I never thought it possible, but i really beleive i'll win the 50£ now.

Great point, it is fascinating that so little comment is made about McClennan; let alone criticism.

I wouldn't just compare the position to Smith's tenure either. I can think back over several previous coaches and the outcry that accompanied losing 3 from 4.

He seems to be having a longer honeymoon period than most. Could it be many fans set their stall out too early with over the top praise and are now unwilling to backtrack slightly?

I hope not

As G1 says, I'm not knee-jerking, but there has been a nagging doubt in my mind all season that we put too much into the first half of the season and might suffer for it later. That could show a bit of inexperience of this level on McClennan's part maybe? Last season we did it the other way round and the team were roundly criticised for most of the year.

Just a thought though and I remain reasonably confident given the comeback in the 2nd half last night.

But the team said earlier in the season that they weren't peaking too soon yadda yadda.

I was thinking mainly to the vitriolic criticism Smith received last year around the period of the home defeats to Hull and Wakefield and the "blip" they suffered that was not a million miles away from this one.

Maverick and GCM make very valid points.

BTW, I am not having a go at Bluey. I like the guy and have enjoyed most of the rugby his team has played.

The purpose of this thread is to highlight the hypocritical nature of we Rhinos fans.

Can anyone out there genuinely tell me that if the cool, distant, unliked genius Smith were in charge of this season he would not be getting several negative threads a day?

Said the same on the way home last night Matt.

We started that season not knowing how to lose, and ended it not knowing how to win.

Have we peaked too soon?? At the minute it's looking that way.

I'm not too conerned about the ghost of 2005 and here's why...

It was suggested by just a few posters at the beginning of the season that the early dominance was partly due to Leeds being several weeks ahead of the rest of Superleague as they'd sought to be playing at a high intensity from the off due to the desire to win the WCC. It was also suggested that that level of performance couldn't be maintained from February through to October. No athletes can mentally and physically peak for the full 8 months. Some sought to dismiss that as the same objectivity could be applied to the WCC victory itself as Melbourne were even further behind in their preparation, but I digress...

Its like a 1 mile running race. If one runner sets off at a sprint then after 1/4 mile or even 1/2 a mile he'll have a huge lead and look pretty much unassailable but he'll be tiring and by the last 200 yds others will have caught him and have enough energy to pull away with a kick to the line. That was 2005.

So, how about this for a theorydid [/iin 2004 and 5). Ultimately Leeds couldn't hang on and came away with nothing bar the WCC.

But I think the club will have learned from 2005. They've clearly stated that a big aim for the year is the Challenge Cup. It might be a genuine desire to hold that trophy, or be because they felt keeping up the intensity until the end of August would be achieveable, and that would give a decent stab at the CC and maybe the League Leaders too,but accepted the GF might not be realistic.

I think there may be more to it than that though.

In 2005 Leeds used (I think) fewer players than this year yet didn't start to show a drop in performance until early June or a consistent change in results until the end of August. Thats a number of weeks later than this year despite using the squad more in 2008. I think that was largely burnout but this lull seems too premature for that to be the case.

I wonder if there has been a recognition that simply 'hanging on' wont work and that the staff have decided to start fast, bringing home the WCC in the process, but then by the end of May dropping the training and mental intensity a bit. That carries the risk of a drop in form and resultant defeats but maybe allows the intensity to be raised again later in the season as the players will have had a mental and physical 'breather' before trying to peak again. Obviously not aiming to lose any games but not risking a fatal burn out for the season by pushing 100% all the time.

Are they aiming to peak twice and the current lull is a necessary risk in targetting this? I'm optimistic.

As one of Smith's stearnest critics and as Gareth has already raised this point to me before I suppose a response is in order.

Smith started to get some stick following the CC final of 2005 - he let his own personal issues with certain players get in the way of the collective. He had deprived a senior player of a once in a lifetime opportunity simply because he had the balls to stand up to him over the coach's treatment of the players in Perpignan. He was prepared to destroy any chance the team had of winning to show who was boss? such a big man!!

The team then went into a tailspin of form for two years - 2006 was dire and the team's form only picked up when it was announced Smith was on his way - read into that what you will.

So Smith duly got the stick he deserved IMO.

As for McClennan - unlike Smith - he is on a massive learning curve - this is the first time he has coached full time. He has inherited a squad that doesn't suit the way he wants to play and as such is making the best fist of the resources available. We are struggling down our right hand - McClennan has his three right centres all out injured.

Whilst on the injuries Smith never encountered anything like the number of injuries McClennan has suffered this season. Last night we had Toopi, Ablett, Gibson, Tansey, Kirke, Watkins and Scruton - four of which played in the GF - unavailable for selection next week you will be able to add Sinfield too - this has been the norm almost every week.

Final Gareth I know you hold Smith in very high regard - however one memory for you - this tells you much about Smith - his motivational approach and why he got the stick - I remember going to Odsal for a semi final against Huddersfield in 2006 - never have I seen a more abject performance in a game the really mattered - the play off game in the same season against Warrington ran it close.

I doubt you will ever see a team of McClennans put in performance lacking so much desire. Yes maybe under Smith Leeds might have won the game last night - but one is for sure they would never have won the game the previous week - why because Smith would not have had the balls to play the game - and for that alone McClennan get my continued support.

That's a great post.

But how do explain saints situation?

They pretty much maintained it all through 2006, then again in 2007. They were outplayed on the day in the grand final, but they still maintained. Finishing top (again) and winning the cc (again), then beating us in the playoffs.

Then....again this season. a shaky start, but they have overahuled a 6 point deficit and look unstoppable.

will they finish top (again), win the cc (again) and win back the title?

If they can maintain this type of form and consistency over such a length of time other teams hsould be able to.

Old Bluey's previous record in club coaching is not that impressive. Maybe we should start calling him Yellow or Green. Is this the start of the rot? Even more significance is hinging on the CC semi now. If that game is lost I can see a dissapointing end to the season for Leeds.

I was thinking about this last night and I'd agree with Rob's post. We seem to be deliberately holding back, keeping some gas in the tank if you will, with one eye on the latter part of the season.

If you look at the last three defeats, we very nearly pinched it at Quins, we very nearly pinched it last night, and we got beat fair and square by Saints in a tough game. Add in that we were getting done by Hull until we pulled our socks up and a picture is starting to crystallise.

If they are applying the brakes now to save energy, without doubt it's a risky strategy, but one I think this bunch of players is capable of pulling off.

Some will see this as believist, but I'd prefer to be "happy with a glass half full than miserable with a glass half empty".

I'd rather be miserable with a glass smashed on floor and wrists slit with broken glass.

Why are you so negative? It must be very depressing looking at life through your eyes.

A successful international coach, appointed to one of the biggest club jobs in the game is learning his trade? Has GH screwed up?



The multi talented, international laden Super League and World Champion squad doesn't suit the coach. Are you serious?



Yep.



Apart from Toopi, which of those would have played last night?



That's all conjecture isn't it?

You note I'm not slating the coach at all. Do you think he's contributed to the mini slump in any way?

Aladdin Sane puts a pretty strong case for it being by design?