Put at its simplest, Leeds have not been able to replace the game management of Sinfield or the grit of Peacock. They are a just an empty shell at the moment. McGuire is proving that being there the longest doesn't make you a good leader. He was flapping his arms and whining all game.

Great post - I think this is what DP was alluding to in his article a few weeks back about the national game. The Australians have cornered the market on percentage rugby, whereas we were always a bit more maverick. The 90's brought a real influx of Aussie players & coaches/coaching methods which resulted in us playing an inferior brand of Australian rugby. I can't stand watching England at the minute; too slow, too robotic, to predictable & not enough pace, flair & risk in our game. It's time we reverted back to what we are good at & I'd rather us go down in a blaze of glory than go meekly into the night.
I can't spake for all Cas fans, but I was brought up on 'classy cas' watching exciting, entertaining Cas sides that backed their ability & didn't play percentage rugby; ok we might not have won the things we could or should have, but I've had a great time & have been royally entertained. DP really has tapped into this inherent desire of Cas fans to entertain & I can honestly say I've never been so happy to be so wrong about an appointment!

Disagree with you there.
I think that the coaching of DP is absolutely the reason that you are doing so well.
He, along with your other coaching staff are bringing the best out of the players that you have.
Hardaker, who wanted away from Leeds and was in very poor form has clearly found his mojo again.
I would put that down to the people around him and not down to the player himself.
Of course, the player needs to want to improve and I believe that Powell is very, very good at challenging his players to do certain things.
Springer was an average forward down at London but, he is quickly becoming a very good prop forward and then you have a whole raft of "homegrown" players.
Were they top players when they arrived or, have they been moulded and shaped into what Powell wants them to be.

So, yes, you have some decent players but, maybe they wouldn't walk into another top 4 side.

I think that you need to keep hold of your coach.

After last night, it may not be too long before Leeds or England come knocking.

Why would Powell want to go back to Leeds wrencat?
Been there and got shat on.
Powell has Hardaker making the extra man at every possible opportunity, it's good old fashioned RL.
As much as Cas are not my favourite team, I'd take them being successful over Leeds any day of the week.
Long may the mediocrity of the Rhinos continue.

Sad news about Steve Gill, I'm sure I talk for all wakey fans in wishing him a speedy recovery.

Get real chissit we could field our entire squad and much as enjoy the demise of the rhinos, on last nights display cas would have murdered us

Not sure why you've brought me into this squire, unless your confusing us with someone who actually gives a toss about anything Cas or Leeds.
I would have thought that anyone as an experienced coach as you would have realised you can only pick 17 players' for any one game, which means every other player in the squad is surplus to requirements for that game, a mere oversight on your part I'm sure
Btw there's 2 T's in chissitt.

Yes wishing Steve Gill a speedy recovery.

Being the victim of an assault is an awful thing to go through. Not just the physical side of things but mental side too.

I was the victim of an assault in 1998 and had my jaw broke in 3 places.

Still see the person that did it and every time I do see him makes my blood boil.

Being able to see a good player before anyone else is not a coaching skill.
I always liked the look of my mcshane at leeds,Springer at Catalan and I've never coache'd in my life,he's young and progressing every year just like he would under any decent coach.
You mention Powell is responsible for sprinkling dust on every player?
Roberts-Was an NRL player who had played a he'll of a lot of matches.
Millington-Been playing like that since the first day he came.
Moors-Same as milo
Shenton-was already a proven player before Powell came along
Hardaker-Had a bad spell last year but any club would be mad to pass this player by

Roberts,Millington, Moors,Shenton,Hardaker, would on what I've seen of SL this year would walk straight in a top 4 club and Powell would not be responsible from his magic touch ...Although as an example in Hardaker and his inability to pass a ball at Leeds has been rectified by the coaching staff,like the majority of half decent coaches would employ.
So let's cut the crap that The God like Powell is responsible for all eh?

I agree with the players you name (although Shenton is one of those players that stands out in a good teambut when the going gets tough his head is the first to drop) but DP has certainly brought the best out of the remainder of your squad. The players want to play for him and he encourages good rugby.

The question is would those players be as well thought of and performing at the same level if they were at Widnes or Salford and if the answer is no, then you have to credit the coach.
Coaching at the top level is as much to do with man management as improving skills and creating the environment where all of the group can perform as close to the top iof their personal ability is key.
Add to that a decent game plan and som good attacking and defensive structures and "bingo", you have a top team.

Of course all players have ability.
Some work hard to improve and others seem to be born with something extra but, its all about performing within the team.
You will remember how poor Cas were before Powell came along and many of your squad were playing under that regime.
Why/how did they suddenly improve ?

This is the first time I've seen a fan discredit their coach and suggest that all the good things his team does is down to the players, and not coaching; bizarre!

It's clearly to anyone with half a RL brain that Powell has a particular skill of creating a team that is significantly more than the sum of its parts. Some of the players that are being lauded at Cas under his regime, were bit part players in much lower performing teams - and surely he has to take some credit for that?

Either way - he's created a Cas team that plays some of the most entertaining and skillful RL I've seen in SL in a long time; Leeds were indeed gash the other night, but Cas would have beaten anyone with that display. Lovely stuff - if somewhat galling.

Why bring name into it - you want to cheer your beloved Cas on knock yourself out - personally I'm not that interested in them I like watching Trinity - you should try it.

I don't have an intense hatred of Cas, you on the other hand.

You flatter yourself and your club, other than derby days I don't give a fig - clearly you do, bit of a chip on the shoulder imho.

If you read my earlier post I said Powell takes some credit,so get your facts right and try reading earlier post before jumping to conclusions half brain. .

Half a dozen players in the cas team would be performing to their standard for any coach in super league if they had been working with them as long as Powell has...That was my point.