Absolutely spot on analysis. In terms of standard and style of play, league position and number of points conceded it looks like this will be the worst season for 10 years, since the days of Dean Lance. What makes it far worse is that we have far better players (on paper) than we had then. I only hope that Brian McDermott can encourage McLennan to have a game plan, any sort of game plan, but I have doubts.

For me the best team undoubtedly won on the day, Warrington were too strong in the forwards and their kicking game was far superior to ours plus their defense was awesome especially Mathers (I can't really understand why they are binning him off in preference to Hodgson). Three poor decisions really detemined the outcome which were:
1. Bailey should have stepped Mathers in the first 10 minutes instead of tgrying to go through him it definately cost us a good 6 point start
2. The forward pass to Hall at 8-0 down was iffy to say the least and was no worse than another dozen or so which Silverwood let go. The linesman didn't call it as he was running down the line keeping up with play and Silverwood couldn't possibly have been in a position to see it properly as he was beyond the play
3. Atkins second try, Riley was clearly in an offside position as the ball came off Mathers backside when he was competing for the ball which for me was the worst decision of the game. Going in at 8-0 down is a lot easier than three scores down as borne out in our semi final with Saints.

All that said Warrington deserved their win and were competitive across the park, you couldn't really single out any Warrington players who didn't perform on the day whereas there were many within the Leeds ranks

See what I said earlier on this page about Leeds lack of composure/thinking on that play

2008 - Challenge Cup winners
2008 - Hubcap

We've won 5 games out of 9 against the top 3 sides this year. We haven't struggled to compete. We've been inconsistent but we have had more injuries than most and this has made the season very disjointed.

The fact we could have left out Donald, Ali plus Kirke and Burgess had everyone been fit suggests we are very strong still. We may be an aging side but to have a squad where 4 Grand Final winners could be in the stands is still a pretty strong one IMO.

I'm not saying I don't have concerns, but to say this current squad won't be able to compete is a massive over reaction.

I havent read the other posts, but here is my View, we were battered all over the park saturday and out muscled in every single position on the field, there are no excuses no bringing up our back to back to back superleague titles, This was a shambles and so the players should be embarrased,

Well done wire you deserve it!!