Apart from a couple of good kicks which were aided by some shoddy full back play from BJB I thought Brough was pretty shocking, I agree that the lack of kick pressure is frustrating. I also think our slow PTBs don't help.

You've obviously overlooked his chase back to prevent Briscoe scoring the matchwinning try.
Not that I agree with your statement anyway. I wish we'd had a halfback who in your terms played as badly as Brough.

He didn't prevent it though. The VR disallowed it, and it was a 50 50 call.
It was mixed bag from Brough, some good kicks aided by poor full back play, but also plenty of wayward passes, and average kicks too. He was the best half back in the game, but that isn't exactly saying much.

What?
Are you saying that had he not chased back the try would still have been disallowed?

There [imust be[/i personality clash issues I guess with regards to Brough and the number of clubs he has lent his services to......
BUT if we had a man of his mercurial talents (and pace) slotting in at half back my gods we'd see a lot more of our classy 1 to 5 being brought into play and more chances of success in the opposition 20 (his kicking game is something we badly miss). .... providing we had the forwards to lay the platform of course. Ahem! Cough!

Danny brough was not at his best and a couple of 40/20s were aided by bishops hesitance in fielding kicks. Apart from a few kicks he was average, the best half back on the field yes, largely down to ours being way off the money.

Wow you're fickle. You were praising the whole squad including the coach a couple of weeks ago. Balls to Brough, he's a dummy spitter who's never performed when it matters and never will. The grass isn't always greener.

Leeds were scoring tries for fun up until the recent & annual dip in form, have the best defence in the league, are in the CC semis, pretty much nailed on for a top two finish and haven't even got out of 3rd gear yet. The next few weeks leading up to the semi should see us easily go on an unbeaten run with all injured & banned players returning in time for Warrington. If we pick up any more injuries then Luke Briscoe, Ward and Walters are more than capable.

8 players out with 5 kids playing and Hudds still only won due to Sinfield missing a goal that he'd usually kick 99 times out of 100. If Zak played we'd have won at a canter.

"Fickle"? Not at all. At no point have I suggested we should try to recruit Brough.

I simply stated with a man of his talents and capabilities at half back we would be in a better position with regards to a far better kicking game and bringing our 1 to 5 into play.

I have sufficient faith this season in the club, playing staff and its coaching to forecast that come the business end of the season, Leeds will at long last win the CC and also have the ability to win another championship GF. The defence as you state has being improved immeasurably this season. Great to see.

That's not to stay there is still improvement that could be made in all areas: coaching and playing staff. To say otherwise would be foolish.

Seeing the likes of Robbie Ward and Walters being brought into the team can only do good for the business end of the season. Both look like they could have a good future.

Now if only we could pension of Kirke

Your that good that had Peacock deservedly got a red card against Leigh you'd be out of the cup. Nailed on for a top 2 finish? dont get ahead of yourself just yet, lots can happen between now and October

But he didn't and we're not. He wasn't even banned by the RFL so it obviously wasn't deemed to be worthy of a red card either.

And as for what's going to happen between now and October. Yes, a lot can happen and I can guarantee at least 2 things. Your lot won't be at Wembley and you'll get knocked out of the play offs by some no hopers like Hull KR following a huge choke by Scotland's finest.

We've got one of the best kickers and organisers in the game, someone who very rarely goes missing when it matters and I've no doubt he'll hit top form again soon enough.

Hello you're back

Leeds recent form hasn't so far been that damaging with saints losing. They'll be 1 point behind Wigan if they win their game in hand and are 1 point behind saints which effectively puts them 3rd. They need to start winning again and fast otherwise one of saints or Wigan will put daylight between us.

Leeds need to keep themselves in that top 2 and just keep plugging away until the guns return

Yeah next Sunday we don't want to slip up. We are away to Widnes who have to play Wigan this Wednesday in the catch-up from the WCC so on a short turn around we should win it. Also Saints play Cas that day and have to go to Wigan the following week so they have it tricky coming up.

Before we play Saints again our fixtures look like this

Widnes (A)
Catalans (H)
Wakey (A)
HKR (H)
Cas (H)
Salford (A)
Bradford (H)
London (A)

We should be looking at getting AT LEAST 14 from a possible 16 points there IMO, if not all the points (but a slip up can happen and Cas is tricky also.)

That would take us to 37 (or 39) points. Going on past years and the tightness of this years competition I'd say 40/41 should get you top 2.

After that run of games we face Saints (H), Wigan (A) and Hull (A) to finish the season off.
Saints end the year Leeds (A), Wire (H) and Hudds (A).

Looking at Wigan's remaining fixture list and with them out of the cup then if they beat Saints in two weeks time I think they'll be top 2 by the end of the year, so between ourselves and Saints for the other top 2 spot I reckon.