: Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:21 am  

Bluey out!

: Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:51 am  

It'll be interesting to see how Bluey's coaching skills are viewed after 3 or 4 seasons, as I think it's far too early in his tenure to judge him. He has IMHO, got off to a pretty decent start, with the team playing some of the best rugby seen at Headingley.

If injuries, and the consequent loss of matches are to be expected over a course of a season, surely, only the most paranoid of Rhinos believests would be criticizing the team or coach at this particular point in the Calendar?

The idea that any RL team goes into a match, happy in the knowledge that a supposedly pre planned slump and consequent loss of points is acceptable is hilarious.

Proof positive methinks, that sniffing glue and access to a keyboard is a bad mix.

Smith's overall record was impressive, and we thank him for that. However, in many minds he will always be remembered for the decsision to play a badly injured Senior at Cardiff in 2005. .

: Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:59 am  

I'm not sure anyone is suggesting that we are trying to have a pre-planned slump, more that we are trying to do less to win in an effort to save energy for when it really matters.

I'd agree that no team will take the field with the intention of losing (unless Sean Long says so of course........)

: Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:52 am  

BillyRhino wrote:

Smith's overall record was impressive, and we thank him for that. However, in many minds he will always be remembered for the decsision to play a badly injured Senior at Cardiff in 2005. .

After 2 titles from 3 grand finals in 4 years, winning the league by 9 points in 04, and a wcc those minds you refer to must have been sniffing that glue then.

: Sun Jul 06, 2008 12:59 pm  

BillyRhino wrote:

Smith's overall record was impressive, and we thank him for that. However, in many minds he will always be remembered for the decsision to play a badly injured Senior at Cardiff in 2005. .

You are kidding aren't you. The first title in 32 years and people will remember smith for that. Jeez

: Sun Jul 06, 2008 3:11 pm  

Eccleshill Rhino wrote:

As one of Smith's stearnest critics and as Gareth has already raised this point to me before I suppose a response is in order.

Smith started to get some stick following the CC final of 2005 - he let his own personal issues with certain players get in the way of the collective. He had deprived a senior player of a once in a lifetime opportunity simply because he had the balls to stand up to him over the coach's treatment of the players in Perpignan. He was prepared to destroy any chance the team had of winning to show who was boss? such a big man!!

The team then went into a tailspin of form for two years - 2006 was dire and the team's form only picked up when it was announced Smith was on his way - read into that what you will.

So Smith duly got the stick he deserved IMO.

As for McClennan - unlike Smith - he is on a massive learning curve - this is the first time he has coached full time. He has inherited a squad that doesn't suit the way he wants to play and as such is making the best fist of the resources available. We are struggling down our right hand - McClennan has his three right centres all out injured.

Whilst on the injuries Smith never encountered anything like the number of injuries McClennan has suffered this season. Last night we had Toopi, Ablett, Gibson, Tansey, Kirke, Watkins and Scruton - four of which played in the GF - unavailable for selection next week you will be able to add Sinfield too - this has been the norm almost every week.

Final Gareth I know you hold Smith in very high regard - however one memory for you - this tells you much about Smith - his motivational approach and why he got the stick - I remember going to Odsal for a semi final against Huddersfield in 2006 - never have I seen a more abject performance in a game the really mattered - the play off game in the same season against Warrington ran it close.

I doubt you will ever see a team of McClennans put in performance lacking so much desire. Yes maybe under Smith Leeds might have won the game last night - but one is for sure they would never have won the game the previous week - why because Smith would not have had the balls to play the game - and for that alone McClennan get my continued support.

Well, you never give up do you ? Dont you get fed up or embarrassed about making a dipstick of yourself .... over & over again.

You did not like Smith - Smith could not care less about people like you Smith made a life for himself - you try to

Move on David .... & move so far on that we dont have to hear from you again ! Pathetic man

: Sun Jul 06, 2008 3:16 pm  

harigeorgeson wrote:

:roll: Well, you never give up do you ? Dont you get fed up or embarrassed about making a dipstick of yourself .... over & over again.

You did not like Smith - Smith could not care less about people like you Smith made a life for himself - you try to

Move on David .... & move so far on that we dont have to hear from you again ! Pathetic man

You soooooo fancy David, H.

: Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:53 pm  

batleyrhino wrote:

Do you know what? I'm not really bothered if it's perceived as hypocrisy because I know it's not meant as such. It's a genuine appreciation for where we are right now.

And where exactly are we right now? Hypocrisy is not really a matter of perception. It's a failure to apply the same standards evenly.

I have criticised Smith before, but at the time I felt it was deserved, still do to some degree, but I now realise that it is impossible to play at the top of one's form permanently.

Hang on. Are you saying the criticism Smith received during his similar slump last year was deserved despite him being ultimately proven right and proven able to do what you claim Bluey is trying to do, i.e. peak at the right time.

My opinion, and I'm just as entitled to one as you are, is that we are holding something back in the tank. Maybe we were doing that before, and I was less inclined to believe TS about it.

Of course you're entitled to your opinion. Just as I am entitled to challenge it when you post it on a public forum. You were less inclined to believe a coach with a proven track record of winning the championship than you are Bluey. Which goes exactly the the root of my thread. Why? Why has Bluey got so much more leeway than a coach who proved he could win a title?

: Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:54 pm  

BillyRhino wrote:

However, in many minds he will always be remembered for the decsision to play a badly injured Senior at Cardiff in 2005. .

Nah, I'll remember him for Old Trafford 2004,2007.

Still you're probably right which says more about Leeds fans than it does about Smith.

: Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:57 pm  

G1 wrote:

Nah, I'll remember him for Old Trafford 2004,2007.

Still you're probably right which says more about Leeds fans than it does about Smith.

agreed