Quote: Juan Cornetto "The selection showed that Brian McD did have a clear and valid game plan. He knew he was going against the top form side in SL and without one of his key attackers (two if you include Webb) and maybe with a doubt about Burrow.'"
Top form side if you conveniently exclude their last game. Whatever happened to you're only as good as your last game?
Was Webb unavailable for selection?
Seems to me McDermott deliberately chose to be without Webb's brand of professionalism for this match and who could blame him.
Quote: Juan Cornetto " Two factors changed that... firstly the downpour came just after we had taken the lead and when Keinhorst was due on'"
The downpour started inbetween Kirke scoring Leeds' opening try and Sinfield kicking the conversion to make it 6-6. Leeds didn't take the lead until three minutes later by which time the downpour had turned into a light drizzle.
In relation to Keinhorst what evidence is there to suggest he would have been introduced any earlier than he eventually was, which incidentally was in the 56th minute ?
Quote: Juan Cornetto " Despite the poor form of 4 of our 5 props and their lack of go forward, we still managed to be in the game until our discipline problem.'"
When do you think Leeds' discipline problem started? For me it was not long after they had taken the lead and it began with Jones-Buchanan's typical over-eagerness in the defensive line. That said Hodgson also conned Silverwood by dummying the play the ball right on his own line.
Quote: Juan Cornetto " But I maintain we were not disgraced or humiliated like we were in 2010. So IMO not the coaches fault.?'"
No need for a question mark there really, unless you're questioning your own opinion?
Did it rain, sorry downpour in 2010? Poor conditions usually lessen the difference in performance levels between teams. I agree with those that opined on the day that the poor weather on Saturday was more to Leeds' advantage than Warringtons offload led game. That would make sense to me and Warrington did appear to struggle more than Leeds to play the ball without knocking on as their more urgent approach came unstuck for a while in the conditions.
Quote: Juan Cornetto " Yes we need some new recruits which the coach I am sure is aware of, but in this game he had to play with the hand he had been dealt. Had Warrington lost Briers, Hodgson or Monaghan to injury 2 weeks before the game they too would have not been as effective on attack.'"
The hand McDermott had been dealt was in having two weeks to prepare for McGuire's absence. Isn't that his job? He might also have a bigger squad available if he wasn't so keen to offload some of them mid-season and ship others out on loan.
Smith has rotated his squad throughout the year, including Briers and Hodgson, to keep certain players fresh, looking at other options and formations in readiness for such a reasonably likely eventuality.