Re: The SHAMEFUL Treatment of Brian McDermott : Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:45 pm  

If Wakefield turn us over next Monday, I dont for one minute think the crowd will be cheering the lads on! - Do you?

Re: The SHAMEFUL Treatment of Brian McDermott : Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:14 pm  

FFS.....who let Damo log in under this new user name?

Re: The SHAMEFUL Treatment of Brian McDermott : Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:53 pm  

rhinowinorlose wrote:

- tvoc - I've been waiting for someone to mention London!!

London's record under McDermott is indicative of the direction he took them over the course of just over four full seasons and that's a longer spell in charge than any coach has been given at Headingley during the SL Era. Despite what you've said London have charted fairly respectable finishes despite the 'mercenaries' they've recruited during the SL Era prior to Brian McDermott's contribution: 4, 2, 7, 8, 11, 6, 8, 5, 10, 6 - a couple of above average finishes, a couple of below average finishes but overall pretty consistently somewhere in the mid-pack.

McDermott presided over a steady slide down the rankings except for the season they briefly stood still: 7, 9, 9, 11, 13 - Powell at least started to reverse the trend with the 12th placed finish last season although whether that will continue this year remains to be seen.

It's a personal trend McDermott is currently extending at what is one of the supposed have clubs. Can he turn it around? Can a club like Leeds take that chance or even afford to wait and see?

I'd highlight a Regular Round form-line through the clubs Leeds should be judged against, which over this latest switch-coach period have been Wigan, Warrington and St Helens.

2010 - Pl 6, Won 3, Drawn 0, Lost 3, Pts For 127, Pts Agst 161 (avg scr 21 - 27)

2011 - Pl 6, Won 0, Drawn 1, Lost 5, Pts For 108, Pts Agst 202 (avg scr 18 - 34)

2012 - Pl 6, Won 1, Drawn 0, Lost 5, Pts For 82, Pts Agst 202 (avg scr 14 - 34)

I'd say that amounts to a worrying record of diminishing returns as Leeds settle back amongst the teams making up the numbers. When Bradford started their slide they went 3, 5, 9, 10, 10 - Leeds have gone 1, 4, 5 and are looking like slipping lower still this season, is that the blueprint we should follow?

Re: The SHAMEFUL Treatment of Brian McDermott : Tue Jun 12, 2012 10:36 pm  

Had Tony Smith returned to Leeds in 2011 and coached the club to an identical 5th placed finish, a CC Final and the SL champions, then followed it up in 2012 with victory in the WCC, it would have been regarded by many on here as the second coming of the messiah.

Even 'Lenny the Kirkstaller' would have ditched Jesus for Smith.

McDermott stays IMO... he's earned it.

Re: The SHAMEFUL Treatment of Brian McDermott : Tue Jun 12, 2012 11:27 pm  

Keith Swiftcorn wrote:

Had Tony Smith returned to Leeds in 2011 and coached the club to an identical 5th placed finish, a CC Final and the SL champions, then followed it up in 2012 with victory in the WCC, it would have been regarded by many on here as the second coming of the messiah.

Even 'Lenny the Kirkstaller' would have ditched Jesus for Smith.

McDermott stays IMO... he's earned it.

I can see why you'd say that.

He certainly seems to have made you happier.

Re: The SHAMEFUL Treatment of Brian McDermott : Wed Jun 13, 2012 6:32 am  

Peacock's equal number of penalties given away to Webb's are I imagine more for sloppy technical offences in the many tackles he makes. Does 'Brian' really think that Webb's "agressiveness" in the form of petulant back chat makes up for agressiveness in the forwards ?

Re: The SHAMEFUL Treatment of Brian McDermott : Wed Jun 13, 2012 7:12 am  

Exeter Rhino wrote:

By that logic why can't Lee Smith recapture his confidence and form from winning the Harry Sunderland trophy in 2008?

What are you talking about?

Re: The SHAMEFUL Treatment of Brian McDermott : Wed Jun 13, 2012 7:16 am  

craigizzard wrote:

I can see why you'd say that.

He certainly seems to have made you happier.

Re: The SHAMEFUL Treatment of Brian McDermott : Wed Jun 13, 2012 7:23 am  

Since someone pointed out that we were in a similar position last year (getting stuffed by Saints and Wire at this stage of the season by 40 odd points) I have thought well maybe the lads will turn it around again and win matches at the important end of the season. BUT, I still can't get away from the fact that if this is true then the club are expecting fans to pay good money to watch sub-standard performances up to July. How do Leeds expect fans to keep turning up week after week to watch a team playing 2nd rate rugby. Attendances will suffer, having a knock-on effect throughout the club.

Re: The SHAMEFUL Treatment of Brian McDermott : Wed Jun 13, 2012 7:25 am  

rhinowinorlose wrote:

DHM - thanks for the definition of a hooker. I agree, they should be strong and key defenders, but I wouldn't have classed Buderus as aggressive. McShane may have done OK against Manly but he's been found out on plenty of other occassions, so I have no problem with him being loaned out. I think we would be wrong to be playing Liam Hood every week immediately, countless players have come through too soon in our and other teams and been ruined; loaning him out to a Championship side will allow him to get used to playing against men, and give him some great experience so that hopefully, next season, he can play every week.

Of course Buderus was aggressive, he was on the front foot and made strong tackles infront of the gain line (you don't have to punch people to be aggrssive in rugby). Liam Hood is in his 20's, he's physically ready. Countless players have been brought into the team at this stage and have flourished - countless others have been loaned out recently and then disapeared.

And I'm glad you appreciate my definition of a hooker, anything to help Brian But I would also add, it you really want to play a half back at 9 then make him a big one like Roby or ...cough...Lowes.