What can you say - a real car crash of a performance, surely a one off.

The disappointing aspect were the performances of the senior/experienced players: McGuire, Peacock, Sinfield, Kylie, Cuthbertson and Briscoe all had shocking games. Peacock especially looked like his body/mind had said enough is enough even the simple tasks looked beyond him. McGuire struggled in the first half to pass a ball to anyone - he was better in the second half. Briscoe - the lad looked anything but world class against a rookie winger with a bit of pace. The moment for me that typified this whole episode was Sinfield's turning his back on Lima 5 metres out - surely that is mental fatigue? He hardly contributed in the second half - apart from looking at Sigismeau as ran past him. He didn't improve the last play options when he reverted to his controlling role. Kylie - what is the point anymore? Cuthbertson looks half the player he did earlier in the season, teams have worked him out and he doesn't appear to have other options to counter that. As for Achurch - hopefully he will not play for Leeds again. Spineless effort when his team mates needed him to stand up and be counted.

Even in this there were some positives: Ward was immense, he should be in the England squad for the NZ tests. Singleton worked very hard in a pack that was completely overrun. Lilley looked good - some nice touches and he sped the ruck up from the pedestrian pace that Sinfield provides.

McDermott needs to have a serious think about the structure he needs if he doesn't want the season to finish like last year. Playing with one half back doesn't work and Sinfield's leadership disappears in a role he is not equipped or suited to. Lilley/Burrow at nine, Sinfield back at 6 and hopefully that will sort the structure. Hopefully McDermott will be having some serious words with the senior players - their attitude, desire and application were poor last night.

Some praise must go to Catalans who were superb - in Inu they have a world class player who basically bullied every Leeds player that came into contact with him. Carney showed he is the best half back in the competition by a mile his passing technique is something, the flick pass behind his back for Sigismeau's try was sublime. Sigismeau looks a talent - the Brian Habana of SL. Catalans have suffered more than most from injuries to key players - pity as they would have been a force this season.

Onwards and upwards - hopefully this will be the shock the team needs, Cas should be an winnable game and a confidence booster going into the business end of the season. I don't think they will finish top but I do think they will the GF.

I'd like to think that with the cushion we'd built up before wembley we have dipped the intensity for a couple of weeks. We know it's hard to be at our best every week. Hopefully we will build up our intensity starting on Thursday.

As for the performance, it was woeful. When peacock and Sinfield are making school boy errors you know something isn't right.

I agree with everything Sal has said there, but I do think their were more on the awful list. Only the three positives he mentioned can be regarded above poor.

Hardaker was brilliant in defence, and absolutely woeful in attack. Moon had some good moments, and some shocking moments. Ablett was out of position continuously leaving gaps around. Delaney was continuously plodding.

However, I would add that when he had the ball, I though Garbutt put in a shift, but just like the rest he also looked fatigued far too easily.

I agree. I might get slated for saying this, but I don't think we've played well in the league since we lost Aiton and started playing the Sinfield/Cuthbertson hooker/first receiver roles. We've played OK and had some good results but not played anything like the rugby when Aiton was in. It's been too direct and not expansive enough to see us be the same threat we were and it's reduced Cuthbertson's offload game which we all know helped shape or attack this year.

I think sinfield and McGuire need to pay together in the halves for the 80 and give some one else the dummy half role. While burrow is out rotate Lilley and robbie ward there, when he's back, start him! Just make sure you play a prop at loose to cover in defense. I think we're more affective with sinfield and McGuire together in the halves with some one else dummy half than sinfield there and just one half-all last play decisions going through McGuire.

I know some posters have said league leaders isn't important. But with 100k prize money available and the fact we've lead the way nearly all year and deserve it for playing such good rugby I think these next tames are must win.

Come on Leeds- we can do it!

Forgot about Garbutt - I agree with your point he did work hard.

All those who castigated Golding for not stopping a Saints try last week should look at Hardaker's effort on Carney - it isn't that easy and Hardaker is as good as it gets in that situation. It would been 60 if it were not for his defence. His passing is woeful for a professional player though.

A tired and jaded team, not helped with the fact due to injuries we took to the field without a recognised hooker. Plus only one half back, I am not certain what category sinfield comes under.
Our ruck speed was once again woefully slow and telegraphed. It's very rare to see a rhinos team bullied but that's what happened last night.
The worst moment last night was Achurch, kicking the ball with only one defender to beat.
Let's hope last night was a temporary blip and not the start of things to come.
At the moment the other three teams won't be fearful of coming to us.

How he got place on the sub's bench at Wembley ahead of Keinhorst still bemuses me.

One of the worst overseas signings made by Leeds.

If ever the phrase 'looks like Tarzan plays like Jane' was applicable.....

Bit harsh to pin so much of the blame on Achurch. Didn't think he was more outstandingly crap than at least half a dozen others.

The fact that Catalans didn't even bother with their usual sh)thouse tactics shows how easily they dominated our pack.

Short turnaround for the cas game too after two bad defeats .

Burrow and Lilley should be the hooker and bench hooker vs Cas with Sinny back in the halves with McGuire.

Our forwards look knackered and the short turn around / Walters on the bench doesn't help that.

Lets hope Watkins is back so Ablett can go back to the SR (I'd rest him if we had jjb available) and get Cuthbertson back at LF and Delaney on the bench .

I think we can best Cas and Hudds but we now need two good wins and to hope Wigan lose vs saints or don't have a big win to effect the points difference any further .

This could turn out to be a good thing.You don't want too long to dwell on a performance like that and i'm sure the players will be really keen to put it behind them as a one off blip.What better way than against your local rivals at home infront of what should be a good crowd. Good for us Cas are out of the running now too, if we can start well and get an early score or two, its doubtful they will have the desire to up the intensity to get in the arm wrestle so hopefully a big win is on the cards. Then we should have a longer turnaround for the Hudds. game the following week if it turns out to be a decider for the hub cap. Time to stay positive guys

Normally yes, but given how knackered the players looked ,especially the forwards it's quite worrying.

We need a strong win and recapture form ahead of the play offs instead of being able to guarantee LLS early and then rest players for the Huddersfield game.

One of the worst performances of the last 2-3 years and there has been some real rubbish in that time period. Needs to be confined to history and on to next week.
What cannot be ignored is the fact that Achurch has yet again put in a performance that was inept and devoid of back bone. His time is now up as a Leeds player and he should be nowhere near putting on a shirt in 2016. What ever you have to do Gary get rid.

I agree regarding Achurch, never been a fan. The rare performances this year have all be poor to rubbish . Waste of a quota spot

No but the others have put previous performances of quality - I can't remember Achurch doing that. For me his time is up at Leeds rather invest the time in a youngster

I must confess I have always defended Achurch as being a decent promising wide running second rower (and it was partly McDermott's fault for insisiting on using him as a rotation prop).....but that bluddy awful peformance culminating in kicking when having only Escare (sp) to beat has brought me over to the 'get rid' camp. If I was Keinhorst I'd be feeling decidely pished off at losing my deserved Wembley bench spot to Achurch.

Overall - as many of said already - a dreadfully lazy display from most of the team. Catlans were very good and I wish we had Carney in our ranks (brilliant passing skills), but the capitulation was shocking.
Why did Hardaker not gun for the line too with his chance? Instead he threw out what must have been the worst pass of the night.

It was almost as this was the week after wembley (at least against Saints there was a fight).

Keeping up the intensity match after match is a tough ask (and there is some consolation that both Saints and Wigan were hardly convincing in their matches this week) so on a positive finish I guess we have to recognise that and trust that this indeed was the trough and we are building again to the finale !!!!