Funny then how whenever defending bailey the only argument people can stump up is ''but x, y and z have all selected him'', rather then reeling off a list of tangible things he actually adds to the team. I bet many people have worked under managers who favoured certain people, and you can't work out why based on their performance.



When I watch leeds games and see bailey and kirke come on and do practically nothing for 10-15 minutes and that is their sole contribution, all I can do is think of how much better we could be if we had a cuople of forwards that really ripped into the opposition for 15 mins each half giving peacock and leuluai a breather.



It's not just opposition fans that dislike bailey (mostly for the wrong reasons, alleging he's a thug), but I've come across many leeds fans that do, and they dislike him because he adds little to the team.

TBF, stating that he's been selected by the likes of GF winning coaches Smith, McClennen and McDermott is a better/rational argument/appraisal than some fan saying "he does f**k all for me!"



I dare say SOME of the Leeds fans who have grown to dislike him have done so simply based on the view other clubs fans have on him and are afraid of looking so biased towards their own team so feel the need to join the "Bailey thug" bandwagon.



Note I said SOME, as some have given fair reasons against Bailey about how he's not consistent enough (but pointed out how he can be good on his day) and silly antics at times, these are the ones who calmly state he should be moved on for someone else and nothing wrong with that view.



Then you get SOME who say he's c**p, always has been c**p, penalty machine, thug etc, who should be shipped off to London or the Championship because he's completely useless.



I dare say that their are actually not many who "dislike" him. If they do they're quite idiotic for disliking someone whose put his body out there on the field for this club whilst you watch in the stands or on tv. Might be quite a few that are frustrated, annoyed, disappointed in him. But "dislike" as an emotion towards him (or anyone who plays for the club) is pathetic IMO.

If they dislike his style of rugby or his contribution to the team, then fair enough thats their opinion and its their right to think so.



but if they dislike the man based on nothing more than heresay or rumour or the opinions of others ( Stan Wall included) then they are prejudiced and IMHO just plain stupid

I couldn't give a tuppeny shizzle what Stan Wall thinks about our players.



Bailey has been a disappointment the last year or so. Before that he was a decent forward who did an important job.

So has Ian Kirke





So we can assume that you also think that Bailey merits inclusion on the basis that he intimidates the opposition , which of course was the comment I quoted . I prefer props that actually hurt the opposition ( within the rules ) now and again , not just posture around a bit then blow the equivalent of a rugby league raspberry .

Yes and merited international selection at the time .

You can assume whatever you want.

As to why he retained his position I woud simply refer you to our past coaching staff.



I like Bailey because he had what I call "corners" and he used them. I also seem to recall 30 odd thousand Leeds fans cheering to the rafters at our numerous GF victories but I dont recall at the time hearing many bleating about one or even two individuals.



Yes he may now have peaked career wise but another thing I like about the current Rhinos set up is we do tend to retain some loyalty to those who have served us well.

So do you think he intimidates the opposition or not ? That was the issue I commented on .



Quite why you chose to bring up 30 odd thousand fans cheering the team at O/T is a little strange .

I think he (past tense I admit) frustrated, annoyed and distracted the opposition on most occassions.



The second point I was making is that you and several others on this thread appear to be somewhat hypocrtical ...IMHO



or are you denying the facts of his Leeds career.

The question is still do you think he is an intimidating presence in the team or not , quite why you feel I am being hypocritical or denying his Leeds career is bizarre in the extreme .

Yes !! as a regular member of a pack that lead the team to 5 GF wins then clearly his prescence woud have been intimidating. IMHO





I think its quite clear why I think you are being hypocritical.

Bailey isn't intimidating. The opposition always wants to get stuck into him. I remember a game at kr circa 2009 when he shirked out of taking the first drive on a penalty because the saints forwards were ravenous, pointing him out and saying "you just try and run at me son". Bailey copped fa'asavalu with a dodgy hit and they got wound up and started tackling like demons. Half the time bailey only motivates a team to defend faster and harder. He stirs up the hornets nest.



It's laughable people seriously suggest he's intimidating when you get players lining up to knock his block off.