So, it has been mentioned the defence looked to have improved. I have to say at the match, certainly the defence on our line looked much better. I mentioned this last week when people were complaining, statistically our defence last week was one of best of the year, the missed tackles were lower than we had done. Well this week we were back to plus 30 at 33 missed tackles, which to be frank is very poor.

On the subject of Thompson, I for one was quite glad to give him an opportunity, due to his hard work and efforts. But is that 3 matches now? And in two of them his defence has been woeful. Another 9 missed tackles from him yesterday, and although he put the effort in carrying the ball (and maybe an excuse for missing some from fatigue) he didn’t exactly make high metres per carry. Just to balance up here, I don’t believe in the limited chances Ormobdroyd had, he missed that many tackles, or even close.

On another note, this myth around Keinhorst been a good defender, please stop it. He misses tackles most games, and yet again a game for him with quite a few missed tackles. Look at his stats all season, keeps happening.

Widnes were desperate today and so were we, pretty much the end for them, that's unemployment,net or part time rugby for them now. they were always going to be a hard team to beat today like cornered rat.

Completely agree about Keinhorst - you cannot know his effort but he should not be anywhere near an elite RL side not even as a squad filler, the less said about Walters the better. Sutcliffe is an enigma - nearly cost us the game yet his run at the end sealed the game.

Demonstration enough that we need to stay well clear of that dreaded Million Pound Game if any were needed

I had a peek at the Widnes Forum and it makes illuminating reading. Several comments to the effect that we are nearly as bad as they are and that this is the worst Leeds team they can remember. I have been around a long time and can't (quite) agree with the last point, but there is a lot of truth in the first one.

I have been around since 1978, and I totally agree with the last one. This is by far the worst team, when in comparison to the level of the competition.

do not agree, it is the second worst season we have had in the super league era, but there is enough quality players in the squad, we should not be in this position. injuries are not an excuse but they have been a huge factor. the 1996 side did not have anywhere near the quality as this side. and the 1986-17 side that only stay upped by points difference is the worst that was a shocking squad with very little quality if any at all. there has been some very good performances this season, both games against saints and Warrington we played well and a few others. the 96 side would not have beat either those sides or got close. think he have had a fully fit garbut and watkins think we would have been 5-6 instead. still need to show 5-6 players the door and replace them with quality though.

I agree, Keinhorsts bang average at best and a poor defender imo. He's another whos cap space could be added to say Delaneys cap space and sign one better quality player instead of the 2 of them with there cap space combined. New signing takes Delaneys spot, Newman moves up the ladder and takes Keinhorsts spot, Broadbent moves up the ladder and takes Newmans spot.

Its win win imo, we get a better quality first 17 and our very good juniors get a pathway, and keep progressing up the squad, instead of blocking there progress and wasting cap money on Ormndroyds, Walters, Keinhorsts and the likes. Just my opinion ofcourse.

We'r in a pretty good position in that most of the dead wood are off contract after this season and we'v got the best crop of juniors we'v had for 15 year waiting to progress, hope the club dont mess it up.

I think you are struggling to differentiate between players individual and team. I repeat, this is the worst team I have seen in that time.

But by the way, we have some very poor players in this current team.

I would still say the 96 side was far worse, i think the 2001 side under dean lance was pretty dire as well but that may be just how bad lance was and it took another 2 full seasons to recover from that spell.

But look at the competition those years. They were far better than the current one.

2001 side included: Toni Carrol, Iestyn? Senior, Sinfield, JJB

This is the worst Leeds team I've ever seen - even when everyone is fit. It's a team game and the team is awful. Sutcliffe makes Dave Hesselwood and Mark Massa look awesome, as for the forwards I'm dreaming of the glory days of Gary Price and Andy Sykes.
Has Dave Furner ever got a job on. McDermott's protestations after his sacking look even more ridiculous now.

Fortunately I think both Sinfield and Furner know its a rebuild job, Sinfield even mentioned it in his latest post match interview. I don't for one second think Sinfield thinks its job done if we get through these Middle 8s

Personally I will be happy A. if we get through the middle 8s with a game to spare and B. if next year we just look like a more complete side, I'm not expecting us to be back up in the top4 for at least 2 years and I'm fine with that as long as we look to be heading in the right direction.

I was a big fan of McDermott but in hindsight I will say I think he should have gone after last years GF, he deserved the benefit of the doubt in 2016 but a plan should have been put in place through ought 2017 for 2018 without him. I also still think Sinfield is the right guy for the DOR job.