has he not done that since 2001?

FWIW, clearly Buderus is a better player and clearly we'll feel his loss but Diskin will show better form for starting and playing longer periods.

We've shown we can win titles with Diskin at 9 (three of them). I see no reason why Diskin being first choice hooker (again) should alter that.

So Worrall and Gibson are going to be moving on then. Given the strategy over Watkins, and more recently Ratu, I wonder if we will be picking up another Centre or simply going with Coady once he is "ready".

We definitely look a prop light next year, can you imagine how weak our front row would be if Peacock got a long term injury...

It would be just as weak as any other team who lost their best prop

Saints - Graham
Wigan - Coley
Wire - Morley

etc

I think the key for Leeds is that both Burrows and McGuire need to take the line on far more. Both are incredibly dangerous when they do so and if they do not at least try, opposing teams just drift sideways to cover latetral plays. Leeds are guilty of playing in front of the defensive line far too much.

as Soon as DB is 80% fit get him back in!

Yeah great idea TOOL...

That is at least partly true. McGuire can be guilty of getting a bit too lateral sometimes. primarily I think he does it in search of a gap, which he can be through in a heartbeat when he's on form, but if the gap doesn't materialise he sometimes looks short of a Plan B.

That is being hyper-critical, of course, but even players as good as him have things to improve.

If they have no runners though it would be suicide.

Watch Burrow. Many times he received the ball and not a Leeds player within 20 yards looks keen to take the ball so he takes on the line himself out of lack of options rather than anything else.

If Burrow and McGuire were running directly with options galore then they would be very difficult to stop.

That's another issue with the coaching though...........

Most ridiculous suggestion of the season

G1 is bang on regarding diskin, he'll do a fine job in the run in, just like the last 5 years

who knows, he may add another Harry Sunderland trophy ....

Not doubting Diskins ability but an 80% fit DB is better than a 100% Disco

Not only will the guy be missed on the field but off it too!

It's also partly a criticism of their organisation skills. They should know what they're going to do when the receive the ball and this should have been communicated to the runners.

Sinfield is much better at this but then he is probably not as good at breaking the line himself.

Absolute B0llocks...

For about 5 minutes.

Then you're left with a 0% fit Danny Buderus.

If he's fully fit before the play offs great. If he's partially fit its not worth the risk - remember the selection of Keith Senior in the CC Final in 2005.

The problem is under Smith Burrow and McGuire were the runners it is no surprise now we don't have any runners as they are now the providers.

You have to let this obsession go ... its just not healthy.

Smith hasn't been coach since October 2007 ... nearly 2 years now ... nothing is actually his fault anymore ... the "new" guy has had plenty of time to change anything and everything he wanted.

So who were the providers under Smith?

Criticism of Leeds "greatest ever coach" is not tolerated by David.

Any negatives in the current side will be blamed squarely upon his previous nemesis.

If you ask any forward. The last thing they want is Burrow and McGuire running at them but as G1 said it is a coaching issue. Diskin will not let Leeds down. He never has but he is not suited to coming off the bench part way through games. Not sure when fit that Buderus even needs a reserve hooker. Likewise Diskin can play the full 80.

Gareth this is simply not the case - in the thread on the discussion on the game I critisised McClennan's decision to replace Buderus and his decision not to play Worrall

From somebody who finds it very easy to overlook any of Smith's failings it is pretty rich to critisise me for my continued support of McClennan.

An example: you felt McClennan was wrong not to play Worrall - me also -but when challenged on Smith selecting Senior for the CC final - not a response - blinded would an apt term for your view on Smith.

It hurts you that McClennan might actually eclipse your "Greatest ever Coach"

What I am saying is this McGuire was a great support player and his try scoring record shows that - now he is playing a more creative role we don't have the support - look at the first try against Wigan - if Burrow & McGuire had not been supporting Burderus would have nobody to pass to we is what happens to Burrow and McGuire when they make a break.

In Smith's day Sinfield played a more creative role - the game has moved on and Sinfield is no longer quick enough to play that role - he bombed two definite chances on Friday through his indecision

I must have overlooked that David. I'd have said that Smith's decision to play Senior was in no way comparable to playing with a man short.

I am sure he listened to the medical advice and the player himself.

It was a decision, a bold one, that didn't pay off. On Friday Mclennan didn't have the bottle to make a decision.

I desperatley do hope that Mclennan eclipses Smith. Unlike you I care more about the club as a whole than any individuals within it.

As I said completely blinded - as a lawyer you are obviously used to defending the indefensible. Bold - stupid would be a more apt description of the decision - Leeds played the biggest game of the year with 16 men which ultimately cost them the opportunity of winning a trophy.

McClennan made a decision with regards Worrall - he decided it was appropriate in his view to not play him - wrongly in my view.

The difference is the team has a chance to recover and still win the GF - against Hull the decision left the team with no where to go - end of.

We must agree to differ on your retoric regarding McClennan and his achievements.

I'd have said he did make a decision. His decision was to go with what was out there rather than put Worral on.

On the earlier subject of 'runners' though, have I missed the point? I'd assumed you were referring to dummy runners or forwards taking a drive and couldn't work out why David was seeing McGuire & Burrow in that role.

I don't see creator and supporter as mutually exclusive either.

But you cannot do both at the same time - if McGuire is now spending more time creating he has less time to support.