Leeds have been the best side for the last 3 years end of.

Leeds have been the most consistent side in 2009, whilst Saints were that in 2007 & 8.

The best side in the competition is the one who wins the Grand final, no ifs or buts.

That's what I said so not sure the point of quoting me in your response?

Leeds have been the best team for the last 3 years irrespective of league positions. The GF winner is always the best team because that's what everyone targets at the start of the season (bar Wigan - they just want to get to semi-finals)

I think we are a little more equal. 2007+08 we were only 1 point behind the Saints and four ahead this year. If you look at how the teams played, I don't think you can seperate them, although the pendulum has swung towards us this year.

Saints have won the leaders shield twice and the challenge cup twice, we have been champions three times, won the shield once and the WCC once in the same period.

In a funny kind of way it's like England winning the ashes, if you look at the stats, Australia more than matched England. However England won the Ashes because the right calls were made at the right times. We have done something similair as we have played the big moments and won the prizes. Champions are made because the big plays were made at the right times; look at our kicking game-it seems to improve beyond recognition when we play in the GF.

Well, for once, what he said!

The reaction to the Withers 'knock on' and the Joynt voluntary tackle (1999 and 2002 was it?) might suggest otherwise but it's hard to disagree.

Now the bitterness of defeat we contributed massively to has subsided I have no problems with Leeds being No.1 at the moment.

LTID..Bollox

The team that finishes top of the league over the regular season rounds is the best team of the (regular) season . Therefore they are champions .You can't argue with that.. It is a fact .
You really think that a team that is in reach of the title is going to rest players for the play offs and risk not finishing top ? Deluded .
Saints have been the champions for the past few years.. It's out turn now .

He's right. Although logically you would say the best team finsihes top there are other factors that you dont seem to have the thought capacity to consider.

He never said teams rest players for the playoffs so wind your neck in on that one, he said tactically throughout the year, rest players throughout the year.

FWIW I think the best team IS the one who finishes top but I'm also aopen minded enough to consider other factors.

BTW, why do you say Saints were the best the last few years?

How about resting players for the Cas game in 2008 after winning the WCC and finishing 1 point behind Saints? would we of done that?

Then how come in 2007 and 2008 there was a little sign in front of the Leeds team at the end of each Grand Final that said "Champions"
So what you just wrote isnt a fact, is it?

Total rubbish. In 2008, why did Leeds play kids v Cas after the England game? So that their stars would not be battered by playing 2 games in a week? If it was first past the post, the descision would have been different, but given a top 2 finish was on the cards, then it would have been stupid to risk the long term health of players.

There was an interesting article in the program on saturday which compared for for teams over the grand final ear.

It had Leeds as the league leader since the GF was introduced in 1998. Not believing that I went and found my own statsTeam Played Points For Against Diff
Leeds 330 478 10125 6373 3752
Saints 330 452 10635 6410 4225
Bradford 330 384 10201 6495 3706
Wigan 330 383 9187 6265 2922
Hull Sharks/FC 330 304 7620 7658 -38
Warrington 330 300 7990 8828 -838
Quins/Broncos 330 277 7035 8487 -1452
Cas 248 218 5355 6330 -975
Huddersfield 274 204 5827 7418 -1591
London 221 187 4824 5574 -750
Wakefield 251 165 5422 7079 -1657
Halifax 137 115 3083 3560 -477
Quins 109 90 2211 2913 -702
Hull KR 81 78 1705 1952 -247
Widnes 84 68 1696 2293 -597
Gateshead 30 39 775 576 199
Hull 53 26 843 1495 -652
Sheffield 23 18 495 541 -46
Catalans 28 16 601 894 -293
Salford 23 13 319 575 -256
Celtic 27 6 357 874 -517
Leigh 28 5 445 1210 -765[/code




SL Era
--------

[code
Team Played Points For Against Diff
Saints 374 521 12177 7371 4806
Leeds 374 517 11224 7581 3643
Bradford 374 458 11737 7301 4436
Wigan 374 450 10772 6989 3783
Warrington 374 340 8996 10040 -1044
Quins/Broncos 374 335 8262 9367 -1105
Hull Sharks/FC 330 304 7620 7658 -38
Cas 292 248 6237 7444 -1207
Huddersfield 274 204 5827 7418 -1591
Wakefield 251 165 5422 7079 -1657
Halifax 181 154 4274 4685 -411
Quins 109 90 2211 2913 -702
Hull KR 81 78 1705 1952 -247
Widnes 84 68 1696 2293 -597
Gateshead 30 39 775 576 199
Oldham 22 19 473 681 -208
Paris 44 19 760 1367 -607
Sheffield 23 18 495 541 -46
Catalans 28 16 601 894 -293
Salford 23 13 319 575 -256
Celtic 27 6 357 874 -517
Leigh 28 5 445 1210 -765
Workington 22 5 325 1021 -696
[/code

Pete smith of the YEP gives his insight... www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/r ... 5735375.jp

Pete smith of the YEP gives his insight... www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/r ... 5735375.jp