One of those odd occasions where you wish that we hadn't tackled Riley(?) as then it could have been referred to the video referee.

I thought that as he running through. I've also thought that in the past and been completely wrong (only occasionally mind) with what I thought I saw.



I guess you just have to accept that referees make human errors. I thought Silverwood had a great game overall FWIW

Why would they be, Leeds were clearly the underdogs going in to the game.







I thought exactly that when McGuire scored in the WCC earlier this season. Turned out I was wrong and he was onside on that occasion.

Not going to add too much to what's been said, but the two moments that summed up what's going wrong for me at the moment were kicks in the second half. Both were 6th tackle plays, and both were aimless. One was high kick from Sinny, which no Leeds player got anywhere near attacking, and the other was one that I think was meant to be a grubber from Disko near the Wire line, and wnet straight into the arms of a Wire defender. Most of the season, our last tackle plays have been woeful. When we get near the opposition line, we rarely force a repeat set, more often than not we turn over possesion meakly. We need more tactical nouse.



I don't understand where it's gone. Our last two GF wins were composed of almost flawless tactical play.

Leeds were very poor. We played defensively about the same standard against Sts in the semi, who managed to score 28 points against us without a proper halfback. I suspect that win again papered over some cracks in too many minds, as did the recent wins against poor opposition.



Whilst we missed Peacock and Ali, Warington were very well drilled and Smith had a gameplan that worked to perfection. Leeds OTOH looked to be completely clueless at times, and the most worrying thing ought to be the defence. Leeds have looked on both attack and defence to be almost completely uncoached at times this year - and under stress in a big game that showed.



What is abundantly obvious is that Bluey and the senior players need to rethink the way they approach the season. They need to remember that its hard work and trying to get into form consistently that has enabled them to win titles, not winging it for most of the year and hoping that because they are a great team it will all work out on the day.



If we drop out of the play offs early I suspect there will be a lot of soul searching at the club, because these players can and should do better, and I doubt they'll want to see the memory of their fantastic efforts over the past few years be tarnished.

Agree about Silverwood. It was over 20 minutes before the first penalty.

I think all the major sides have improved their squads for next season, Leeds have stood still gone backwards. I fail to see how we are going to compete with stronger sides next year that we have struggled against this year?



Peacock apart we struggle to make ground and that really showed on Saturday. Add to that the lack of pace - a situation that can only get worse as the players get a year older.



On injuries most of the top sides have had similar issues that Leeds have had and that should not mask what has been a pretty turgid year.



I wonder if the relationship between McClennan and the players is not what was - there just seems and under current? I would suspect McDermott coming could be an indication that McClennan may not see out his year's extension.

I won £30 from a 50p bet of a Leeds knock-on within 10 second....who'd have thought it eh!!!!

After suffering a traumatic loss, it is very easy to see the situation as being far worse than it actually is. The lack of go forward is a worry but, we would have struggled without JP and Ali last year or the year before for that matter.



I don't think we lack pace either, with the exception of Atkin's second try which came on the break, everything came from relatively close range and defenders were near to the attacking player. Perhaps Keith has lost a yard but, if Watkins comes through, that situation will improve.



If Saturday is the only indicator, on that basis St Helens should have given up the ghost after the 2007 Grand Final.

What have St Helens won since 2007?



The lack of pace is more to do with the attack - we used to be able to go round sides now we can't.



Watkins is a huge gamble he may not be the player he was following his surgery the same goes for Peacock

I assume you are being obtuse. Surely you've read some of the posts from the Stains fans on here?



2008 CC Final perhaps? 2008 Hub Cap? 2008 Grand Finalists? 2009 Grad Finalists? Not exactly singing out "decline and failure", is it?



We either lack pace or we don't. Very few sides have scored long range tries against us this season; however, I will grant you that we have not scored as many long range tries this season. I would put the latter down to the fact that we've probably made far less clean breaks but, I'll leave the Excel warriors to settle that one.



Watkins looks a far better prospect to me than Atkins did at his age. Admittedly, the injury is an issue but, the noone can predict how that may turn out. Are you suggesting the club should pack him off to Salford now?



I share some of your concerns but, you're knee jerking.

Maybe it was offside, but watch it carefully, 3 Leeds players ran up in a line, 1 challenged for the ball and the other two just ran past where Mathers (I think) jumped, not even looking at the ball and not interested in how the play developed. They should have been in a position to stop Riley before he'd gone two yards. We were always in trouble once he'd gone 20 yards as our defensive line was shot.