Actually DG my post ain't rubbish and I did not say Smith and Leeming would have changed things. I did say that changes to the team disrupted the team.

Leeds and Wigan win things by playing simple rugby at high intensity when it matters. Our coaches tried to bring too clever. That is not good preparation, sportsmen and women in all sports need confidence, suddenly changing what was working brings doubt. Our team failed tonight, yet again when it really mattered they were found wanting.

Did Murphy, Wardle or Connor change the team. We went five weeks with the same team with a very big powerful pack and won each week, then we made changes and lost last week, panicked and picked as lightweight a pack as we could all to accommodate a fine player who has been injured or suspended all year and lost the game in the first 20 minutes while Ta'ai Lawrence and Crabtree sat on the bench.

Numerous players played poorly tonight - to avoid a repeat we must recognise why. We always play poorly when it really matters - that has to be preparation.

But you carry on kidding yourself.

How dare you come on this board at a time of panic and start spouting your common sense

A lot of posters are dwelling on the "when will we finally fulfill our potential and clear the hurdle of winning a major trophy".
Well, maybe this squad of players ARE fulfilling their potential and this IS as good as it will get. The Giants squad is not packed with superstars and relies on great team spirit and honest work ethic. Putting a good run of form together during the regular season dosn't either make you world beaters or win any trophies. I think your 5 match unbeaten streak gave some fans a false sense of confidence (bordering on cocky arrogance).
This is not an anti Giants rant, I wanted you to win last night and think Leeds wouldn't have fared any better at the DW last night.

Chunky I think you have a good point, was thinking myself have we under achieved or over achieved, and my opinion is that overall when it comes to the nitty gritty we are short. My big hope is that Ryan Hinchcliffe is going to make a big difference but whether we will be able to break the "monopoly" come trophy time is debatable. While I didn't think Wigan were great they knew how to control the game. I was disappointed that with 20 to go and needing a few scores we just continued 5 drives and a kick....we had nothing to lose at that point so thought we should have shown a bit of adventure.

I'm sorry but how many of those years did we go out on a good performance. Only one year can I think of out of that lot. Its not the results is the abject lacklustre displays we put in when opportunity presents itself. I've been watching for over 30 years win or lose you know when a team/ players play to their true ability, thats the disappointing thing more than anything. Where on earth did that performance come from? Certainly in the top 3 for the season.

Certainly hope Rapria and Hinchcliffe can bring some bite to this team when it matters.

The Rhinos supporters rightly says "I think your 5 match unbeaten streak gave some fans a false sense of confidence" we've not been anywhere near contenders all season really, save for 2-3 60min performances in the later stages. Certainly don't think theres been much cockiness though, Leeds have a monopoly on that one, albeit with good reason.

Hit the nail on the head, I was posting the above at the same time.

Yup.

And that makes it a club problem rather than a team problem.

This group of players haven't got the extra bite needed to get from 3rd to 1st.

Ryan Hinchcliffe is a massive signing for us, and I hope he'll bring the attitude. But even so, we're a few players short of winning the outright trophy.

And he won't change the small club attitude of the backroom staff.

In big games you need your "big hitters" to lead the way and once again yours went missing also when you hear JP talk he uses the words "fundamentals & 1%ers" on a regular basis that is something else you failed to do.
Wigan were worthy winners and outplayed their opposite numbers individually and collectively the writing was on the wall after 10 minutes.
I don't think you have the Coaching nous or individual/collective talent to up the gears or intensity when the big semi finals come around.

not to worry, they,ll all be down to the travel agents today, chockers, backroom staff jokers, just swap one "comfort zone" for another.

You are Fat Garry and I claim my £10 prize.

I'd have had the lazy buggers in for a 6.30 run!

Leeming was injured i believe?

but the only thing i would question PA over is bringing back Bailey and Ferres, bailey has been anonymous, although possiby understandable due to Leeming's injury? Ferres has done OK, but i can't help feel that it maybe affected momentum?

as for last night, it was typical fartown wasn't it? get the interest up, get the fans turned out, get expectation high and serve up utter dross like that.
i was down at the front at the end and i could see how hurt the players were and how reluctant they were to approach the fans in fear of being shouted down, but the fans were great, and supportive.

so we move on and we go again next year, and hopefully we can finally take that next step.