I heard he was picked but gave up his shirt to Clarkson. But he still should've been in the side before Kirke or Ablett. A bizarre decsion from McClennan.

An act of nobility from Ali that does not sound implausible.....but as you say McClennan should have over ruled him. Clarkson should have been consoled by the head coach that his time will come (personally I believe Diskin should have missed out from the 17......but obviously Kirke, Ablett, Bailey and indeed Buderus hardly covered themselves in glory to justify [itheir[/i selection).

If the coach selected Kirke ahead of Ali or allowed the players to pick his team for him then, frankly, it confirms some of teh rumours I've heard about him.

not his greatest game yesterday but leeds look infintely more dangerous with buderus on the field - can he not do 80 mins?

What rumours pm me.

PM me with these rumours plaese

Speaking to Ali after the game, he said that he was selected, but he did not feel he was fit to play, and didn't want to break down in the middle of the game and leave us a sub down like 2005, that is why he "offered his shirt to Clarkson"

I agree -

Not what he told me, he said he was fit but dropped! Blueys logic was supposedly saving him for play offs. One really has to question his tactics! It was so obvious where Wire's strength was and it appears he just ignored it.

Agreed.

Half an hour of Ali yesterday and more minutes for Bailey, Ablett (who I know had a poor game in the end)would have been a much better option. We were crying out for a game breaker to make something happen at 14-0 for at least 20 minutes

Must agree if Ali was fit then it was a shocking decision to leave him out of the 17

Having just sat through the sky+ to see if we were that bad I noted Davies comment about Kirke missing Atkins due to being tired...............tired!!!! He'd only been on the park 10 minutes!

As much as I felt before Kirke was worth a shirt.............it certainly wasnt at the expense of Ali!

Outcoached on the pitch and out thought selection wise........questions to be asked??

And yes Bluey couldnt have forseen such a poor performance all round from the majority of the 17 selected I do agree. Rarely however do we see the players taking the blame for this which once again is probably wrong but seems it is they way it is.

I cant disagree with a lot of what you say but I do believe Bluey has often winged it with the "squad togetherness" line seemingly not having a plan B if it goes tits up....... sooner or later it was going to catch up with us..........it did yesterday!

Absolutle shambles on all accounts.

Firstly that a player is getting selected who doesn't even feel fit enough himself.

and then allowing the players to select the team.

If ali wasn't fully fit he shouldnt have been selected in the first place.

But he was so McClennan should have overuled.