It's all about the season as a whole, and winning trophies - who will care about those games if we win on Saturday?

And as for making it harder to get to the Grand Final - the team are still very much in the race for second. There's no difference between finishing first or second in this play-off system. Except the 'hubcap', and possible ClubCall, which ends up being more of a hindrance to the teams that have it, rather than a help.

Plenty on here still run McDermott down even with the trophies he's coached the team to - that won't change even if we do the double. It will still be 'the players did it despite him' line from certain posters.

top post!

i never said there was a difference between first or second all i said was he has made it harder to get to the Grand Final as he has we now will have to win the last 3 games instead of 2 out of 3 otherwise an away tie at Wigan or Warrington in all probability instead of a home tie to get to old trafford . I also said he would be judged on trophies won at the end of the day

There are some big assumption being made by many posters. One of these assumptions is that it will be easier with home advantage. For this to be true you have to also assume that we hit better form than the opposition on the day. A home tie is obviously better for the supporters but also increases the pressure on the players to meet the expectations.

I do not subscribe to the view that all is lost if we don't make the top two. This year there are several teams who can win it some of those will be outside the top four. Once the playoffs start it is knock out rugby and the winners will be those teams that get it right on the day no matter which ground it is on. This requires performance and mental toughness.

We have a very strong record over many years in knock out rugby and I believe this can overcome a loss of home ground advantage. Sadly the playoff games are played to smaller crowds so some of this so called home advantage is dissipated. We usually take a vocal and passionate set of travelling fans who could make an away game almost as good as a home game. In fact often the players say this support gives them the lift they need when playing away from Headingley.

That is not to say we shouldn't now go all out to win our last games as I am sure we will.

What else can you do but accept the results? Gain vengeance by throwing bricks through McDermott's house windows? Slash all the players tyres?

And when I say "accept" that doesn't actually mean I'm happy or content we lost those two games but I'm also one of those who manages to realise that getting my knickers into a twist and foaming at the mouth about them losses doesn't actually make those who do "realists". Those games are gone and we can't change them, we can review them and try to learn from them but constant looking back in anger won't alter the result. If I get as angry and vexed as some others will that make me a realist? I'd rather remain calm thanks.

Already I get the feeling that if we do fail in the playoffs some on here will be looking back saying "that's because we didn't beat Bradford and London"......no, if we lose in the playoffs it because we weren't better than whichever team knocked us out. Some will say home advantage is crucial, it could be, but I've seen home teams lose plenty in the playoffs over the last few years

The last 3 LLS winners haven't even reached the GF let alone win so whilst "easier" on paper, reality is any finishing spot could make us or break us, it's about how the 17 play on that particular playoff day....not how the 17 vs London blew that match.

I think you can take the "how dare you expect Leeds to win every game you arrogant w*******r!" a little too far. I don't think it's arrogant to expect a pretty strong Leeds team (with a 22 point lead and 30 minutes to go) sitting 2nd in the table to finish off a mob who haven't posted a "W" in 23 league games.

Seriously, are you happy with that? Anyone in the top 6 can be competitive come playoff time and home advantage could be crucial. After dropping league points to Wakefield (a really awful performance) and Bradford we are now staring at 6th place if you factor in a post Wembley hangover (win or lose). The coach wasn't happy, I suspect he sees it pretty much the same way.

I sometimes wonder on here how many posters have gone to games regularly over the years


Only wondering by the way , not saying you should not post

When you say 'he' you mean McDermott alone yes? So I take it you are blaming him entirely for the loss yesterday because of his team selection?

You don't lay any of the blame at the feet of the players who had a healthy, and what should have been winning, lead and blew it??

Whether we are at home or away in the play-offs won't matter too much, especially this year with how little there are to choose between all the leading contenders. All I see is the coaching staff managing the squad the best they can to win BOTH trophies.

Really? I see them managing the squad the best they can to win the Challenge Cup.

And home/away *always* matters a lot in Rugby League, where there are huge swings on marginal referees' decisions and referees are influenced by vocal crowds. It matters *even more* if there is "little to choose between the leading contenders".

Yes, right now you do. That's because the final is on Saturday, in case you'd missed it.

And they shouldn't be doing this??