Would it not seem a bit weird to you for Gary Hethrington to make a public statement on the coach's team selection policy?

It would to me.

Unfortunatley i do not see it as a coaches selection policy , there seems to be more to it than that

Based on what, exactly?

I don't entirely agree with it, but I can't see much reason to think that the coach is being told what to do with his team. I think in all probability, it's the succession that he has in mind. Nothing more sinister than that.

Statement required! You're damn right statement required! Lets make one on the pitch in the cup and stop moaning as if we actually have anything to moan about.

Christ bet Wakey fans find most of our lot pathetic.

It seems to me that something is/has gone on behind the scenes.

I simply don't buy that sinfield has had a lifelong ambition to play union, and if he did why he is settling for a second tier club that still involves a not insignificant daily commute with a youngish family.

I also don't buy the McD is stubborn and cutting him out cos he's leaving.

Legend though he is his performances have been on a consistent downward spiral. My guess is he was told he would be transitioning out for sutty. He didn't like it and has opted to leave. Thats triggered internal issues which is why he isn't featuring.

Good conspiracy theory huh...

I don't think he's upto it. He's been going downhill for a while and time waits for no man

He has stated in the past that he wouldn't mind trying Union. As for the club and travel. What RU Premiership would take him now as his age for 18 months? And how many of those are closer to Leeds than where he lives? Only Sale I believe.



Doesn't strike me as the type to sulk does Sinfield. After his departure was announced, he was picked to play vs Wakey and Salford (with Sutcliffe on the bench). He started on the bench in the next two but got good minutes vs Saints and in both games took over goal-kicking duties when out there. Even when he didn't get as many minutes vs Wire he was still immediately thrown the kicking tee when we got a try, not something you'd do as a coach if you had some issues with him leaving and was freezing him out.

Ever since the draw was made for the Cup he's barely be involved, think he's basically being wrapped up in cotton wool for that (if their really was anything more to it then why put him in the 19 man sqaud at all?). Don't forget he had hamstring trouble that ruled him out for several weeks and last year too he started to miss some as his body started to struggle. I think there's a good chance (and also why Sinfield decided to leave) is because he might possibly have gotten to the stage where he's struggling to play week upon week phyiscally.

GH's general attitude about fans concerns and LR's accountability to them on anything is summarised below------

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We don't half get a raw deal, us Leeds fans. Terrible times.

You don't think that a player who has often spoken of a desire to have a go at Union reached a point last August where he had literally achieved everything he could possibly achieve at Leeds decided it was time to move on? And that having done so he managed to reach a deal with a RU club (a Premiership club was never going to take him) where he probably knows the coaches etc, and certainly knows the way to the stadium and training ground?

I also think we may be jumping the gun by assuming he's finished. He was out injured and Sutcliffe, who is his anointed successor was given a chance and played very well. Leeds have then had a couple of tricky games where things have not gone so well. Sutcliffe has to learn from those too, so to yank him out of the side at the first sign of trouble isn't in the longer term interests of he club. It doesn't mean Sinfield can't have his place back ever.

I think the whole thing is a bit of a non-story.

I would agree with that, there isn't a player in the Leeds squad who McDermott respects more. We have squad that contains a number of ageing players - perhaps the coach has learnt something from last year and is prepared to accept some losses now to improve matters at the back end of the season?