I'm thankful although I'm used to looking a prat!

No worries, consider it payback for your avatars.

I noticed similar [i'more than'[/i expressions of [i'happiness'[/i from Leeds fans at the end of the game last night.

I'm glad you did and thank you for sharing that with us.

My pleasure, as always



It's been great to note all the incidences of [i'more than happy'[/i posts chocka full of bonhomie ever since yesterday's 22-22 draw which no Rhinos fan expected beyond their wildest dreams.

Not beyond my wildest dreams - I have really wild dreams.

But I'm glad you are revelling in the ecstasy of our fans which is very unusual for you. You usually so down on your fellow Leeds fans.

Disappointed at not winning but we shouldn't be downhearted. When a team gets on a roll it's very difficult to stop. Quick play the balls, forward runs down the middle, everyone gets sucked in and that left us short on the flanks. But how many times have we done that.... hell of a lot especially when we were champions, remember the same situation 6-7 years ago when we losing 22 nil was it, at home to Saints with 15 minutes to go having been totally outplayed all the match. We got on a roll and became unstoppable in those final 15 minutes, we finally won the match in the last minute.
Back to last night there are a couple of points not yet mentioned. The first, having gone 22-4 in front in our next attack we worked the ball to the left and tried to squeeze Ryan Hall in at the corner. We were in a good attacking position to keep in the middle and land a drop goal, that would have meant Wigan scoring 4 times which would have been unlikely. It was poor decision making. The second point is Silverwood could possibly have done us a favour with the Wigan penalty at the end. The way Wigan were attacking there's a good chance they would have got another try and a defeat would have hurt after such a dominating performance for most of the match. The important thing now is we must continue playing with the same intensity in future matches starting at KR. Attitude and approach often let us down.

Thought Leeds played very well and proved to any doubters that we're not finished and will be a massive force in the latter stages of the season when we've got close to our best line up. Initial reaction in the ground I was devastated but looking back now I think it was a very good nights work. A lot of Wigan fans are saying they didn't play well but I think what they fail to grasp is that they were totally dominated and not allowed to play well

The Wigan players also are showing that creeping arrogance towards the official's decisions (something we've seen plenty of from Leeds players in recent seasons.) Not understanding what constitutes dangerous play and standing their ground instead of retreating back the required ten on penalty kicks at goal. Or perhaps that was just Silverwood in awe of the Champions.



If it hasn't been mentioned on this particular thread it's certainly been mentioned on other threads and rightly so. Without Buderus conceding that final penalty there would in all probability have been a winner and a loser. That said Leeds could have been penalised on the next (and last) play of the game also and they could still have finished all square.

I still thought as Sam Tomkins (Wigan's equivalent to Danny McGuire having a shot at goal) was lining up the angled penalty that the game was still in the bag for Leeds. Fantastic pressure kick from the wrong side for a 4th choice right pegger (who'd missed one from bang in front last season at Old Trafford) not that I'd expect that to be appreciated on here anymore than St Helens fans appreciated Kevin Sinfield's last minute effort at Huddersfield in 2003.

My thoughts exactly. My exact words after they got the penalty were "he's a rubbish kicker". I didn't think he'd knock it over, even more so when I saw his almost blasé run up. Fair play to him though, great kick.

I had hoped that one or two of those whose ashes are scattered on the hallowed turf might have just got together and tripped the meerkat when he was about to kick - but alas they werent there !!

Nothing mentioned on this thread about Burrow kicking into touch on 40 minutes when a kick and chase was the best option.

I didnt think McShane was offside, and he could have had a quick look to check before making a tackle or at least get onside and then make a tackle. There was also another long run that went untackled. Watkins should not, however good it was, be admiring long passes to the winger he should be marking either!

Quote ="Chorley Rhino"Nothing mentioned on this thread about Burrow kicking into touch on 40 minutes when a kick and chase was the best option.'" This wasn't the original thread discussing Friday's game but in addition, on the Burrow point specifically, it has it's own thread here: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=488882

Quote ="Chorley Rhino"Nothing mentioned on this thread about Burrow kicking into touch on 40 minutes when a kick and chase was the best option.'" This wasn't the original thread discussing Friday's game but in addition, on the Burrow point specifically, it has it's own thread here: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=488882

Having watched again I stick with Buderus for MOM with Sinfield a close 2nd. Big games from JJB and Ablett. Kirke appeared to have made some tackles but poor go forward again. Kylie, Cross and Clarkson not on the field enough and Hauraki dissappointing. Were any of these injured?

Cross drove the ball into contact with much more momentum than Kirke or Bailey ever do and is starting to look like a the sort of prop we need.

Lack of passing skills by Webb and Senior proved costly as did Senior's woeful defence and lack of speed in those final 10 minutes.

But overall more positives than negatives.

Opta stats would suggest otherwise unless you believe thta others were equally poor re "go forward". Didn't have you down as a G1 apologist or disciple.

The stats which you usually refer to don't back your argument up re: TMFMISL.

Over to you.......

If Juan's opinion differs to yours why does he have to be an "apologist/disciple"?

FWIW, you're on the wrong track as I have praised Kirke this week (and have done so after other games this season) so Juan and I are in disagreement.

Just shows how people miss the reality of what is posted. Perhaps when I critique Kirke, Buderus or any other player people should respond to the text I write rather than a perceived agenda those unable to properly refute my opinions claim that I have.

Where have I stated my opinion?
I know you praised Kirke this week, where do I say you didn't?

Gotta look out for my apologists/disciples.

Exactly, they could turn on you at any time if you fail to deliver.

Certainly not the latter!

I think our priops all were assisted in their total metres by the easy yards return kick sort of run which bumps up the total metres a la Graham and Peacock. I prefer to see the metres per carry providing the players makes sufficent carries that is but even these are distorted by kick returns.

In this game Kirke was 6.17m per carry which is not good!

As has already been stated some easy metres were gained by return of kicks a la Graham & Peacock which can boost the metres dramatically.

The point I was making was that Cross was taking the ball into contact at full speed (like Kylie usually/used to do) whereas Mr B and Mr K do not get any speed up. To Baileys credit he struggles in the tackle and tries to get up quickly, something the other forwards should also be doing.

So as you would say BB - Sats don't show everything

Without seeing the stats I'd guess that is pretty much his season average.

2011 - Kirke's average metre/carry 7.05 (2010 - 6.09)

Game by game:
4.50
7.75
8.25
7.50
8.00
5.67
Ill
6.17

Cross at full speed? Or Cross at his full speed?

Either way I think you are a little out with this one.

The stats don't show the whole story, by far, it's just you seem to cling to them in most arguments.

Yes the stats don't show the whole story that was my point about Cross. If you look again at some of his drives he was taking the ball into collision at full speed without hesitation.

Overall our forwards stood up to be counted. I don't understand the lack of game time for Clarkson or Leuluai (Cross went off injured) unless they were injured and this may have contributed to others being tired at the end of the game. Also we had a day less to rest/prepare for the game.

In the end you could argue it was our backs passing & defensive errors that really cost us the game.