At least our new boss seems to be SAYING the right things... www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/l ... 6624085.jp Let's just hope we're doing them too!

At least our new boss seems to be SAYING the right things... www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/l ... 6624085.jp Let's just hope we're doing them too!

The guy is talking the talk but will he be able to walk the walk? Harrison had every dumb fooker in this country believing he would mount a serious challenge to Haye. Pfffft

Hit the nail on the head there mate.

Yes I can't quite believe that anyone thought Harrison would win and to be honest it was probably one of the worst boxing performances I had seen

Steve McNamara did a good job of convincing the core support at Bradford that he was up to the job, even after several years of diminished form and dwindling crowds. Similarly, Paul Cullen and Shaun McRae talk a good game on Sky... McDermott is making the right noises for sure but these have been calculated for public consumption. I don't think it will give us any indication of how well Leeds will perform.

It will, however, be interesting if Leeds go back to playing a more entertaining 'Tony Smith' brand of RL. Our attack certainly faltered last season, but the defence also needs a lot of work. IMO during last season far too much onus was placed on the team being able to perform at the business end of the year - the successful philosophy was just pushed too far. I'd definitely welcome Leeds being more expansive but I'm not sure the team has the pace anymore to play like it did in the Smith era. Hopefully the likes of Watkins and Jones-Bishop will be part of this plan - a good sign that both were mentioned by McDermott in his interview.

"I don't believe in certain things I used to believe in – and I do believe in certain things I didn't believe in. Some of the things I believed in, I believe in even more."

I wouldn't have believed anyone could use the word believe so many times in so few words. Unbelievable.

Someone should tell him he's got the wrong season wasn't 'I believe' last season's slogan............or was it the season before? Gosh my memory getting old's cr4p!!!

I bought it on box office. But I knew what I was buying. But after reading the papers this morning it seems like a lot of people didn't and suddenly thought Audley would turn into this super star boxer. The fact that just a few months ago Audley was in prize fighter sums the whole fight up.

Back on topic, Brian Mac certainly has the tools for the flair and glamour rugby that everyone wants to see. Bluey seemed to take a lot of that out of Leeds' play. It was so one dimensional left to right with no dummy runners rugby. Hopefully Brian Mac will install a lot of off the ball work from the back rowers, thats what will confuse the defence and give McGuire, Webb and Burrow the extra step space to rip it up.

Despite what some posters have said about Quins under McDermott. When they did have a decent side out they played some really good football. On the other hand his half time team talks did seem to lead to large scale capitulations on a frequent basis!!

When McNamara took over at the Bulls he made a similar statement. By the time he left we couldn't even play boring RL let alone the champagne stuff.

The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

the thing is we actually have the players to play breath taking rugby the bulls simple didnt/still dont

What is this opinion based on? Presumably not his coaching career to date?

When McNamara took over we had Hape, Vainikolo, Fielden, Bai, Harris, Vagana, Meyers, McKenna and Deacon

Plenty of useful tools.

In 2007 (his first full year) we still had, Vainikolo, Hape, Harris, Vagana, Newton, Lynch, Solomona, McKenna, Deacon, Burgess & Morrison.

And we finished lower down the table.

Apart from Burgess and Lynch the rest were either "past it" or injured every other week.
Of course like some have already posted the proof will out eventually.

Some may have been past their best, but they were still top players in SL.

Quite a few Leeds players are in that bracket and approaching the top of the hill.

As much as i don't rate Mcbanana IF they were still top players in SL surely they'd of finished better than they did irrespective of a gash coach.
We do have players approaching the "curtain call" of their careers i agree completely and i actually thought a couple at least that are still here would of gone by now but i think the depth of squad and players still with plenty of quality out-weighs the Bradford situation comfortably.

The main point is we don't have mc bannana as coach. Hence all comparisons completely irrelivant!

well you could look at it like this. that with nothing like the strength in depth or the calliber of squad as pretty much all the sl times quins for periods under brain mac were taking big scalps week in week out and at times were a real force and for long periods of a few seasons looked like real play off contenders. i conceed that come season end with players missing or knackered with a smaller weaker squad than most quins fell away and went out with a wimper. i think brain mac is a good coach. im looking forward to him coaching leeds and have faith in him. it seems the players do too.

Agree with this but as stated previous only time will tell

to be honest mate i was thinking about 08, 09. leeds have danny maggs, burrow, lee smith, brent webb, ryan hall, bjb, sinfield, buderus, ablett, ali, jjb, watkins, hardaker. this says more about sl but senior is still in the top 3 centres in sl. he had no problem out sprinting matt king and others at wire in 2010.

leeds have plenty of quality and its still in its prime. a few senior heads too but the bulk of them are quick strong and very skillful but young.

Leeds have a strong side at the moment. How long is McDermott's contract? If it's 3 years he'll have to manage the transition which will be a big challenge. Next season will be interesting as Leeds are without Peacock and McGuire early on. Those two were arguably your two most influential players in 2010. Might be a sign of how he'll cope in future years as top players gradually leave.

Certainly going to be a challenging start for him without two quality players avalable to him. But also he has had a better pre season with more ayers than we usually get starting together!

Completely agree mate ,he will be around for the biggest transition in terms of player turn-over for the last 10 yrs and will certainly test his coaching credentials.
I also think it's gonna be crucial who he brings in as his assistants and u20's coach.

In fairness Bai and McKenna were too old even for us.