2009 - Was that the season Leeds won the League Leaders Shield finishing 4 points clear of the field and took out the Grand Final led by a coach who became the first to successfully defend the title?



Perhaps the players did or didn't appreciate the coaching that enabled them to achieve a credible title but from a supporting point of view I preferred those type of efforts over any [ihalf-d [/ififth placed finish.

It could be said that you would be happier then with Wigans record this year than the Rhinos. Granted we havnt won the championship yet but we are at least in the final.

At this point in Leeds' recent history making the final means next to nothing if you don't go on and win. Anyone that celebrates coming second has a loser's mentality.



The bean-counters will appreciate the additional revenue though.

It should be said that i'd be happier walking away from the p!$$ poor performances happier if we'd turned up and had a go rather bending over and taking it up the @rris and showing the resolve of a soggy kit-kat.

Dont mind losing and even the odd (ST's away) blip it has happened to TS ,Bluey etc etc when they were in charge aswell.

Not only that looking at the "big games" this year and last its clear they capable of much much better both in terms of effort ,composure and quality.

I dont expect them to win every game or even play at their maximum best every match just have a dig dont get humiliated on a regular basis which has happened far too often in the last 2 yrs imo.

Havent seen anbody celebrating coming second as yet ??? but for the time being its ok to celebrate reaching the final

Then I can still only draw the obvious conclusion that you would rather have Wigans playing record this year than the Rhinos.



You are naturally looking at it from a ST supporters standpoint whilst the coach has to consider perhaps who else is also watching and drawing conclusions from his selections and game plans to win what to him are meaningless games at the very best worth only 2 league points.

It was indeed, and yet you will remember that McClennan was heavily criticised by some of our fans towards the end of that season for taking the team backwards. Not a view I necessarily agreed with then either. I'm merely making the comparison between the players attitudes towards them. I'm not party to the coaching abilities of either of them. None of us are.



The reasons for the last 2 seasons 5th placed finishes are still up for debate, but it hasn't hindered our ability to contest for trophies.

I'm not sure what it adds to the debate either way but I recall some players saying they were particularly determined to win the hubcap in 2009 because there had been comments made somewhere that the success in winning the 07 and 08 finals was undermined by having come from second.



I remember Wigan players in the 1990s saying that it was fear of becoming the team which lost that drove them on in their Challenge Cup run. This team instead seem to have taken additional motivation from a constant desire to prove people wrong.



Paradoxically, and somewhat distressingly, this means of course that Headingley's booing s have played a vital role in our Super League success, alongside the naysaying journos and unsophisticated opposition head coaches. The team comes alive when they are told they aren't good enough to win or not worthy enough having won or, heaven forbid, that they are chosen out of a line up as the weakest link. I suspect, just like Wane, Brian McDermott stores away every slight and perceived injustice and catcall. Unlike the pie muncher, though, he has the wit to use it for creative rather than self-destructive ends.

You give my memory way too much credit I'm afraid.

Dosnt McD have a military background ???? and therefore a mindset that states winning the battle isnt important but winning the war is.

Given the various issues surrounding the WCC, it really doesn't provide any true indication of the respective merits of the two teams. The English teams Iincluding leeds) have struggled to compete over the last few years and yet, they have been holding significant advantages. You also have to question the motivation shown by the Australian teams.



I wasn't guessing, I think I've learn to discern what is good and what is exceptional.

TheEagle beat you to writing that.

I don't think that was the point of my post but I agree indeed they are not. One came after actually winning something.



I'm hearing plenty of excuses being lined up which is unfortunate if true. Squad size may well be down to the CEO but squad utilisation and rotation is down to the coach.