His actual words were "I got that decision wrong, I didn't think they'd make it at the time."

That's my take on things as well. Rugby is a late developing sport, there are great kids who turn into great adults, there are great kids who are only great because they developed earlier than everyone else and who then fall away, and there are kids who don't look much until relatively late. William mentions Peacock, but I seem to remember nobody wanted Syd Hynes as a youngster and he had to beg for trials.
I have always thought that we don't look hard enough at the lower levels below superleague. A player almost has to be superman in the Championship to attract any attention.
The other issue with not having A teams is that we are simply not able to develop half backs anymore in any great quantity or quality. Takes time to develop the game management skills to move big forwards around the pitch and get used to the pace of adult rugby, halves have no virtually no chance to do that unless they are first teamers by 19.

I was speaking to one of the Leeds and Huddersfield coaches tonight, and they both came out with something not thought of. They were talking about the league and said it was no coincidence the teams doing well so far, are the ones who have embraced the reserves competion. Both felt their clubs should have done the same. Has they actually been many reserve games?

Quote: Gotcha "I was speaking to one of the Leeds and Huddersfield coaches tonight, and they both came out with something not thought of. They were talking about the league and said it was no coincidence the teams doing well so far, are the ones who have embraced the reserves competion. Both felt their clubs should have done the same. Has they actually been many reserve games?'" Yep. Check www.rugby-league.com/match_centre and search for Academy games.

Quote: Gotcha "I was speaking to one of the Leeds and Huddersfield coaches tonight, and they both came out with something not thought of. They were talking about the league and said it was no coincidence the teams doing well so far, are the ones who have embraced the reserves competion. Both felt their clubs should have done the same. Has they actually been many reserve games?'" Yep. Check www.rugby-league.com/match_centre and search for Academy games.

Wallace Arnold

Tony Smith Jnr, David Plange?

Whoever the coach is for next year ought to be looked at in the context of 2017 and beyond. Just about the worst thing Leeds could do is appoint someone for the rest of this season who strings together a few results and is then appointed permanently.

Get Brian Smith in for a few months to do exactly the same job he did at Wakefield last year. Instill a bit of professionalism, remind the players of basic rugby technique, and prepare for the middle eights. That's how far we've fallen.

Then concentrate on recruiting a top long-term coach for next year, because they aren't available now.

Peter Fox and Malcolm Clift couldn't do any worse and they were useless.

They are available now. But personally I am not so keen on them coming mid year. This is the structure McDermott in his power building has been allowed to build up. With no next in line, or a successor, there is no one at the club to step into the breach. Which either means seeing it out to end of year (which would be a disaster even worse on current trend), bring in your new coach early if they agree, or appoint an interim (not usually a good idea unless right person). Your best option might be Smith in, working with Sinfield just for the rest of the year, with a future announced position for Sinfield and contract in place, which is not on the coaching.

When Leeds sacked Robin Dewhurst after their worst ever defeat to Castleford (last night as bad as it was is still second to that) they appointed David Ward and Alan Smith as caretaker coaches for the next 7 games, their record was L, W, L, W, L, W, L then Maurice Bamford arrived and 9 games later Leeds were lifting the JP/Regal Trophy.

Funny things can happen when tough decisions are taken, when nettles are grasped. Dewhurst was told to clear his desk, he also had lost three straight V Castleford, I think one of the four L's for Ward and Smith made it four V Cas.

Time for a change.

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Steve McNamara. He has ample experience in helping recently successful clubs languish near the bottom of SL.

Mick Potter.

Richard Marshall doing great at Halifax.