Walters is only there because of our serious injury list to key players. Last week he made 6 tackles and 3 misses. So why do you think he would have plugged a gap? Also IMO our players are mentally knackered and not physically, so a 20 minute rest on the bench will not cure that.

I have no problem with positive criticism but you always blame the coach even when it is the players that make the errors and mistakes. Mac has shown he can motivate and he can make a good game plan and he can get the team to play attractive rugby and he can get the team to play to good defensive patterns. So do you think he prepared them differently in the last 3 weeks? Do you think he told them to take it easy in the middle of the field? did he tell McGuire to lose his cool? or Sinfield to get injured? Of course you don't.

So take into consideration the difficult situation the coach finds himself in when the team and individual form collapses and except that a bit of tinkering with the bench for 20 minutes would not have made any difference as the malaise has spread throughout the side. I do not have the answer (other than hypnosis ) and I guess neither does Mac or indeed anyone on here.

and perhaps if you thought the coach wasn't god like and immune from criticism then I may respect your posts.
are you seriously saying leaving a back rower on the bench unused was a good idea?? incredible

I think this debate about the inclusion of Walters is akin to rearranging the deck-chairs on the Titanic.

The whole team has looked spent for the last two games. Tinkering with player rotations at this stage will have a negligible effect on results. We just have to hope that a bit of a longer break for the next game plus any fresh bodies returning will be enough to turn things around.

No many came out of last night with lots of credibility. But thought Lilley applied himself very well at hooker. His effort was tremendous. He had nothing in the tank come the end of the game. The boy did well.

Leeds' win % is probably in single figures when they have adopted to use 1/2 subs not used over the last few years. Speaks volumes.

Aiton gave us good ball distribution and a massive amount of tackling in the middle of the park. Weve tried to immitate his attacking prowess but forgot his defensive duties. Sinfield or Lilley playing hooker means they defend out wide leaving the remaining forwards to do the extra work plus attack too, its just too much for them, no wonder they all look so tired. Im sure Stevie Ward could get to all the play the balls and distribute and most importantly sure up the middle defence leaving Sinfield/McGuire in the halves. Unfortunately both of these have their best days behind them and it was highlighted by the speed and game play by Luke Gale. If he isnt what we need for the next few years i dont know what is. Sutcliffe/McGuire isnt the answer.

Another one dismissing a Sutcliffe-McGuire combination.

The same combination which played in the wins against Wigan at home, away in Perpignan, away at Castleford and at Langtree Park.

I'd be happy to go with Sutcliffe, still a lot to learn but understandable. I think that's part of the reason we've beefed up the pack.

One thing and it might seem like nothing, but I wouldn't give him the number 13 shirt next year. Doesn't need the added pressure of taking over that particular shirt number. Let Cuthbertson or Ward have it.

But collapsed and went missing when the momentum shifted, or more importantly when Aiton had left the field. And of course you conveniently seem to forget Warrington at home, Huddersfield away, and Widnes Away. Is four out of seven mentioned what you would expect from a top four club?

We need to make sure the rest of the team can take on what they will not give us, by declaring that the partnership.

Four wins from six games against other sides in the top 8? Yeah, I'd take that over the course of the season thanks.

Is your argument in the first sentence seriously that the half backs were less effective when the team was on the back foot? That's pretty much what happens in any game when the team is on the back foot isn't it?

Your passenger Delaney was top tackler with 50

Your knackered and busted Delaney made 50 tackles

That's why he looked knackered Tbh. He's a good player with a lot of heart but that doesn't mean he isn't shot.

You miss the point. The clear inference from certain posters was to question his selection. His top tackle count of 50 answers that emphatically.

He's clear not shot. The reality is that if you make 50 tackles in a game you are going to look worn out. He is being over used and under rested. The bench user on Thursday was woeful, and had a large part to play in us losing the game