Thats why I never criticise any of our players from the stands or from behind a keyboard. They are all human beings. We dont know what they are going through in real life. I dont believe any of our players go out to play bad. I believe they all try - but they dont all succeed.
We should sticky the above and read it before we slate ANY of our players.

I recall reading a piece a few years ago about a certain former coast at the bulls who use philosophy , and he used to say to certain players after games if they hadn't performed to well that it wasn't their fault they had not had a good game, it was his fault for picking them,

Well, the buck stops there, I guess!

Ultimately I think the coach has the call, and he can see when someone is not having a good one, I do feel very sorry Leon because he wanted to end his glittering career with the team who made him, let's hope everything goes well for him in the future, and he can come back into rugby at some level to pass his experience on

To be honest in the pre-season games we could see how he handled himself. Shouting at really young players instead of encouraging them, then when the season started standing away from his team when the opposition scored etc. And the fans were right to be annoyed at that behaviour. I for one was really annoyed at this, it's one of the things that stuck out for me early season. So for me the criticism was justified.

However I don't agree with the booing his bad performances. He still ended up putting people through gaps and gave us a little bit of structure. Plus playing with the injury too make him look a little slow and cautious. He kept the nucleus of the team together in the off season and is still one of the best players the Bradford Bulls have produced. I'd go as far as saying he's a club legend. Just gutted we didn't see him score a final try for the Bulls.

I do hope he gets through his mental issues and feelings that have affected him since retiring. It must be hard to go from this routine for 20+ years and then all of a sudden it's gone. And I hope he finds his way back into the sport, either as a first team coach or a halfbacks coach.

Been thinking about this booing malarkey. If I recall correctly he wasn't booed because his performance was poor. His lack of mobility allowed a try and the coaching staff tried to replace him. He had none of it and went to the stand side where ten minutes later his lack of mobility let in another try.

No one can question his commitment to the cause but at that moment there was a lot of pressure to win and he appeared, unwittingly or not, to put himself above the club by not coming off. I got the feeling that was the reason for the booing?

Still inexcusable to boo him off the field, even if it was a minority of idiots.

I don't think Leon got booed, it was more cheering he had been subbed. However it was still disappointing and not on. I thought Leon's performances were very good up til that point (some fans want miracles) I felt we badly missed Leon's experience in our winless rut, which ultimately sent us down. We needed that calming influence behind the attacking line which Leon did brilliantly IMO

Agreed. He played a big part in the wins in the early part of the season but it was clear he was physically struggling at times. We just didn't have the squad depth to give him enough of a breather. As you say we missed his experience later on.

Correct!! glad someone else is seeing this for what it is....

I'd probably have to agree with this. But also the way he stood away from his team under the sticks and berated the likes of Ryan when a try went in and yet he cost a fair few himself.

I'm sure that most of this was borne out of the frustration of not being able to perform at a standard he had set himself

Didn't want to start a new thread, but League Express are reporting that Leon is the new Workington Town head coach.

Edit: Workington now confirmed it.

Just had a look at his website. Has set himself up as a motivational speaker. States that his current role as a Business Development Manager with Bradford Bulls gives him a unique standing as a keynote speaker at corporate and business events in Bradford, Leeds and the wider Yorkshire area. Maybe will be including Cumbria in the future.