You are right. I'd much rather he could deliver a meaningless top 4 finish consistently than win trophies and titles.

Gotcha, you are a complete plank with no grasp of sport at all.

In the 60s early 70s we finished in first place 5 times and only won the championship final once when we were clearly the best team.The history books show the the champions of those years.I would prefer to have had a couple more Champion final wins in place of all those LLs trophies

Had we been miles of the pace of the top teams all year and spent most of the year floating around 6th then could understand more of the disappointment.

But we've been right at the top most of the year and it was down to the CC that's seen us drop down.....an acceptable reason IMO.

The fixation and focus on the CC for this group of players is now over, not saying they won't want to win it again next year but they won't be as hell bent (sorry if that word offends anyone) on getting it. This will be make a big difference alone next year IMO.

In the weeks before the CC Final I heard 3/4 players and McDermott himself all repeat the same thing, that the targets this year were the CC and LLS......not one of them ever mentioned the GF or playoffs in anyway.

I'm thinking he may be referring to Bradford and London. I could be wrong.

The problem for Leeds next season is they have to finish in the Top 4, otherwise it's season over! They'll no longer be able to get away with tossing it off throughout the regular season as has become the norm under McDermott.

Given that McDermott's coaching record in SL is 7th, 9th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 5th, 5th, 3rd and probably 6th... it's not unreasonable to be questioning his credentials for the job in light of the new structure.

Fair enough.however, its hard to imagine mcdermott resting so many and not focusing on gaining victory over easy beats Bradford and London before the cup were it only top 4 qualify,games had we won we would still be on for top and the dinner plate.6th really is a bit of a false position but still as you know not at all bad in current format.

we will see what the new structure brings, but i expect leeds to finish top 4 no problem next year.

Grow up idiot. Read what is put properly, as it appears you have no concept of the sport. Next season onwards only the top four will have the opportunity to win the trophy. That is the context being spoken of.

And as I said, had we beaten Saints or Wigan, I would have agreed with him. The CC final wasn't the reason we lost those, nor was losses to Wakefield, an injury hit Saints away, or injury hit Wigan on magic weekend.

We are finishing where we are because that is the form over 27 rounds, not because of a challenge cup.

Eh? I know our Coach has had his moments but I doubt even he would have fielded the sides he did against Bradford and London had we not still been in the Challenge Cup.

Correct.and were the system not broken the way it currently is i highly doubt so many would have been rested over both those games.

Would Mcguire and Burrow have been left out against wigan were there no real difference to finishing 3rd/4th or 5th/6th? Again, probably not.

Easy beats Bradford and London won't be there next season to be focusing on or off either way. With the initial top division down to 12 teams, that's two less whipping boy SL rabble teams and 4 less games available to toss off the regular season.

Given that 5th, 5th and 3rd were the last 3 positions Leeds finished on the regular season SL ladder, finishing 6th doesn't appear to be quite so false a position for the club to be in under the tutelage of McDermott. Sadly, among many of the fans, it's a finishing position on the ladder which is deemed structurally acceptable to many, provided it's backed up by silverware of course.

Next season should far more interesting as fans have been ripped-off and starved of proper sport for over half a decade. They'll get to rediscover interesting and meaningful games again during the regular season, and when they do, then "5th", "6th" and "McDermott" will suddenly become regarded (and rightly so) as unacceptable pieces in the Rhinos jigsaw.

Sorry pal but what a load of b-llocks. Its been a balancing act this season, with the first target being the cup. You can't ignore it has affected our league position!!

Log off - you're embarrassing yourself.