I don't see us (or anyone) being able to sign a mass of new players.

Even without any changes to the makeup of the squad, I think there are some changes that have to be made to how they are used.

JP has to suck it up and admit he's no longer a long-minute prop. He can still start, but needs to be taken off pretty quickly. Given that Leuluai is the same, one of them will need to move to the bench, otherwise you'd have to replace both starting props within 15 minutes.

The coach needs to work out the best way to use Sinfield, McGuire, Burrow, Ward and the hooker (I thought Lunt looked average at Wembley and TBH would rather go with McShane and Hood). This is particularly the case if Hardaker is not going to be involved in making plays a la Webb. Some hard decisions need to be made here - we again seem to have too many chiefs, not enough Indians and even then look clueless at times.

Perhaps the most ironic thing about the weekend is that Tony Smith was lambasted for being unable to coach an England team against Australia, and yet has turned the one area he identified in defence as a real problem - second man plays with dummy runners - into a massive strength for Wire. Watching Wire score those second half tries really was akin to watching Australia take England apart out wide.

Quote: batleyrhino "Gary said he was wondering if this team had run it's course, well we might find out between now and the end of the season. To be honest, I don't think we need major work, but we do need to start making changes. Amor must come back and we need a strong pacy second rower. I remember some London fans saying that McDermott will fill the team with hard working players regardless of their quality. Well the one thing you cannot say about this team is that it doesn't work hard...'" GH says only Brent Webb is departing also that the game was closer than many thought! www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/s ... -1-4871912

Quote: batleyrhino "Gary said he was wondering if this team had run it's course, well we might find out between now and the end of the season. To be honest, I don't think we need major work, but we do need to start making changes. Amor must come back and we need a strong pacy second rower. I remember some London fans saying that McDermott will fill the team with hard working players regardless of their quality. Well the one thing you cannot say about this team is that it doesn't work hard...'" GH says only Brent Webb is departing also that the game was closer than many thought! www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/s ... -1-4871912

I am sure the coach of the current SL Champions and World Club Champions and twice running Cup Finalists will be waiting with baited breath to pick up some more of your 'rugby acumen' in your next posting.

Just remind me of your rugby coaching and team management experience by the way?

I've got a clear perspective thanks 1st half i thought we did ok but showed weakness taking the 2 kicks then in the 2nd half we were outclassed across the park and let the "no try" and Briers "knock on" call get to us gave away cheap penaltys had no ruck control with or without the ball and despite KW getting 2 late trys we were never in the game!!

Agree 100%. Our pack just looked feeble against the Wolves. I wouldn't swap our backs for any other club's 3/4 line, but we need the platform only a dominant pack can provide.

And yours?

You feel entitled to post your assessment of Bailey, which is contradicting by those with coaching experience who continue to select him.

Well said.

Did I say I'd be dropping Mr Hetherington a line?

No, I'll leave that to the 'experts' on here.

Fans moaning about coaches whatever next, coaches moaning about referees?

I think GH's interview from today's yep is spot on. Having just watched the game again I don think we were as bad as I thought on the day at game.

He also says that Webb is the only departure this season so I doubt there will be much change for next season.

I have a junior coaching qualification and coached for 9 years including caoching the winners of a junior age group Yorkshire Cup. I was Junior Chairman of a club with a large junior section for 6 years and Director of Rugby for a semi pro National League side for 3 years competing successfully with sides that had far bigger budgets to pay players. I have also served my time talent scouting on some of the unfashionable touch lines in the North on England. I have also been a student of the wonderful game of Rugby League (and Leeds supporter) for almost 54 years. None of this means my opinions are right but at least I have some sort of rugby grounding and pedigree.

... and you?



How do you know my assessment of Bailey is contradictory to those that have coached him? I have valued him as a very useful squad member who has spent much of his time on the bench. The Cap system means that Clubs hire a range of skills at various costs. Bailey IMO has never been a top line class prop because a limitations to his skill set. However he does have a value to the squad (more than likely at a reasonable cost) and coaches have to get a balance within their budget.

My comments regarding Ryan are to counter balance the somewhat hysterical and fictional stuff that is posted by the mutual back slappers club members.

if theres no change then i can see us struggling for a top 6 finish.

That would depend on at least 2 SL teams improving next season and by some considerable margin compared to where they are this season. Which two teams do you think they might be?

Squad member as in part of the 1st choice match day seventeen selected to play on any given week or squad as in players 18 to 25 who cover and fill in as required?



All modern day props, since the advent of four substitutions, will also expect to spend much of their time on the bench. Leuluai for example starts a higher percentage of matches but I would hazard a guess that the prop who replaces him will spend more minutes on the field.

Anybody who watched that game and didn't see we were beaten by a far better side for almost the entire game has rose-tinted specs on. Even if the 'only' problem was 10 minutes, boy what a dreadful 10 minutes it was from us.

Bill is correct about our finishing league position - 5th will be a canter unless somebody improves a lot on this year.