Quote: The Eagle "i never have a problem facing big teams in the CC. we would have to face them at some point. if we win, its one less rival. if we lose it better to do it when there's less at stake, then the players can have rest weeks. '"
This has always been my approach to the vagaries of the Challenge Cup draws - this post should be saved somewhere and reproduced every year.
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Leeds are at home on a ground they have taken on average 75% of the points on offer throughout the SL Era. Even under the current coach Leeds are maintaining that overall average despite the steady decline from Smith (80%) through McClennan (78%) while Murray (84%) retains the best record of all.
V St Helens at Headingley it's much tighter overall (56%) but Leeds in knock-out football (CC and PO) have won in 4 from 5 (80%)
The current coach's three predecessors all ended with 50:50 records V the Saints and considering a comparatively lean time of late (trophy wise) for SL's most successful club, McDermott's 3 from 9 record overall is disappointing but when it crucially matters in knock-out football he's defending a 2 and 0 record.
