2014 The best Leeds team ever : Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:51 am  

...or just a sad reflection of the overall quality of SL?

I think most would agree the Leeds team has spluttered and misfired for quite a number of matches now.......and still we have not seen any real attacking structure as highlighted again last night - instead relying on individual skills and miracle plays (seems like quite a few seasons now that has been the case.)

However...Leeds are at the top of the league with I think/hope the best yest to come from this particular squad. Some good coaching would ensure a higher degree chance of success of course.

Fingers crossed with regards to Kevin Sinfield, as I still optimistically believe on this 'best is yet to come' basis that the club could yet get its hands on that elusive CC silverware.

Long may the paucity of good competition within SL remain for this season at least.

Re: 2014 The best Leeds team ever : Fri Jul 18, 2014 10:05 am  

Strange time to post this when you've just struggled to a draw at home to Cas and are only top because you've played a game more. I could understand it more if you'd just destroyed Cas and were tons of points clear.

Re: 2014 The best Leeds team ever : Fri Jul 18, 2014 10:11 am  

Bizarre thread title.

Re: 2014 The best Leeds team ever : Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:37 pm  

I assumed the title was in reference to the Season Ticket renewal packs that went out - inviting us to be part of 'the best Leeds team ever'.

For me this may be so, as I have only had a season ticket 2 years now - suspect for those of you that have been going longer, this 'blarb' will be bordering on being patronising to you!

Re: 2014 The best Leeds team ever : Fri Jul 18, 2014 3:57 pm  

One thing levelled against McDermott is how the players won the GF in spite of him and anybody could've coached them to those wins.

Well let's flip it and see what some players have just done for him in 2014.

Hardaker gets himself banned for 5 games and misses the narrow losses vs Hudds and Wakey that I think we probably win with him in the side. Sinfield gets sent off and costs the side a point last night and potentially banned for the CC semi.

So if 2 of McDermott's key players don't come up with dumb moments then we/he could be looking at a 5 point cushion at the top (which opens up the freedom to rest players more going into the playoffs) and it could cost us the CC chance as well.

For all the talk of McDermott being saved by his players in the past.....he's been let down by them recently with 2 silly mistakes in particular.

Re: 2014 The best Leeds team ever : Fri Jul 18, 2014 4:01 pm  

ThePrinter wrote:

One thing levelled against McDermott is how the players won the GF in spite of him and anybody could've coached them to those wins.

Well let's flip it and see what some players have just done for him in 2014.

Hardaker gets himself banned for 5 games and misses the narrow losses vs Hudds and Wakey that I think we probably win with him in the side. Sinfield gets sent off and costs the side a point last night and potentially banned for the CC semi.

So if 2 of McDermott's key players don't come up with dumb moments then we/he could be looking at a 5 point cushion at the top (which opens up the freedom to rest players more going into the playoffs) and it could cost us the CC chance as well.

For all the talk of McDermott being saved by his players in the past.....he's been let down by them recently with 2 silly mistakes in particular.

Good points but you could counter that the coach sets the environment and the discipline for his players and any major lapses are a reflection on him. I know he can't be in complete control of the actions of grown men, but that's still the counter-argument.

Re: 2014 The best Leeds team ever : Fri Jul 18, 2014 4:07 pm  

craigizzard wrote:

Good points but you could counter that the coach sets the environment and the discipline for his players and any major lapses are a reflection on him. I know he can't be in complete control of the actions of grown men, but that's still the counter-argument.

Granted and that's why I don't include moments like the Ablett kick to Monaghan's head and Peacock's Leigh incident as they're the types of incidents we see in most games and can happen easily. But these are experienced guys and he can't hold their hand out there and shouldn't really need to tell his players not to be shouting out "fu**ing fag" or getting into headbutting incidents, those two particular incidents were well beyond his reasonable control.

Re: 2014 The best Leeds team ever : Fri Jul 18, 2014 4:58 pm  

Not even close, not sure if serious thread.

If leeds had anything about them, they'd have top spot sewn up by now and they'd be resting on their summer hols, preparing for a few important games only, in the CC and then playoffs.

Sinfield should have kicked the 1 pointer at hudds when he hit the post, leeds should never have thrown away last nights game or lost at wakefield nor should they have been so incompetent in defence for 10 minutes against hudds at home.

Basically if they had been competent in certain situations, like a ''best ever team'' should, they'd be 5 or 6 points to the good and would be cruising to top spot, or at worst 2nd place, allowing them to manage the tough end of season period.

Re: 2014 The best Leeds team ever : Sat Jul 19, 2014 2:26 am  

Saddened! wrote:

Strange time to post this when you've just struggled to a draw at home to Cas and are only top because you've played a game more. I could understand it more if you'd just destroyed Cas and were tons of points clear.

Wow we've not seen you since 2009 what kept yer?

Re: 2014 The best Leeds team ever : Sat Jul 19, 2014 2:26 pm  

ThePrinter wrote:

One thing levelled against McDermott is how the players won the GF in spite of him and anybody could've coached them to those wins.

Well let's flip it and see what some players have just done for him in 2014.

Hardaker gets himself banned for 5 games and misses the narrow losses vs Hudds and Wakey that I think we probably win with him in the side. Sinfield gets sent off and costs the side a point last night and potentially banned for the CC semi.

So if 2 of McDermott's key players don't come up with dumb moments then we/he could be looking at a 5 point cushion at the top (which opens up the freedom to rest players more going into the playoffs) and it could cost us the CC chance as well.

For all the talk of McDermott being saved by his players in the past.....he's been let down by them recently with 2 silly mistakes in particular.

You can add the brain fart pass back to Peacock for the potential match winning drop goal attempt.