning seasons. We had not really had any major or longer term injuries to key players until the start of last season and I think we were not able to recover from that poor start to the season and, when coupled with a good cup run, left us looking one step behind in both in the CC final and at the business end of the season. I think beating Wigan at the Pie Dome was our play-off peak and we did not have another performance like that to either get us to, or win the GF.

I think Bluey and the players were guilty of focussing too hard on the WCC and then when we needed to be at our early season best we had too many injuries and appeared to lack that spark we had shown in previous seasons. I also think that the discipline under Bluey was at an all time low and even though Silverwood ref'ed the WCC to suit the Aussies, the back-chat was indicative of our own frustrations.

I think the WCC is a poisoned chalice and although I enjoy the watching the game I am glad this year that it is someone else's problem.

I think we definitely have a top 4 finish in us and I think we will finish 3rd and could be close to second. I agree with others in that knowing how to win is a big advantage and I think we will go better this season than last but making the CC of SL GF would be a bonus and I think is just out of our reach. I also think that Tony will be pushing the Warrington boys towards the GF and he will take or leave Challenge Cup success... and I think it might be his downfall! I think it will be a Wigan/Warrington top two and a Saints/Leeds 3/4 BUT I think Warrington will miss out on the GF for either Leeds or Saints against Wigan. I also think Wigan will make the CC final but Warrington will not make it, who Wigan will play at Wembley I don't know... it could be Hudds who will peak too early again but might win the CC?

I think we'll be lucky to get into the play-offs.
We'll be beaten by the 1st SL team we meet in the cup.
I find that if I set my expectations low then I won't be disappointed if they come true.

Sad, but true.

Where's Bywater?

Success-wise, I guess about the same as last year. Too many key players likely to be past their peak IMO, whether it be through age or through injury and one or two may struggle to find sufficient motivation. Recruitment hasn't left me convinced over the club's level of aspiration, although in part this may be a consequence of contracts already in place.

Style-wise I'm more optimistic, though whether this will translate into wins in the games that really matter who can say.

One thing's for sure, I'm looking forward to the season's start as much as ever.

Yes I noticed McGuire too, but I'm more more inclined to let spelling go, at least that one is still the same phonetically. He could be shouting "Magwire" from the stands and nobody would be any wiser. Burrows however, does my tree in!

I think we should just pluralise all players, then I won't notice it as much. Peacocks, passes to Sinfields who chips it to Halls for a try in the corner. Works fine! We're often called a team full of Seniors anyway!! (See what I did there! I thank you!)

dont worry about it pal. i combat it by using tomkin and eastmonds whenever i can!

I was more concerned with the response you received rather than what you put, which was fairly obviously tongue in cheek coming from you.

Having just watched the highlights of the Crusaders game, either we're going to win the league, or they're going to finish bottom. I'd plump for the latter.

Talk about men against boys!! You know you've got defensive problems when Sinnie is allowed to get that kick away (About 1:45 in)!

Burrow's's's's is looking sharp too!

Considering Sinfield was key to all but the last one of the try's, you could say we would be up poop creek without a paddle if he gets injured.

That was always going to be the case to be fair. We're not the same team without Sinfield even when DMc is about. Without him either, well, let's just pray he stays fit!

.......and also stays in form.

When Leeds are at their best, Sinfield's usually the catalyst.

I'm a disappointed I've been sussed so quickly. I just wanted to be a troll.

Pay close attention to Mr Swiftcorn - then do the exact opposite.

You should be fine.