Re: Dead wood out?! : Tue Aug 28, 2012 9:23 am  

Ferdy wrote:

The back 3 in the pack are an issue for me, it's nots the worst in the world But they for me are all similar workman like, could do with some line breaking ability back there.

As for Saturday JP was the best forward for leeds

Agree 100%. Our pack just looked feeble against the Wolves. I wouldn't swap our backs for any other club's 3/4 line, but we need the platform only a dominant pack can provide.

Re: Dead wood out?! : Tue Aug 28, 2012 9:34 am  

Juan Cornetto wrote:

Just remind me of your rugby coaching and team management experience by the way?

And yours?

You feel entitled to post your assessment of Bailey, which is contradicting by those with coaching experience who continue to select him.

Re: Dead wood out?! : Tue Aug 28, 2012 9:48 am  

Dita's Slot Meter wrote:

I don't want to open up the whole play-offs debate again, but I think if you are honest, last year's GF win, while it was a great acheivement after such a mediocre league campaign, only served to hide the problems that you obviously had, and still have.

It wouldn't be far fetched to say that, for the last 3 seasons, you have been a fair way behind both Wigan and Wire, its just that you have a small core of a side which occasionally can raise their game and match any side around.

I wouldn't go as far as to have a huge clear out....As I say, you have a very talented core in Sinfield, Burrow and McGuire, and have a number of able and talented players, but you do have a small number who seem to be carried along (Bailey and Ablett would be the most obvious two who could be replaced by better on similar salaries).

Also, and I know he already has his detractors among your fans, Brian McDermott's position must also be questioned....Being a Wire fan, I've seen first hand just how much of a difference a coach can make - I think nearly all Wire fans can now see the folly of keeping Paul Cullen for the length of time we did (similarly, the madness of replacing him with Lowes).

I sense a similar thing with McDermott, in that he fails to get the best out of what he has at his disposal.....I honestly think if you had the same sides, but swapped the coaches around on Saturday, then Leeds would now be celebrating a win.

Well said.

Re: Dead wood out?! : Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:30 pm  

Juan Cornetto wrote:

I am sure the coach of the current SL Champions and World Club Champions and twice running Cup Finalists will be waiting with baited breath to pick up some more of your 'rugby acumen' in your next posting.

Just remind me of your rugby coaching and team management experience by the way?

Did I say I'd be dropping Mr Hetherington a line?

No, I'll leave that to the 'experts' on here.

Fans moaning about coaches whatever next, coaches moaning about referees?

Re: Dead wood out?! : Tue Aug 28, 2012 5:31 pm  

I think GH's interview from today's yep is spot on. Having just watched the game again I don think we were as bad as I thought on the day at game.

He also says that Webb is the only departure this season so I doubt there will be much change for next season.

Re: Dead wood out?! : Tue Aug 28, 2012 6:37 pm  

G1 wrote:

And yours?.

I have a junior coaching qualification and coached for 9 years including caoching the winners of a junior age group Yorkshire Cup. I was Junior Chairman of a club with a large junior section for 6 years and Director of Rugby for a semi pro National League side for 3 years competing successfully with sides that had far bigger budgets to pay players. I have also served my time talent scouting on some of the unfashionable touch lines in the North on England. I have also been a student of the wonderful game of Rugby League (and Leeds supporter) for almost 54 years. None of this means my opinions are right but at least I have some sort of rugby grounding and pedigree.

... and you?

G1 wrote:

You feel entitled to post your assessment of Bailey, which is contradicting by those with coaching experience who continue to select him.

How do you know my assessment of Bailey is contradictory to those that have coached him? I have valued him as a very useful squad member who has spent much of his time on the bench. The Cap system means that Clubs hire a range of skills at various costs. Bailey IMO has never been a top line class prop because a limitations to his skill set. However he does have a value to the squad (more than likely at a reasonable cost) and coaches have to get a balance within their budget.

My comments regarding Ryan are to counter balance the somewhat hysterical and fictional stuff that is posted by the mutual back slappers club members.

Re: Dead wood out?! : Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:31 pm  

AL Rhino wrote:

I think GH's interview from today's yep is spot on. Having just watched the game again I don think we were as bad as I thought on the day at game.

He also says that Webb is the only departure this season so I doubt there will be much change for next season.

if theres no change then i can see us struggling for a top 6 finish.

Re: Dead wood out?! : Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:07 pm  

tad rhino wrote:

if theres no change then i can see us struggling for a top 6 finish.

That would depend on at least 2 SL teams improving next season and by some considerable margin compared to where they are this season. Which two teams do you think they might be?

Re: Dead wood out?! : Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:47 pm  

Juan Cornetto wrote:

I have valued him as a very useful squad member

Squad member as in part of the 1st choice match day seventeen selected to play on any given week or squad as in players 18 to 25 who cover and fill in as required?

Juan Cornetto wrote:

who has spent much of his time on the bench.

All modern day props, since the advent of four substitutions, will also expect to spend much of their time on the bench. Leuluai for example starts a higher percentage of matches but I would hazard a guess that the prop who replaces him will spend more minutes on the field.

Re: Dead wood out?! : Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:47 pm  

Anybody who watched that game and didn't see we were beaten by a far better side for almost the entire game has rose-tinted specs on. Even if the 'only' problem was 10 minutes, boy what a dreadful 10 minutes it was from us.

Bill is correct about our finishing league position - 5th will be a canter unless somebody improves a lot on this year.