As much as I wouldn't expect anyone to wax lyrical about Leeds, but.....



...despite the slow start to the season, Leeds are still the reigning Champions, and have held the crown for the last 3 seasons. Losing at Headingley isn't a disgrace, and if you had taken the two points it would have been a fabulous effort. However, despite Leeds' injury problems, we still know how to win big games.



It's a bit disrespectful for people to start saying "if x player had been playing, and y player, we would have won" - I find that unlikely.



To be a Champion side you adapt to losing "key" men. Leeds lost Brent Webb before a Grand Final, and his replacement won the Harry Sunderland award. Opposing fans ridicule Carl Ablett and Ian Kirke, but they come up with the goods time and again. Leeds have been the subject of quite a few jokes this season, which seems crazy with so much time left and with them having the element of actually knowing how to win this thing!



I think Tony Smith is a legend and he knows exactly what he is doing, and will no doubt bring some real success to Warrington. But have a bit of class and realise that losing to the treble Champions at Headingley, and a club that does pretty much everything the right way, isn't a reflection of how bad Warrington were.

Well it depends on your definition of great. We had our moments in the 50's and early 70's and a spat of decent results in the late 80's early 90's. Indeed we are current CC winners and 2nd in the League. But no, we cannot compete with the Wigan successes of the 80's and early 90's. But neither have we been relegated or cheated on the salary cap. It's horses for courses.

Such a nice change to hear views from posters like this rather than the other garbage we get on here from those I won't name. You are exactly right. No shame in losing a one off games against big sides. I would like to win the odd one though so I can satisfy myself we can actually compete in the big games.

Great post, Cant disagree with that.

Although you may not be on about me i'll respond as though you have.



What i said about having Monas and Myler out is actually a back handed compliment to Leeds, I am in essence saying to beat the big clubs we need the extra pizazz because the games will be close calls.

just got back from tonights game,imo there wasn't that much between the 2 sides tbf,we got away from you with a few quick un-answered tries,but warrington to their credit never gave in and they made a real game of it

i think that the wire are a great side to watch,i like your style of play and your defense is very tough.

imo these 2 sides will have to battle it out a few more times this season and possibly when the stakes will be far higher,i can't wait

fantastic turnout from your fans tonight,it's a long time since i've seen so many travelling over on a friday night

Fair enough.



But it's unlikely you'll go into big games with a perfect bill of health. As rescuedblue said, champion teams adapt. I think warrington have a real shot at the super league title this season but to do it you're gonna need to have it in your locker to be able to beat a top team in a big game without a myler, or a briers or a monoghan.

Nice response!! And made me smile!









Fair comment. However even having those two players playing wouldn't necessarily have meant you would have come closer to winning. It was just one of those nights. If Burrow and Lauitiiti (one of the most attack minded forwards in the league) had been playing I don't think it would have meant Leeds would have won by 40. When a game is a grind, your "star" players don't always make the difference you need. Ryan Bailey won a man of the match award tonight. A player ridiculed by many opposing fans. Yet his contribution was deemed more important by some than Kevin Sinfield, or Danny McGuire. The "gamebreakers".



I know you think that when you had all that pressure on the Leeds line, one of those two would have unlocked it. But if those two players had been playing, you may never have got into that position in the first place!



Butterfly effect!

spot on, and what I have noticed that doesnt seem to happen anymore is we dont play half fit players anymore...

I fancy a couple of seasons ago one or both of Myler and Monas would have been forced to play with strapping/ injections etc.... its a good situation to be in and granted we just arent at that level of Leeds when it comes to covering key players...



I'm thinking of Rauhii playing with a bad back, Leikvoll playing with bad back knees and ankles! Monas playing with a calf injury probably many more, we are in a much better position despite tonights result

I am not gloating. I have actually said I think wire will take the league leaders this year. I'm not gloating, all I have done on this thread is defend myself over Peacocks injuries and put wire fans straight who think the only reason they lost is injuries. You seem more realistic though.



Also, it's late at night, often the only time I get on the computer.

Just got back.



Thaler was a joke.

course you would, and had burrows been in the squad and Peacock not gone off after 7 mins we'd have put 30-40+ on you