I remember chatting to him at Quins after we had had a good start then fell away. He said the team had peaked too early in the season (Pre season trg was wrong) and you couldn’t maintain such levels of fitness etc

He has clearly learnt his lesson and adapted his plan to peak at certain times, which on paper has been masterful

Leeds being on the wrong end of results at Wakefield or Castleford is hardly a new phenomenon that is linked to Brian McDermott. Our records there have always been 'patchy' to say the least.

As mentioned above. This is a results driven businesses and the results are that, to date, Brian McDermott has got Leeds to every major final that he possibly could have - and he's won two of them.

Hard to fly with eagles when you have a team/budget for turkeys,

I suggest that all SL coaches and those in the NRL get their second rowers signed up on long term deals......this guy collects them!

I wish hetherington was weak willed and sacked brian like all these fans clamour for. The problem is not the coach - look at the rumoured in fighting some i have had confirmed which has happened with two previous coaches.

Couple of things amaze me about leeds - the team is built around local lads that played in the academy for years - but they stick together and that wins them some games as they fight to the death - that will not win games where tactical nous is needed,
Leeds feel they should be winning every game at a canter but with a salary cap and not improving squad massively (more just replacing players who are leaving.


Look at london - academy and london set up is easy even at a difference to see all the hours he put in. he was at leeds academy before and some of future players will know him and be close to him. If the players want to coach themselves then fair enough (slight arrogance) but Mcdermott knows the game is tough and uncompromising.

Tony smith - he should have had a title with what he has had at wire - he was right place right time with leeds.

Who do you propose is good enough or should be so honoured to work for leeds - you will not get a sheens, bellamy,hasler, etc

London academy has been in the hands of phil jones for over a decade HE is the man behind the youth not macdermott! As a coach i'll never know what he's like but my view is that the players perform in spite of him

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.