If we're talking about the coach then how about the guy that goes out and signs the players/controls what the team looks like on paper? How does he rate on this seasons performance?

If that is really the case, we need a new conditioning coach.

Most posters deemed this Leeds best ever squad before a ball was kicked so 10 out of 10 from them I suppose.

He's prolly on for a 11/10 this season then as he has gone out an improved the squads weakness in signing a 32 year old aussie, short stint prop with fecked up knees. Pulled off that coup by waiting until all the clubs had concluded their signings for the next term... the best of what's left and all that.

How quickly the blind faith in Hetherington evaporates after a trophyless season

Not all have blind faith in anything, some like to think for themselves. GH has made a few missteps and there's no reason he should be held less accountable than the players or the guy who coaches his squad.

We needed help scoring last season, we need help scoring next season. GH its over to you.

Exactly, and I didn't subscribe to the belief held by some that his decisions can't be questioned because he brought us the one of the most successful Leeds teams ever. For which, of course, I will be forever grateful.

It's just my perception but I reckon the view from the top changed somewhat following Wembley when GH was clearly extremely disappointed with the performance. We've had the (true until 2010) mantra that this side is special and would pull through when it counts. Wembley exposed Leeds' failings, as did Wigan in the last game of the season. It may have just accelerated the need to change things on the field with respect to managing the rejuvenation of the team - bringing forward to next season some changes that may have been planned for 2012.

TBH I don't really blame GH for that. We looked on paper to have a stronger squad than 2009. Most people believed we were in for another big year. As it it, I suspect that GH and Bluey realise that the side needs more than 1 or 2 fresh faces if we are to win something again soon - a more fundamental change to the way we play in both attack and defence.

Unbelievable fact number 558: Leeds scored more points in 2010 than in 2009.

Don't over-analyse it, just accept it.

I think it's way too harsh to compare any team to the 04 vintage simply because that was the year when everything clicked and we were just "untouchable" for the most of the season in SL.
I think that was a "one off" season performance wise and although we were close to emulating it in 05 i personally don't think it'd be fair to compare 1 single season to that one.

Hetherington has been in the game long enough, and wise enough, that he should have known before that Wembley game and the Wigan game that changes needed to be made.

It was smacking him right between the eyes.

I think everyone has overlooked the staggering & IMV totally unexpected improvement in Wigan in 2010.
I never imagined that a change of coach would or could produce such a change in the same set of players.
Other than that (& ignoring the extreme disappointment of the cup final) there was little to choose between the other top sides.
Injuries affected us & saints at critical times in the season.
I'll never forget too that without Hetherington (with Caddick's backing) we may not have had a club even to discuss.