10 seconds before the knock on, when Ryan Hall blatently pulled at Sarginson's leg as he played the ball but didn't get penalised, was that the "correct decision"? Going off your sig I imagine correct decisions are ones that go against Wigan.

I recall that team, and knew one of them... And they were a dirty team.. Talented, but very dirty.

no dirtier than other teams

yep. but that's always conveniently forgotten

Who was it who was saying that Thaler was easily the best ref? Whilst I'd tend to agree he's not doing himself any favours in the last few minutes of the Hudds/Saints game. If this was Silverwood and us we'd be going through the roof.

The first time I spoke at any length with Brian McDermott it was quite a strained conversation. I felt uneasy with his demeanour and the way he came across. I used to find his post match interviews unnerving but compelling. Over the last few months I've warmed to him, he comes across as genuine and thoughtful in his responses, unlike Most of the cliche riddled coaches of present day RL. It is refreshing to hear a coach say what he thinks rather than what people would like to hear. I always find him respectful to other clubs if they have earned that respect, and honest rather than diplomatic regarding events post match. All I can ask from a coach is that they have the best interest of the club at heart, they work 100% to achieve success, and they are honest but firm with the players. McDermott fulfills those criteria, and I would never level any criticism at him for failing to do everything he can to achieve success for the the team. No two people are the same, and if McDermott is vastly different to the average person it doesn't bother me. He is here to manage the team, and if he can bring in good players that elevate our chances of success, and he manages them well, I am not bothered about his unorthodox approach and unusual demeanour.

Agree if you don't believe that check out in the usual place Leeds v Chelsea the FA Cup replay of 1970, possibly the most brutal game ever played in England.

I remember that game and others against the top sides. Each team had it's hard men and Leeds were no exception but gained a perhaps unfair reputation of being the dirtiest partly because they were so successful. The side matured into a very skillful team who played some great football.

It was because all of the press were London based and didn't like a little yorkshire side dominating

Eventually he said he'd never said it to Rod but it took him three attempts to get there.

McDermott first said "I'm not sure I've ever said that Rod"

(Ever, I would suggest, being the relevant word here.)

Then McDermott said "I don't think I've ever said that"

(Again the use of the word ever standing out.)

Before finally offering "I don't think I've ever said ever to you - you get what you deserve."

Hard to imagine a coach never saying what he was being 'accused' of saying to someone, somewhere, sometime - even if that individual wasn't actually ever Rod Studd.

Just seemed an odd way to respond to a question that implied that Leeds perhaps had been a little hard done by - which is a sentiment seen echoed since.

I feel sure Mac has plenty of experience of Studd and his wind up style and perhaps is not his favorite interviewer. Studd opened with an attempt to put words in Mac's mouth saying something like "I know you believe you get...etc". So, given that Mac would have been none too pleased with what had just happened in the match, Mac made clear he was not going to go along with Studd's little game.

By opening with "I know..." Studd had personalized his remark and therefore Mac's response was in that same personal context and his reply made clear Studd was quite wrong to assume he knew Mac's thoughts.

To take a phrase out of context is misleading as Mac was clearly addressing Studd personally as the whole exchange proved. It is hard enough for a coach to have to go on TV immediately after such an event with emotion running high but if you then have the interviewer trying to get you to make a remark that could land you in trouble it is understandable if the coach treats the wind up with contempt.