Forget the 2 GF wins and the WCC the overall standard and level which Leeds have played since TS & BM departed has declined.
The bulk of the players Bluey inherited played under TS/BM and even with the addition of some quality signings the general standard is slowly declining IMO.
Yes you might say the sliverware speaks for its self but overall our performances over the last 2 years have been average with the odd exception and a few get out of jail performances.
Surely Bluey should have one of the easiest jobs in SL coaching lads that have played together season after season man and boy along side overseas stars in front of the best supporters in the rugby world at Headingley so how come our performances are declining unchecked.
Bluey talks a good fight and yes the other teams are stronger but looking round our team on paper we can't lose.....that is until they actually have too play then they look lost,lack direction and confused why?
35 years watching Leeds through good times and alot of bad yes we've had a great last 6 years but am i the only one that thinks our performances are poorer or average at best compared to 2004/2007?
Leeds for life but i'm no fan of Bluey.

oh goody, another alias.

As did you last season when describing him as "clearly better than Diskin" and "the best hooker in the league,possibly the world"
What has happened to change your view? After all those comments were made last July after he broke his leg playing for us, and he did not play again until this season. Therefore in your view he has gone from been the best hooker in the world to a player you single out nearly every week for criticism after only a handful of games.
I would agree he is not at his best but he his returning from a broken leg. If he remains injury free for the rest of the season and has not rediscovered the form that led you to believe he was the best No 9 in the world then that would be a fairer time to have a go IMO.
You have had a pop at other posters in the past who have critcised players one week only to be singing their praises a few weeks later. People in glass houses...............

I give praise and criticism in equal measure to players based upon performance and regardless of any favouritism. I critiqued a stupid decision that Buderus made late in the game that cost us the opportunity for a win. What does any of the above have to do with that? Should I [inot[/i criticise Buderus because he is a great player? Maybe I am so critical because of the player he is and because he has been so underwhelming.

He clearly is a great player. He clearly hasn't shown that greatness at Leeds.

It annoys me that so many on here are willing to leap to his defence (do you really think a broken leg last July is an excuse for the decision to pass to Kylie) yet not an inch of leeway is given to Diskin who without a doubt has earned it (he was called a Carthorse today without explanation).

Oh, and rather than selectively quoting certain phrases from a post I made some time ago could you link to the actual post to give what I said it's proper context.

I was not refering to the pass to Kylie in particular, but you have criticised his performance most weeks.
He has not shown that greatness at Leeds as much as we would have liked, but that has been down to injury.He was showing that form, by your own admission, at the time he broke his leg.It can take players time to get all their confidence back after such an injury and it is still relatively early in the season.
I agree the stick Diskin sometimes receives is also OTT.

Because most weeks I do not think he has been any great shakes, this season. If he plays well next week I shall praise him.

I don't think he has ripped teams apart at the ruck like I though he would, we have seen glimpses though.

His defence on the otherhand is top class, and really brings intensity to the defensive line when he's on.

drop goals you say?
grand final last year?
2 WCCs?
an extra time semi final?
danny ward at the boulevard!

that's without even thinking about it

didn't dunneman score one, maybe even two

Franny got one at Cas one year

Also without thinking about it Lee Smith in the corresponding Bradford home regular round fixture last season. The one where Sinfield's attempt was charged down and Smith slotted over the rebound. All those hours spent on the training field blah, blah, blah.

Leeds Drop Goals, SL Era (All Comps)

Kevin Sinfield ..... 21
Graham Holroyd ..... 10
Iestyn Harris ..... 7
Rob Burrow ..... 4
Ryan Sheridan ..... 4
Francis Cummins ..... 2
Andrew Dunemann ..... 2
Tony Kemp ..... 2
Danny McGuire ..... 2
Daryl Powell ..... 2
Anthony Gibbons ..... 1
Lee Smith ..... 1
Danny Ward ..... 1

If only Buderus had passed him the ball instead of Kylie eh?

Yes, if only. That said didn't he give the ball to Burrow a few tackles earlier?

I suppose that's the danger of having too many Antipodeans running around Headingley, keeping the ball to themselves.

They come over here, taking our jobs, keeping our balls...............