right couple of things Jones will have been given pointers from mcdermmott whilst down after been in charge of such an illustrious academy as leeds no? be a travesty if he just kept stum.
Convenient that whilst he was there and afterwards that players actually started to be given a chance - not just the london boys but he was loaning and playing youngsters - the like of bjb for instance. It was mcdermott that changed the culture of playing all australians at the club (enforced or not he managed to make them competitive).
I would not point at any particuliar player and say the coach is responsible for his success, as there talent and attitude dictate that.

Before 2010 wakefield had never beaten us at wakefield, in super league. We've won both our games at castleford under mcdermott.

Leeds being inconsistent but good enough to be in the top half is hardly something new under mcdermott. Bar 2004 and 2009 it's happened throughout super league and a good 20 years before that. Leeds have very rarely been the most consistent team. In recent times they've gained the ability to win when it matters and hence they have racked up some super league titles.

But those title shouldn't give people the illusion leeds have been some relentless machine that is program to win week in week out. In all those seasons from 2007 to present they showed poor performance and inconsistency. In 2008 they were totally thrashed by saints just a few weeks before the grand final. In 2009 they lost to salford at home.

It's just more apparent because other teams, such as wigan and warrington are much more consistent.

Leeds took a quantum leap under Smith. A great coach who improves the skills of the individual players no end. The title teams of 2004 and 2007 saw significant changes in personell.

On McDermott, can't decide. Many of his decisions and comments frustrate me but can't ague with results. He's taken to Leeds to every final sicnce taking charge.

A number of Leeds fans still believe that Leeds would have won the 2004 Championship if Powell had stayed. Completely bonkers.

Irrespective of how good a coach McDermott is, professional sport is a results driven business. When people look back, they will just see silverware on his CV.