It is only a guess but I would suggest we are up to cap and this is largley to do with players on long good contracts, coming towards
the end of their deals and not
looking as good value as when they were signing these deals

Yes I was. Leeds deteriorated gradually throughout Bluey's reign. I cannot think of a single player who improved technically during his reign, and slowly they forgot everything Smith taught them. Incredibly there were plenty on here still lauding Bluey's ability, which was so plainly lacking once his fresh, motivational edge had worn off.

This is proof of the value of a coach. Leeds were crying out for a technically minded and hungry Aussie coach to arrest the slide. McDermott is so far from this it is untrue.



Winning isn't the point, they competed when it mattered. Elimination Semi Final and Challenge Cup finalists. They were competitive. (And petulant, injury probe, want away, cry baby Eastwood as best forward?)

There is enough in this squad to compete, they are not doing under this coach.

Of course we have had injuries, which team hasn't, but the teams picked for the last 2 games have been strong enough that injuries should not be in the equation.

Sunday will be a great test, as Leeds will play without possibly 7 regulars due to the meaningless England nonsense on Friday night. In previous seasons they have overcome the loss of 14 internationals and still won the Super League game, will they do this time? I honestly hope they do, but ...




I'm judging what I see every week, just like everyone else.

I see a bizarre start to the year, throwing the ball about in ludicrous fashion, showing zero respect for possession and building pressure, and coaches comments to back that up that completion rates are "overrated".

Then I see this being reigned in to such an extent that we cannot get out of our own half for 30 minutes (Warrington) or play set after set against Saints of one man drives and a kick, followed by coaches comments that we set out to play like that but actually need to be more expansive.

I see a team that under Smith never took the two as they had a clear strategy and belief that they would score six, and if not they would build pressure and take gas out of the opponents tank. Contrast that with the 3 early penalties at Saints ... kick, run, kick?

I see Burrow contributing to positive plays all season, building form in general through April and May bizarrely dropped to the bench against Warrington, and then looking lost on Friday.

I struggle to understand why a so called disciplinarian coach cannot get Webb to shut his mouth. By the way I don't believe for a second McDermott asked Webb to carry the ball one handed, whereas Tony Smith coached the whole team to use that technique and the offload ability of the team became the best in the league as a result.

I despair that our most consistent player and captain had such a dodgy game on Friday. Do you reckon that is a result of his confused role and trying to carry an attacking "structure" that they don't understand?



Where did I say that? I said the players with the kicking duties have done pretty well in that role for 5 years, and I haven't seen anyone suggesting we bin Sinfield, McGuire and Burrow.



Er, at the games. Here's a clue you may have missed, Keith Senior's interview early in the year where he stated Leeds were trying to forget everything from before and start from scratch.



Again the clues are out there, the clubs turnover is the highest in the league and dwarfs the cap. The accounts are openly available and suggest we use the full allocation. GH's public quotes consistently state we use the full cap. Anyhow, I don't need to prove anything, you made the allegation so I'll ask again

...what are these "financial reasons" you speak of that are affecting recruitment. Its a salary capped sport, and I reckon we are pretty much up to the cap ... do you know different?.



This is where we fall into separate camps. I don't dispute playing personel needs to change, I don't think any Leeds fan would argue with that. Nor do I dispute that the decline set in under McClennan. Nor do I think we should be winning everything.

I too can use the benefit of hindsight regarding decisions to sign players, however there seem to be 2 massive targets on here at the moment, and if I am honest I thought Hauraki was worth a punt as a replacement for Ali when he was signed, and we needed a prop so Cross appeared to fit the bill (he may be another useless Aussie, who knows, how people are judging him when he never plays is anyones guess).

I maintain that there is enough abilty, experience and talent still in this squad for us to be competitive every week, and this coach is blatently unable to harvest that.

There's some truth in this, I think, and also in your point about McClennan's role in the decline of the side. However, I also reckon that a lot of the players are physically and/or mentally shot. Out of the list below, which players do you think are capable of attaining their level of playing ability and fitness they showed in the GF years - regardless of whether McDermott is the coach or not?

Webb
Smith
Senior
Burrow
JJB
Peacock
Ali
Bailey
McGuire
Sinfield

I've deliberately left out youngsters and players who maybe played a less significant role than those above. I'm not saying that my point applies to all; however, out of what was once an extremely impressive group of key players there is a significant number who are now struggling - perhaps not surprisingly, given the efforts they put in to win 4 GFs in 6 years.

Speaking to someone very close to thesenior players last night and the think bm is rubbish and want rid. There is no gameplans and team talks are baffling. As it was put to me " there is no direction or leadership. We have to sort it ourselves"

Graham that is pretty obvious but these are elite players - surely McDermot should not have to teach them a sliding defence, how to tackle, how to pass and catch and kick and how to keep their gob shut.

Yes McDermott is out of his depth but both Hetherington and the players need to take a look in the mirror too and that includes the captain.

I would agree but a strong top class coach would sort all these things

Things would be better but we still would have problems competing with the best sides with the current squad. There is a cultural issue that can only be sorted out by breaking the old guard up - this manifests itself in the appalling discipline on the field.

Again I agree but someone like Murray would stop it. He wouldn't accept it. The worst offender, Webb, I wouldn't pick anyway. Also he will be gone next year

I'm with you mate Murray let players have a voice but that was it he was the no1 end of!
Sal i also think IF the player power problem is as big as speculated then all a new coach would need is GH to step in aswell i.e if they don't like it there's the door the coach is the boss!
For me we definatelty need the clear out because looking at the potential in our U20 's ,18 ,16 and 15's i wouldn't want Brian Mc anywhere near them plus i think it would decrease our chances of retaining some of them were he to stay as the coach.
All our acadamy sides are doing the basics ,show structure with and without the ball ,have great discipline and composure and it's a credit to the Acadamy staff throughout the club.

The academy sides have far better structure than the first team

Of the core selected in your list, I have no drama with:

Smith, Burrow, JJB, Bailey, McGuire, Sinfield - and I think with the exception of position hopping Smith and injured McGuire, their performances this season prove they have plenty left

Webb - has actually shown better form this year than the last 2, but his attitude/arrogance appears out of control

Senior & Peacock - obviously not long term answers at all, who knows if Senior will contribute again and although its early to make conclusions on Peacock the signs are that his role needs to change

Ali - remains a bit part player, like every season due to injuries, and therefore a luxury the squad doesn't need

Now, are any of them capable of replicating 04-09? Who knows, probably not. Should the core of Smith, Burrow, JJB, Bailey, McGuire, Sinfield be the basis of a competitive new side if structured and organised correctly? I think yes, and so must the club as 5 of them are on long term contracts (I think).

Where the club has gone wrong is in the appointment of the wrong man to oversee the building and organising of that side.



Team talks are baffling. I would not be suprised if this was true. Communication is a key skill of any leader, and I watch with disbelief as McDermott rambles and bristles through press conferences. He gives the impression that he intimidates journalists into not asking awkward questions, but when he talks about the game half of what he says makes little or no sense to me based on what I have just watched.

God help us if his team talks follow a similar pattern.

GH is in a difficult position - players are contracted and therefore not easy to get rid off under employment law without big pay offs - something the club cannot afford.