GAME ON : Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos - 19:45:00

GENERAL CHAT ABOUT THE GAME, BUILD UP, THE ACTION AS IT HAPPENS AND AFTERMATH BELOW.

Clashs with soccorball expect a small crowd, seriously who plans the fixtures.

You mean the fixtures that were decided last October well before the groups and fixtures for the World Cup were announced??

People moan at Sky changing fixtures so the most inconvenient games (Thursdays) are therefore chosen and set in stone at this point.

I don`t care what BM says... Leeds need the win tonight desperately tonight! Castleford are taking a depleted squad over to Catalan so I can see Catalan turning them over in the south of France and Hudds should beat KR on current form which will leave Leeds in the bottom 4 come the end of this round should they not win tonight with 4 games remaining to the split.

I called it a few month back, I think Leeds will be in the bottom 4 come the split.

It will be interesting to see for one of the traditional RL massive games how many turn up or what the Sky viewing figures are with England on at the same time, something my club suffers being on the doorstep of two mega football clubs, I suspect it won't be great.

Even my sons Rugby club have brought training forward tonight so people can get home to watch England.

The fact England don't have to win might make it less essential viewing maybe.

Never a try from Woods, awful decision.

Whenever it cuts to McDermott's face, stick on Tom Petty's Free Fallin'.

Leeds are "not in a slump" eh Brian, you miserable sod !

If Leeds don’t finish in - at least - the top two of the middle eights the rfl are planning to change the structure.

They were ready to hang trin out to dry with the million pound game but can’t live with Leeds being relegated.

One rule for one and another rule for others

Must you keep posting such bunkham?

leeds are an absolute shambles. No organisation whatsoever

I’ve heard this I’m not making it up.

Everyone was talking about it at the Widnes match.

Whilst I doubt that this is anything other than gossip the loss of Leeds would have a materially negative effect on the value of future TV rights so there would probably have to be some sort of convenient restructure to get them back in.

Got to say even as one of his biggest supporters over the years on the Leeds board after a lot of ridiculous abuse and ungratefulness I think it’s now time for McDermott to move on.

Unlike many I will forever be grateful and recognise his contributions (whereas some do their best to take credit away from him) but every coach has a shelf life and he was the right man for the Golden Generations final years and got that elusive CC and a treble (most on the Leeds board wanted McGuire and Peacock pensioned off or released back in 2011/12) and I think FINALLY he’s reached his at Headingley.

Funny thing is if he stayed I wouldn’t back against him bouncing back in 2019 like he did in 2017 but I think the club/fans need a fresh look. Even though it’d be unlikely, if we won the CC this year it’d probably be met with dismay amongst supporters because it’d save his job which they don’t want which shouldn’t be the response to any potential trophy win (again I admit it’s unlikely before any Saints or Wire fans start)

Like I said I’ve been one of his biggest backers on the Leeds board, it’s a shame too many who wrote him off midway through 2011 (hell even I called for his head around June/July 2011) refused to be mature enough to admit they were wrong over the years to give him credit and tried to downplay his contribution just because they couldn’t admit they were wrong.

10k attendance for one of the big games of the year.

Distinct lack of leadership now taking its toll now, Barry McD always gives applause for effort but at the end of the day whether you lose by 40 or 1 point it’s zero match winning points.
Twice in 3 seasons they look a club in decline and can’t see anything on the horizon to improve a struggling end of an era team.

I agree wholeheartedly that McDermott has never received the credit he's due from some fans for the success under his tenure. 2017 proved he could win the comp without Sinfield and Peacock, who according to some were the ones actually coaching the side. Hopefully he'll be remembered more positively with the benefit of a few years distance from the club.

Where I differ from other fans is that I don't think you can have it both ways - if McDermott deserves credit for all the wins, he is equally responsible for the bad stuff as well. Whilst injuries have caused us problems this year and 2016, they and the other excuses trotted out can't explain week after week of awful performances.

Regardless, I agree McDermott needs to move on before Leeds slide ever more towards mediocrity.

Here we go, let me get this right. Unless Leeds are winning grand finals, lls, and cc finals every year, your calling for his head. [size=150PATHETIC!![/size Get a grip, get a grip I say.

I wonder if Hetherington will suddenly realise the m8s is a bad idea if Leeds end up in them again.

hull kr will beat hudds and cas have been winning for weeks with a depleted squad so wouldn't rule out them taking the 2 points

Everyone at the Catalans game was talking about how Cas deliberately threw the GF so Leeds would keep BM for another season at least.

Yeah, course they were

No they wont, Hudds will beat Hull KR.

Catalan on home soil have a good chance of winning.

Damn, you've found me out. You're too sharp for me.