Leeds set the ultimate in low benchmark standards last year.

It only takes 2 good performances at the end to win SL.

The rest is unimportant.

BM seems to believe that a number of senior players are in cruise mode (taken from the BBC):

"I know everybody else is talking about what happened last year. I don't like being eighth. I want us to come top and finish league leaders.

"It's not helping this group that everybody else is saying it's all right because of what Leeds did last year. This group responded last year to things that were said. It was a desperate, dire situation last year and we saw the best of that group of players.

"I've just questioned them whether they're in the comfort zone, thinking that mythical back end is going to happen for us. It's a very dangerous route to go down."

The last comment suggests that's exactly what BM thinks is happening. I didn't think at all he would have been happy with the way things went for most of last year, and it sounds as if he's just as unhappy this year. He is absolutely right that if the team think that they can cruise for the year and somehow reproduce the play-off form when its needed then we are on a massively dangerous route.

If the team is cruising, then the only way to shake them out of it is to make changes and for BM to drop players he doesn't think are standing up to be counted.

TBH its a very poor effort from the team if true.

I agree. In fact, I thought we were dominant in the 1st half but errors and a few missed tackles kept it close. We dominated the ruck 1st half and put the Saints attackers on their backs.

However, in the 2nd half, after JJBs try Saints simply took it up a notch and we couldn't compete. They won every collision and pinned us on our line with a great kicking game. I've no idea why and see no need to over react, even though I was baffled by some of the coaches use of his squad.

I'd like some changes. Hardaker to wing or reserves and Ablett into centre. The lad shows no improvement whatsoever at this position and maybe some learning needs to be done in the reserves? Sinfield back to 13 with Burrow at 7, running the left and McGuire at 6 running the right. Or, to dig us out of the mire, maybe Burrow back to the bench but coming on at 7, not 9.

And I'd give Hauraki another go off the bench in place of Clarkson to try and give us an attacking spark from the bench. Might not work as Hauraki blows hot and cold but worth a try.

I think Leeds winning last years GF is dangerous for Leeds and everyother club. If clubs go in with the attitude that the season does not matter bar the playoffs, then how soon until fans follow suit. The league is the money spinner not the GF. Without the league Leeds lose income from fans not turning up.

Some Saints fans have this point of view too, that we can come good in the playoffs, well watch season tickets slump if that's the case as if the players ain't bothered about anything bar the playoffs the fans will catch on quick. Then watch the chairmen bleat and want a top 10 not a top 8 playoff.

You deserved you GF and the rules are the rules, but it's not going to help the game if players and coaches start to act that way.

Another quote from BM:

"It pains me to say it but I think St Helens wanted that game more than we did."

If that's not a direct indictment on the team then nothing is.

Reminded me a lot of the Warrington home game earlier in the year, except on this occasion the visitors managed to pull their fingers out in the second half. Once Saints hit their stride, Leeds simply had no response.

I said exactly the same last night, exept the Burrow bit. We need to win at the weekend, so I would go with changes but tightening things up in some areas, and give energy and enthuisiasm in another.

For me I would go Hardaker to right wing in place of Smith (for this game), Ablett to left centre, Ward to stand off, Sinfield to 13. Start with Lunt, and have Burrow on bench. Would drop Griffin also and have Moore in instead.

I think the players need to have a good hard look at themselves, and I think the coach does too.

Too many square pegs in round holes smacks of jobs for the boys attitude. Burrow is not the best 9 at the club, so he shouldn't be starting at 9, regardless of how long he's been with the club. The same goes for other players. If people are guarunteed a spot in the side regardless of form then its no wonder people rest on their laurels.

Thoughts during last nights game and several before...........why invest in a season ticket to watch a squad stroll through half of the games and end up placed between 3 and 7 in Super League when you can save the ££££ and just turn up for the playoffs and watch them try??

How many of the "loyal" supporters will continue to turn up to see a tactically inept side dial in a performance??

Again (and I say again because he did the self same thing at Wigan in round 2) coach McDermott only used 8 of his permitted 10 interchanges - the final change was Delaney on for Ablett in the 67th minute.

It might serve him well to recognise when people under-perform and the best place to start is by looking in the mirror, IMO.

I agree with G1 re Hardaker. Completely annonymous at Hull, completely anonymous again last night. And I'm sure he'll agree with me that his opposite centre put his winger away nicely with superb footwork and a quality sleight of hand pass. Excellent finish by Makinson as well.

The game for me turned on two incidents - a risky pass from Ablett spilled by Watkins and the Makinson try that followed. Leeds were never in the contest for me after that.

I stopped buying a season ticket a few years ago....and now rely on freebies & discounts

Leeds Rhinos are the 'Apple' of Super League. They sure know how to market an inferior product!!