I agree next year is crucial and even if it goes well there's still a thought in my mind as to whether McDermott will have reached his 'shelf life' at Leeds by the end of 2015.

Even more crucial though is what Hetherington does. Regardless of who is coach heading into 2016 & 2017, quality signings need to be made. As good as this generation who came through over 10 years ago was, they were complimented with the likes of Ali, Webb, Peacock, Leuluai etc. Cuthbertson could well be a start, but we need to be announcing another quality prop has signed at some point in the next 12 months in time for the 2016 season.

Really. I thought he said He will see how he feels,but I think your right he will be 36 seems about right

Next year is a big one for the likes of Singleton,Ward and Sutcliffe.They need to start taking on more responsibility and showing they can step up on a more consistent basis, all 3 have got plenty of game time under their belts now.Ward seems to have gone backwards a bit this year and it still isn't clear what his best position is, Mcdermott needs to figure out what it is and play him there without shifting him around.

Agree with the points about quality and cas. However, another Leeds title would actually elevate the current side even farther from the trash can of history.

History will ignore the standard, the winners will be ,rightly, remembered

the C C is a very important trophy to win it used to get more publicity and glory than the league.I like many on here can remember those dark days when we won nothing and lost with ignominy so I am not complaining

It's an indication of how far the club has come over the last generation that we can even contemplate labelling a season poor when they have still picked up a major trophy.

Frankly, that's how it should be. Leeds is a massive club and should be striving for excellence.

the decade i grew up in following Leeds pre SL, all we had to cheer was 1 measly Yorkshire Cup win.Of course it has been a successful season if we end it with the CC to show, however, yes that wouldn't stop the slight feelings of a missed opportunity regarding the SL title but i can live with it thanks.

I agree. Whilst is been the closest season I can remember is also been one of the weakest. It would be a mixed opportunity id we didn't win it or at least get to the final

OK - let's move this on a little - how would you feel if Leeds were relegated but won the CC - would you still consider it a successful season? if not why not?

You comment is a little fecicious but I can see what you are aiming at. My answer is yes and no. Over their history, the size / success of a club is judged by a number of things, but the amount of major silverware they have won is pretty much the main differentiator. Whilst some very dedicated people will pull together stats like we saw this week of years in the top flight, win records etc most people will only look at League titles, challenge cups, and the other bits that can be picked up. By winning a challenge cup you bump yourself up that list.

The reason a relegation is a bad end to the season isn't because it means that you are the 12th or 14th best club, but it sets the club back several years, or potentially indefinitely. Revenues drop, best players move on and you have to rebuild the club. The chasm between Sl and the rest is huge, and one which some clubs could not recover from. All clubs have peaks and troughs, and at the time a relegation feels very hurtful. The memories that a Cup win gives you, and it being permanently and prominently etched in the history books marks you out as a successful club, even if you are currently in the lower leagues.

For me, as someone who doesn't get a season ticket, a successful season is one in which we pick up a pot and perform to a reasonable level in the playoffs. I probably only watch about half the available Leeds games on TV, because sometimes I just can't be bothered, this in some ways reflects the way the club comes across when it puts in substandard team displays as it has over the last 4 years. I do however know that despite what we may all think, we have a chance to win the playoffs, and until we know the outcome calling the season successful or not is a little premature.

So far we have done the best out of anyone in one competition, and poorer than we would expect in another. If we don't win the Sl, I think it will depend on who we lose to which will determine how I feel. A loss to Wigan would be acceptable. A loss to Catalans would not

McDermott is a chancer, when not inheriting the best group of players, arguably in SL history, he was at London and failing miserably.

The dad bit about it he will be remembered as the best coach to have sat in the Leeds hot seat.

For context that puts him above Murray , Smith, and Bluey, incredible.

i take it that you mean "should we actually win the cc cup yet again next season despite failing to make the play offs" as we have made the play offs this season and have won the cc?
if i am correct in reading your point sal?

then firstly i would be absolutely delighted to win the 2nd best trophy on offer imo in the cc yet again,although i would be very disappointed should we not make the play offs.despite the fact that it will be a much harder task to reach the play offs next season as it will be a top 4 format and one whereby the weekly round points that are accumulated throughout the regular season are also accountable in the final top 4 reckonings that determine the top 4 sides,as opposed to the present top 8 format

with our present aging squad of forwards i would actually take a cc win next season as being a successful season should we not make the top 4,wouldn't you?
but i also wouldn't bet against our club actually taking the weekly rounds far more seriously next season to make the top 4 a priority

Ok, to answer your questions

I'd be very upset.

No, I wouldn't consider it a successful season.

Because Leeds would have been relegated.