Will The Real Leeds Rhinos Please Stand Up... : Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:11 pm  

So 10 fixtures into the new season 8 Super League, 1 World Club Challenge And 1 Challenge Cup i am hoping that there is still more to offer in our performances and we are still waiting to see the type of Rugby League we have come to expect from the Leeds Rhinos, I think i can honestly say that we haven't performed to the level we have shown in previous seasons so far this year and i don't know whether this comes from the intensity and improved workrate of the opposition or if the players just expect to turn up and have the two points in the bag but hopefully things will come together soon...
Is it just me or do the defeats seem to hurt more than ever after two consecutive Grand Final victories?, Have we become more arrogant and expect the team to win every game they play?...

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:21 pm  

its hardly a disaster. We have played nothing like we are capable of. we have had injuries and a key new players in buderus is still finding his fitness and form. Similarly webb is not fully match fit or sharp yet but he will be. we are still second in teh table on the back of a very dubious loss. A second place finish and a steady build in momentum towards october will do me.

Have we not learnt from the past two seasons that leeds do not steamroller their way through an entire season. they build at the right time. Granted there is a million miles between where we are now and a grnad final winning performance but we have that improvement in us and 6 months to worry about it.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:22 pm  

anyone remember saints last season? they were not much better than we are at the moment!

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:27 pm  

morpeth rhino wrote:

its hardly a disaster. We have played nothing like we are capable of. we have had injuries and a key new players in buderus is still finding his fitness and form. Similarly webb is not fully match fit or sharp yet but he will be. we are still second in teh table on the back of a very dubious loss. A second place finish and a steady build in momentum towards october will do me.

Have we not learnt from the past two seasons that leeds do not steamroller their way through an entire season. they build at the right time. Granted there is a million miles between where we are now and a grnad final winning performance but we have that improvement in us and 6 months to worry about it.

I never said it was a disaster, I never mentioned anything about steamrolling through the season, Hopefully we have yes but 10 Games into a season you'd like to see some Championship winning form or at least a performance coming from the Championship winning side...

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:29 pm  

the squad is weaker this year, thats why we are not playing to the same standard - even if we win every game for the rest of the year then it will be a less successful season than last year

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:35 pm  

Sibbs Rhinos wrote:

anyone remember saints last season? they were not much better than we are at the moment!

Why are you comparing to a side that finished second?

How do Leeds look compared to Leeds this time last year?

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:23 pm  

tvoc wrote:

How do Leeds look compared to Leeds this time last year?

Waay too early to write off the rest of our season but that is a good question. I've been asking myself that for a few weeks, nearly posted in fact. I would say we've a weaker squad and some of the key players seem no better than last season. Last season we had good fringe players where as this year the fringe players are main guys and it's not yet clear who've filled those gaps. Realise it's a subjective statement but lets see if we win as many league points as we did last year, I suspect not.

If over spending the slaray cap can win you titles then surely underspending is equally advantageous to teams that have used what they can. Team domination in all sports comes to an end but I would like to think our run comes to end because of on the field reasons and not board room reasons.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:28 pm  

morpeth rhino wrote:

its hardly a disaster.

Absolutely, but try telling that to the Leeds supporters walking out of Odsal tonight.

: Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:51 am  

tvoc wrote:

Why are you comparing to a side that finished second?

How do Leeds look compared to Leeds this time last year?

That's exactly the point i was trying to make:

Leeds Rhinos 2008 (First 8 Super League Games):

Points For: 270, Points Against: 80
Wins: 7, Draws: 0, Losses: 1

Leeds Rhinos 2009 (First 8 Super League Games):

Points For: 185, Points Against: 94
Wins: 6, Draws: 0, Losses: 2

Re: Will The Real Leeds Rhinos Please Stand Up... : Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:56 am  

The Joker® wrote:

So 10 fixtures into the new season 8 Super League, 1 World Club Challenge And 1 Challenge Cup i am hoping that there is still more to offer in our performances and we are still waiting to see the type of Rugby League we have come to expect from the Leeds Rhinos, I think i can honestly say that we haven't performed to the level we have shown in previous seasons so far this year and i don't know whether this comes from the intensity and improved workrate of the opposition or if the players just expect to turn up and have the two points in the bag but hopefully things will come together soon...
Is it just me or do the defeats seem to hurt more than ever after two consecutive Grand Final victories?, Have we become more arrogant and expect the team to win every game they play?...

There is nothing arrogant in expecting a particular level of competitive ability on the pitch, which apart from the first 40 minutes in the Wigan match, has so far been lacking in our other games.

Common sense dictates that for a variety of reasons your team will not hit the heights in every game, but I personally wonder if those numpties who witter on about not expecting to win every game, are really happy to accept mediocrity as the standard at Headingley.

It's early doors, but hopefully things will improve.

Over to you, Bluey