I think in the past that is true. With the squad we have currently, I dissagree with you. That performance on Friday was definitely an influence from McDermott, it had to be, although he must have had big help. The team named was not on paper the best we have had, but he certainly had them fired up and working.

On Monday that performance was again his doing. If not tactics, then simply his stupidity in selections and how he flogs people to death. It is not a mistake he makes once, he constantly does it, and learns absolutely nothing. He is fully accountable on that.

That's how i fee, a missed opportunity but i never thought we would be in such a good position at this stage with Wigan still losing games, Warrington shot and Salford and Wakey in the 4!

Important now to put this right behind us and bounce straight back with a win on Friday, this can be quickly swept under the carpet thankfully.

A look at the predictions thread could be interesting at this point, I doubt many have more than 4/5 right

Macca will never get credit from the self proclaimed experts on here. Rhinos win.....and the players did what was expected and the coach had help (from where...I haven't got a scooby), Leeds lose and it was entirely the coach's fault. We have a squad at the moment, that isn't as good as we have been used to for the last several years, BUT we are are competing at the right end of the table. For the record, I respect Macca and hold him in high regard for what he has jointly achieved with players and staff at the club. Once his tenure is complete and we have a new coach whomever it will be, he will receive the same support from me and mine as the previous incumbent. As it currently is, Macca is our coach and no whining or bellyaching will change that, we will take the rough with the smooth and see where we end up. For any fans who can remember the "Bridesmaid years" like myself, I've enjoyed the last fifteen years immensely and am looking forward to the future with a big smile.

as I've said plenty of times he's got a brilliant record and I've said on here he's done a fantastic job. however occasionally, and its happened a good few times, he does something so bloody daft you wonder what he's thinking. Mondays use, or non use, of subs was one of those times.
as such when he does things like that he deserves criticism, as he does praise when he get things right.

Absolutely spot on post. It's one thing for some to want him to move on or criticise his choices but some clearly actively dislike like, insult him and give him little to zero credit and then accuse him of arrogance even though he places the credit for successes on players, staff and management more than any other coach whilst downplaying his role.

I agree BM gets too much stick, but at the same time he brings some criticism on himself. The non-use of subs is farcial, as is not properly spelling players during games. The game is genuinely a 17 man game, and has been for over a decade. Regularly picking subs and either not using them or giving them 5 minutes is poor coaching, no matter how you dress it up.

I see Powell is going to rest some of his first team players against Saints on Sunday as they will be playing 3 games in 10 days.
Whilst other teams are playing 3 games in 8 days.
Maybe when the international was being played al teams should have just carried on playing their normal fixtures like they do in the NRL.
In Leeds case the loss of Watkins and Hall should be nothing instead of flogging 10/12 per team for three games in a short period of time.

In fairness Powell can rest players. Cas lose and it is no real hardship. We can't afford another loss against Leigh and really can't afford a loss a against Wakefield either. Rest them against fev

Powelll has been rotating his team throughout the season, that's why he is where he is, and why he can afford to lose if it happens.

Yet before the England game he'd only used 21 players compared to 26 for Leeds and most others, Wigan even more. They're playing well no doubt but their lack of injuries compared to others has helped them in both results and.resting a player here and there.

spot on. they will get injuries at some point, also a blip. be interesting to see what happens then

You'd think so although neither is a nailed-on cert. Occasionally some teams just get lucky with injuries.

True, I mean Hull had a good run with lack of injuries last year and obviously benefitted. If Wigan and Cas swapped injury lists then the former would probably be top now and the latter losing ground on the top 4.

To be fair, Cas have had their fair share of injuries the last couple of years.