I don't like to single people out but there have been several consistently poor performers this year and I cannot understand why Brian McDermott persists with them week in week out.

First of all Danny McGuire has been poor all year, his main asset was always his support game and he has lost his pace. Seeing Ryan Brierly of Leigh this Friday will be a flashback to a young McGuire, hungry to get on the end of everything. If we didn't have Sutcliffe coming through we could do a lot worse than looking at him as a long term replacement. Its time to give Sutcliffe a run of games in the halves.

Chris Clarkson is not a hooker so I can forgive him that but still he has put in some shocking performances, not for the lack of effort but he's not good enough if you want to be competing for honours.

Ian Kirke's tackle attempts for Warrington's first two tries is enough for him to be dropped alone IMO. Embarassing efforts. For too long he has been carried by the likes of JP and Kylie.

Would these three get a look in at any of our closest rivals St. Helens, Wigan, Warrington... No.

About time McDermott realised some of his players aren't up to it and started to give some youngsters more of a chance.

McGuire's support game hasn't been his main asset for many years now and despite his lack of pace he still has the acceleration and agility to get through the line.
I don't think he's been that poor this year as a whole, though he has been poor in his last 2 games in my opinion.

I also don't think Clarkson has been shocking. For a 4th/5th/6th choice back rower I think he does a decent job.

I'm one who has often defended Kirke against what I feel, at times, has been unwarranted criticism. But I can't defend him any longer. When Peacock & Leuluai aren't playing or aren't having the impact on the pitch that we're used to he needs to at least make an effort to step up, and at the moment he isn't doing that. For me, either he steps up this season or we should get rid. But then I think exactly the same of Bailey.

Only Kirke wouldn't get a look in with those rivals you mentioned. I strongly believe McGuire and Clarkson would, and I certainly don't believe Clarkson has put in a shocking performance this year, even if it hasn't been anything spectacular.

This seems a bit knee jerk to one bad game.

Mags is not what he was, but then 10 years on how many of us are? For me he has been as good as at any point in the last 3 or 4 years. A halfback is reliant on a solid pack and on Friday they were bad. I do though agree that Sutcliffe has a big future so we need to give him more game time in his preferred position. Its time to start phasing Mags out a bit. Though not kick him out.

Clarkson is a squad player. Simple, all clubs have them and need them. He will come in and give you a consistent performance. No he wont be teraing it up or running in a hattrick but he will tackle hard and be available to take the ball. If we can find better and they are prepared to play half an hour every other week then fair enough, but I doubt you will.

As for Kirke. Ask yourself why he is picked so often? He is picked because he is doing what McD is asking. he comes on, runs the ball in for ten mins the peacock comes on feeling moderately refreshed. If you want the best out of Kirke, like most players, you have to play them for 60+ mins a week most weeks. Kirke does his job. If you dont like it, take it up with teh coach, dont blame him.

Pointless thread, echos others.

There's way more dead wood on this forum than the Rhinos squad. Best regular season we've had in years, quarter finals of the cup and a defensive effort that some of us older members could have only ever dreamed of seeing from a Leeds team.