if Leeds always tried to play like tonight there wouldn't be an issue.

100%

Doesn't it raise the question as to why that style isn't the norm rather than the first good performance in weeks? Whilst we can look at the coach I think we also have to look at some of the senior players who were missing and ask how come we looked so much better without them.

If McDermott is not sacked after that performance tonight, lets face it he is never going to get sacked.

Incidentally nearly 8 days untill next game now would be a good time to do it. But i have had enough tonights second half collapse was indefensible. 1 win in 9 not scored 30 points all season.

Rightly or wrongly he won’t get the sack because of the injuries.

And if he did who do you suggest takes the reigns for what is increasingley looking like another middle 8 end to the campaign

The injuries are at least partly down to having too many old players in the squad. Its hard to blame anyone other than GH for that. But performances as a whole have been rubbish for two out of three seasons regardless of injuries - that's down to BM to exactly the same extent he's responsible for us winning things.

If we do end up in the Middle 8s again then GH will surely have to make some changes for next year. Personally, I'd say if we end up there again I find it hard to believe BM would have the front to not accept some share of responsibility.

If we're really in a tailspin going into the Middle 8s then there are some Aussie coaches available who might well do a job for a few months, and we have seen other clubs turned around very quickly without new players but just a new coach.

Depends on the relationship the players have with the coach, we are relying on a lot of young players and a change of cosch could do more harm than good at this point in the season.

Whilst I don't think it will happen, I doubt very much it would do more harm than good. We've lost 6 league games on the bounce, and 1 out of our last 9. I struggle to see how much 'worse' a new coach could make things. What we do see OTOH is plenty of evidence of at least a short-term bounce when a new coach is appointed - sometimes not sustained, but at the very least it shakes some players out of their comfort zone as nobody is undroppable.

Its interesting to see the YEP articles on the Cats game side by side - Smith saying Leeds are in crisis, right next to BM saying there's nothing to worry about. Frankly after the garbage he came out with in 2016 ("we're still aiming for top spot/top four/Super 8s" when everyone could see for weeks if not months that those targets had already gone) then I don't see he has much credibility on that. In fact in these circumstances I'd far rather he started metaphorically sticking the boot into the senior players who aren't putting in a shift.

BR-The flip side of that is 2017 when he said we could still win the GF after getting tubbed at Cas.
He has plenty of credability imo his CV shows that.
I do disagree with his latest "We're in good shape" stuff though 1 win in 9 & a decent effort in defeat v ST's proves otherwise imo.
What is really obvious is a severe lack of flexability with his Coaching/Game plan.
They way we've played under his stewardship has no effect with this current squad & he/we have failed to adapt.

I am in a different boat to that for this season. He needs to go, but that can be seasons end for me, not now. We have no one to step in. We need the right man going forward, he is nit the right man for going forward.

We're in great shape. There is no crisis!!!

Slump slump whats a slump angela.

Everything has gone stale, it's so clear for all to see and the reason for that is BM. We need to freshen everything up, not just the stadium.

The players are aging and the academy is not producing the necessary quality to step in. Sure, some may come good in 2/3 years time but what happens in the interim?

Our approach to the game is either obvious or complete suicide, there is no middle ground.

I just don't see any other way than a new coach who will bring a new approach and some new players.

Unfortunately we have a CEO who is either out of touch with the modern game or he's still busy falling out with everybody (11-1) because he's not getting his own way. A coach who is too stubborn to leave and players too long in the tooth or not good enough

I've been thinking for a while perhaps the reason we have stuck with McD is there is no money there to bring in a new coach, one which is likely to want to make wholesale changes which again means money. McD is obviously happy to go with GH and not complain so it is what it is.

I've said before...in years gone by no way would a coach have lived through such dire patches of performances and results pre 2010 under GH's watch.

There is plenty of money to spend at Leeds on the playing staff if they deem it necessary. But you'll never get Hetherington making quick or rash decisions, it's just the way he is.

The claim the academy isn't producing decent players is almost laughable when you look at the younger players who have played this year and who have very quickly become regulars.

like it or not we are in a relegation battle and there's no excuses, unlike 2016. I can't see where the next win is coming from

The players have had to.walk all round the ground to.get on the pitch will be next.

I must admit I've been waiting for unfamiliar changeing rooms to be used

Wigan and Cas away next two games. Be shocked if we get owt there. Seriously is looking like middle 8s again.

I think so and it won't be easy this year

I disagree. Walker is a real talent, no issues there at all.

The pole is a big lad but so green and makes many mistakes. I think he will come good but it will take a while yet. Reminds me of singleton in that respect.

Smith isn't good enough. Not sure he ever will be.

Not seen enough of any others to really comment which in itself says a lot.

As for those that have been around a while now such as Handley, sutty, walters and Lilley, they are hardly setting the world on fire.

If I missed anyone please say but I don't see how the academy is producing players good enough to step in now.

What we need is investment in a handful of top level players who can push the club on now.

you dont see how a team playing 5 teenagers against Catalans and only losing in the last minute is showing theyre producing good enough players?
are you expecting academy players to already be the finished product?
feel free to provide examples of other teams playing with with young kids and getting results that are showing us how its done

Smith was outstanding last night, its his first proper season are you expecting kids to come in and instantly play like seasoned pros?

Handley is much improved and is still learning, these kids are learning the hard way which will help them in the end, they have come into a side lacking a lot of senior players, I would be much more downbeat if our first choice team was losing the way we are, again we are not getting hammered, its frustrating ad I think this year is a total right off, I think we will scrape in the top 8 as I think in the next few games a couple of closer games will go our way.

Wether McDermott should go next season is up for debate (probably not reasonable debate on here mind) but sacking him now with no replacement would be stupid.