Lilley and Ablett have failed fitness tests and will not be playing tomorrow with another U19s player getting called up according to McDermott's interview.

The comment about going in the away end at Saints, it was me that spoke to Brian. We'd lost with a shower of 3 performance, and I asked him what had gone wrong. He couldn't answer my questions but at least was honest enough to tell me so. That's one of the reasons why I respect him, but don't think he's the right coach for us.

Something that should have happened against Batley, instead of having it forced on us through injuries incurred by flogged players. He doesn't develop youngsters, he uses players and nothing more.

We will only be as good as our signings, as are any Club I suppose.

To that end we have approx 5 departing for Toronto, 1 to Widnes & Fui is allegedly undecided & may go to France (speculation).

Noises coming from Leigh are that we have at least 4 signed & a few more were ready to sign dependant on a Super League place, rumour of at least 1 current NRL player + Ryan Atkins, *hope the one about Kevin Penny is nonsense*.

I believe we have the nucleus of a good SL squad, some quality to add obviously & if we are lucky on the injury front then could possibly cement our place for a few years.

FWIW I think Leeds will bounce back next season & finish top 6/7.

Not sure if this is a tongue in cheek comment but if you are being serious there is no way Leeds fans or surely GH would accept this as bouncing back. We ended up 9th in what was a near all time abysmal showing this year. Top 4 as a bare minimum next season or heads should roll.

Just to add, i think Leigh will do well next season and wouldn't rule out avoiding the middle 8's.

I know that you haven't adequately replaced Sinfield and Peacock, and others are getting old together. Nevertheless, you have had a pretty spectacular injury list, that doesn't seem to have abated much - apart from late in the regular season, and has now re-emerged. Like with any club, having fewer injuries will help towards a much better season - that, plus some judicious signings!

In all honesty, it's impossible to replace players like Sinfield and Peacock who were the cornerstone of the success we had for over a decade. Yes, the injuries haven't helped but some of the displays throughout the year were still abysmal and spineless at times and McDermott does seem devoid of ideas to change things when they aren't going our way. He has been head coach now for half a decade and has run his course with this set of players imo.Of course he will get another shot next year because he has had the success he has, but another year with indications of being anything like this one and the trigger needs to be pulled asap.

I think he was the perfect coach for us when he came in. He breathed new life into an ageing squad and introduced some talented youngsters into it. Right now though we need someone who can introduce a bit of organisation and direction into a young team and make the hard choices, something I don't think McDermott can do.




It should have happened during the regular season instead of playing half fit players and those seriously out of form. I'm not sure you can say he doesn't develop youngsters as we have seen a few quality players make their debut under him and he showed a lot of faith in Watkins and BJB when he started. However he does seem reluctant to play young forwards and a bizarre tendency to leave players on the bench when it is a close game.

No he hasn't at all. He has thrown people in when he has to, he hasn't developed them at all, he doesn't even speak with the academy lads. Watkins was a regular before he even came here. BJB was playing regularly on loan before he became regular here, and that was down to injuries to others. Wardy is the player he introduced and worked with, and couldn't even get that right, yet at any other club Wardy would have been a regular as he was a star talent. Sutcliffe was pushed on him because he had to do something, and the fact he can't coach creativity has shown Sutcliffe up for the standard of player he is. Handley was the only option after again injuries took hold and he was forced to play him, before that putting a centre come secondrower in that role until he was caught out.

There is a dvifference between developing players for long term future and just playing someone, when you have no options, or in his case no idea. Wane for all his faults, and there is many, develops youngsters, a big difference.

Watkins wasn't a regular at all. 21 league games in the previous three years and half of those were from the bench or wing and was behind Senior, Smith and Delaney in the centres.

BJB was playing regularly on loan, at Quins under McDermott of all people and he picked him ahead of the most experienced Smith.

Ward was on the brink of an England call up last year, so hardly done bad with him.

Sutcliffe is a work in progress, has had a serious injury and is now switching positions because ajar faker couldn't grow up.

Add Singleton into the mix as well who people complained McDermott wouldn't pick, now has reached 100 games vs Leeds.

I reckon McD has done a decent job bringing through the Kids in all fairness. Also, who has left us and gone on to better things or make the grade elsewhere who you would want back?

So it wasn't McDermott that brought him through. Exactly as I said then. And you missed his serious injury that ruled him out for a long spell. Three years development before the idiot got with him, then not kicked on since. Always was a great player.




Again, no need to repeat what I already said.




A position he would have been in at any club and any coach. He was destined for that from the start, again as I said.




Sutcliffe has been playing enough games now to justify a postion and his first choice status. He is in because of limited options. Not moved on from his academy days. Again, what I said, no development. Just throwing someone in is not developing them.




Why throw him in the mix, he held him back for no reason, then was forced to go with him. Should hae been earlier, and the lad would be further on in his development.

I know, look at Walters.....

He will always be a leg-end for us though for that one act of putting the ball down last year at the end of the GF, i will always wish him well

To say Watkins hasn't kicked on since 2011 is just crazy. Unfortunately you seem unable to get over your personal dislike of McDermott.