We looked leaden tonight. Slow and lacking in both options and ideas. Saints deserved the win and may well have turned their super 8s around off the back of that win. We showed how a few key injuries can completely disrupt a good side.

No great concerns, Saints were always going to up for it. Leeds did ok in the circumstances and were on the duff end of several poor calls. If it means Saints finish 3rd then that'll do me fine (assuming we're top of course!)

Thought Golding did pretty well and Garbutt by far the best forward. As many have said having just one half back can only work for so long and it's time for a rethink. Sinfield is the best dummy half available. but it is leaving too big a gaping hole in midfield...especially on the (last tackle) kicking game.

McGuire had a very quiet game and it does highlight how much we'll miss the good captain we have become perhaps complacent about. Sinfield (and Peacock) will be really missed in this department.



Either give R.Ward at hooker...or if he's not considered good enough then I guess we'll have to run with Burrow - with all the problems that brings ??!!?



I did state (as did others) losing Aiton will be more of a loss than many realise: winning the treble looks more and more a less likely outcome. Lose Sinfield to injury and it will be the end of that dream.



I'm not complaining: if Leeds win the league leaders I will be more than satisfied with the efforts this season and the willingness to play attractive footy.. I have enjoyed watching the team very much, but we should now start to lower our expectations I think.



Saint Helens looked a different side too let's not forget: it looks like Walsh is back to his best and Walmsley is one perhaps Leeds should have made a better effort to sign up: he is a fabulous forward. Wilkin makes a huge difference to them too.

The 'play Cuthbertson at hooker' gag only works when you've got players like Watkins and Hardaker in the backline to give you options. We didn't have that tonight, were playing a one-up game and without a proper hooker at no chance.



Garbutt as mentioned, was excellent.



Cuthbertson & JP looked shot and in need of a rest, Cutho in particular.



Achurch went well and should have got more minutes.



Golding was (as always) utter gash. Can't defend, can't position himself, can't link into the line, can't beat a man. Get rid asap, he's clearly never going to make it in SL which is why even the 19s prefer Handley at FB to him. The worst player to wear a Rhinos shirt since George Elliott, and that is saying something.



Hopefully all three absentees will be back for next weekend. If not, Robbie Ward needs to play, he is at least an out-and-out hooker and for the complaints about his performance at Hull he's gone well in the past.



Meantime someone needs to remind Magsy that when you've got two of the best aerial wingers in the comp you should occasionally try putting the ball in the air. Every effing time we got near their line we ran it down the short side, despite Briscoe (and more usually Hally) screaming for it on the far side.



Looking at the catalans trip next weekend I'd be going:



1. Hardaker / 27. Handley

2. Briscoe

3. Watkins / 20. Keinhorst

4. Moon

5. Hall

13. Sinfield

6. McGuire

8. Leuluai

24. R Ward

10. Peacock

12. Ablett

14. S Ward

15. Delaney



7. Burrow / 17. Cuthbertson

16. Achurch

19. Singleton

30. Garbutt

Golding did ok for his experience, he picked up some ty balls and worked it back.......Delaney for me was biggest let down today, maybe the injury had an effect but either a big off game or not fit all round.



Ward and Garbutt were strong, back line was dis-jointed but not enough clean ball, easy to read for Saints.

What?





He's no Hardaker, obviously, but he did about as well as could be expected tonight.

Very harsh on Golding - perhaps if the senior players hadn't have made the errors they did his job would have been easier?

Ablett for me the biggest dissapointment, like watching a young kid in a kids match. World class players outside him, but constantly holds onto the ball, believing he can beat them on his own. Very frustrating player this year, and that match what he has been like most of the year.

Maybe if Golding could catch the ing ball or tackle a man, we wouldn't have done six repeat sets.

The first try typifies his efforts all year - simply way off the pace - he made no effort despite being the nearest man to effect a tackle.

He caught pretty much every kick, and made a good one on one tackle on Swift. He lacked upper body strength to stop the Jones, and Walsh trys, but it's hardly surprising, the kids 18!

Perhaps if a senior player had done his job Golding would not have been called into action for the Walsh try - the Jones try was debatable I think he did all he could - I don't the Hardaker would have done any better given the build up.



What he doesn't offer is the strike power Hardaker does in attack.