Re: Will The Real Leeds Rhinos Please Stand Up... : Sun Apr 12, 2009 6:05 pm  

AdmiralHanson wrote:

Having said that, when Wigan were winning everything in sight in the 80s / 90s, they didn't seem to have much problem with winning most games .... Usually playing (towards the end of a season) between two or three games a week.

Playing the devil's advocate, it could be argued that we should be aiming for that sort of form. After all, one of their straplines from that period was that 'winning was habit forming'

Quite.

The psychological advantage you gain from winning pretty much all your games - especially at home and in cup competitions is massive. Look at the advantage Saints have mentally over Warrington at the moment, and over Wigan (which was the exact opposite not so long ago).
I read a piece from Trevor Watson many years ago after an embarrasing defeat at Headingley in the early 80's (Featherstone I think), he said "teams used to turn up at Leeds, get changed, lose, and go home". If you can part beat a team before they get out on the pitch why not? If your opposition know that you can get sloppy, not turn up sometimes, or not really worry about the odd game here and there then will always come into a game positive against you.

: Sun Apr 12, 2009 6:47 pm  

Sibbs Rhinos wrote:

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

In fact much worse IIRC they had won 5 and lost 5 so there*s no need to panic just yet.

: Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:51 pm  

Walter Neff wrote:

In fact much worse IIRC they had won 5 and lost 5 so there*s no need to panic just yet.

What is this fascination with St Helens. And St Helens went on to become Champions last year, didn't they?

There are 8 rounds completed so far (not 10) and after 8 rounds St Helens record was 5 wins to 3 losses but they were still in the Challenge Cup.

Leeds on the other hand at that same point had the WCC in the Trophy cabinet, a 7 wins to 1 loss SL record (scoring 270 points and conceding 80) and still in the Challenge Cup.

Do you see any difference to this season yet?