Re: Has the Leeds Era come to an end? : Sun Aug 29, 2010 5:06 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

None of that changes the observable evidence of Leeds looking jaded all season. They may spring anew next season, since they have re-signed all their old codjers, but this may indeed be the beginning of the end for them.

Of course not, but again there are comparisons with ourselves, Leeds have played more games than anyone over recent seasons with full seasons, cup runs, playoffs grand finals and WCC's, much the same as we did prior to our dour season last year and that can take its toll on a team over the period of three years or more.

One thing is for sure next season will be very very interesting.

Re: Has the Leeds Era come to an end? : Sun Aug 29, 2010 5:21 pm  

Tony Stark wrote:

Of course not, but again there are comparisons with ourselves, Leeds have played more games than anyone over recent seasons with full seasons, cup runs, playoffs grand finals and WCC's, much the same as we did prior to our dour season last year and that can take its toll on a team over the period of three years or more.

I agree with you in that both us and Leeds have played more games each season for the past three years or so than any other team in the league (for Saints until last year we had the Challenge Cup final where Leeds had the WCC). However, last season we started off very strongly, rising to top spot, a position we held until the final game of the season, which was a gift to Leeds, in spite of losing five of our last eight matches and carrying a bunch of debutants in our team. Leeds last season started off slowly and crept up the league; this season they haven't really started at all but have gotten as far as they have, IMO, because so many teams are scared of them and we have been missing both our halfbacks in our last two encounters. So while I do get your point about our comparative workloads, I still think there is something deader about Leeds than about us. And I think if they make it to the Grand Final it would be an injustice because both Wigan and Wire have played far, far better rugby league for the duration of the season than they have and they really don't deserve to get there.

One thing is for sure next season will be very very interesting.

Now, that I can agree with 100%! (Note, St Pete!)

Re: Has the Leeds Era come to an end? : Sun Aug 29, 2010 5:38 pm  

Tony Stark wrote:

I can almost hear the Southstanders laughing at this thread its making me cringe.

Dont worry, I'm having a good laugh at this and this thread is bookmarked, just incase we do have a weekend in Manchester in October.

Re: Has the Leeds Era come to an end? : Sun Aug 29, 2010 5:43 pm  

Sam Buca wrote:

Dont worry, I'm having a good laugh at this and this thread is bookmarked, just incase we do have a weekend in Manchester in October.

That's fine, so long as you remember not all of us think you are a spent force.

Re: Has the Leeds Era come to an end? : Sun Aug 29, 2010 5:47 pm  

Tony Stark wrote:

That's fine, so long as you remember not all of us think you are a spent force.

Of course not. Theres some decent ones on here and quite a few idiots.

Re: Has the Leeds Era come to an end? : Sun Aug 29, 2010 6:46 pm  

Sam Buca wrote:

Of course not. Theres some decent ones on here and quite a few idiots.

While I think yesterday was more a bad day at the office than a fall from grace (like Saints performance in the GF 2007), but I think for some reason this has been a hard year for Leeds to get going (except in the cup) and Old Trafford in 2010 might be a bridge too far unless they can spark very soon, especially having pick themselves up to play Hull and then possibly Wigan away in consecutive weeks.

Do you think you need a couple of signings to freshen it up? Undoubtedly the talent is still there but its getting older and there have been so few changes with only Delaney and Buderus (with Eastwood going) being added to the starting 17 for a few seasons.

The pack for next year looks a bit dads army with Peacock 33, Buderus 33, Leuluai 32, Lauititi 31, JJB 29, Sinfield 30, Kirke 29, Diskin 29 and Bailey 27 (Only Ablett 25, Burgess 24, Clarkson 20 and Ambler 21 "youthful"). I know you have signed quite a few projects for the future (Coady, Pitts, Amor etc..) but with the u20 struggling a bit this year, will they be ready to keep you at the top long term?

Re: Has the Leeds Era come to an end? : Sun Aug 29, 2010 6:58 pm  

Honestly, i dont want to see any signings of "top players" i'd rather see some younger projects brought in again. I think that there will be a signing to replace Eastwood but thats it.

Its the start of a transition period next year (for me) The swap between coaches - McDermott taking control and the ageing squad replacement. Think JP has 2 more years in him. Buderus will be gone by 2011 end and the rest would probably have about 5-6 years in them.

Re: Has the Leeds Era come to an end? : Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:07 pm  

Tony Stark wrote:

That's fine, so long as you remember not all of us think you are a spent force.

wuss!

Re: Has the Leeds Era come to an end? : Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:10 pm  

Sam Buca wrote:

Honestly, i dont want to see any signings of "top players" i'd rather see some younger projects brought in again. I think that there will be a signing to replace Eastwood but thats it.

Its the start of a transition period next year (for me) The swap between coaches - McDermott taking control and the ageing squad replacement. Think JP has 2 more years in him. Buderus will be gone by 2011 end and the rest would probably have about 5-6 years in them.

The problem is the Leeds U20 side has nothing in it, and hasn't had for three or four years. As you know I've had this discussion on your message board earlier in the season. For some reason, the Leeds academy sides have been terrible for a while. What is the reason?
You are in a better position understand than we are.

Re: Has the Leeds Era come to an end? : Sun Aug 29, 2010 8:49 pm  

I don't think the Leeds 'era' has finished, they are far to good a team to just fade away.
But like all dominance it has to end, The Wigan era, then the Bradford era with Saints then being the best ( the Saints 'era' is far from an end and you will continue at the top for a good while yet) all came and went.

Leeds will still be a top four team and then either fade for a few years or immediately regroup and again come to the fore.