The Challenge Cup this season is more Mickey Mouse than usual. The RFL have really excelled themselves this year with the dubious scheduling.

Conclusion of Round 3 is followed by a 2 week wait for the 4th Round draw. This is then followed by a 7 week wait for Round 4 fixtures to be played, to be followed by the 5th Round draw immediately afterwards and Round 5 fixtures to be played 2 weeks after Round 4. Another 2 month break follows before the Quarter Finals are scheduled. The Semi Finals are then squeezed in just 2 weeks after the Quarter Finals.

One could be forgiven for assuming there's an agenda to further marginalise this competition in favour of that Great Super League God in the Sky.

For the time being, Leeds remain in the CC for another 9 weeks at least - that's another positive.

Some of the player stats you see quoted these days exclude Challenge Cup appearances. Makes you wonder what the RFL have in mind ...... if anything.

Personally, I hope we have a lousy cup campaign this year ...

You're not Bradford ?

My Gran is paying my subs for the rugby section.

Thats the only positive so far!

Positives....

We showed a lot of determination against the Bulls.
We showed a lot of spirit against Hull.
We're currently leading points scorers in SL.
Sinfield is looking like this could be his year for a well deserved Man of Steel.
BMc isn't afraid to blood the youngsters.
We're only 2 points off being joint top of the league.
And in 2 years time, our season tickets will only be £60!


Oh... and we're currently second in the "Who has the best Mascot" poll on the SL website.

The diarrhea I had at the weekend has dried up.

So now will you scrape it off?

Is there some sort of scientific law where by given [iX[/i amounts of posts, by [iY[/i amount of people all threads end up discussing sh[ii[/it?

Self reflection is your friend.

No, it's a good mould and is quite comfy to sit on.

I read a lot of gush on this site and thought I’d finally reply as some of the doom and gloom is absurd. We are 4 games into the season less we forget and nothing is won in March.

The performances have been patchy but signs of brilliance can be seen if you take time to look rather than criticise. Leeds are trying things and something’s inevitably haven’t come off such as the drop out against Harlequins. That said Leeds are top of the try chart, top off the points chart (whilst also being top of the missed goals chart I might add). Also top of the offloads chart and top of the clean breaks chart so we are clearly creating.

We are playing some attractive rugby and signs of class such as the cross field kick from Sinfield to BJB against Wire, also the coach has tried some innovative set plays such as the scrum break against Bradford or the 2 player (Burrow & Ablett) run around from the base of the scrum against Warrington. These nearly came off and with a few more months to implement and gel with the coach Leeds will be right up there again.

All this attacking flair has come without one of our best creative players.

The thing letting Leeds down has been defence we have missed the most tackles and made the 3rd most errors thus we’ve lost 2 game. Once we have got use to playing this new attractive style again the errors will dry up. Our best defenders such as Peacock will return and we will once again be near the top come October.

The discipline this year looks better we currently sit 9th in terms of number of penalties conceded compared to 4th in 2009 and 6th in 2010.

All in all there’s a number of positives if people can avoid the easy option of criticising and look for them.

You should comment more often!

You'll be pleased to know that we've also now gone top of the "Who's got the best mascot" poll on the SL website. Things are looking up!

Love it kirk! You're right.... Plenty to be optimistic about. Bring on friday!