IMO when confidence and form isn't there it's the attack that usually suffers.



This was true at the start of the season.



But we have moved the ball around better and are scoring some decent points.



But the area which isn't showing any signs of improvement is the defence.



So why isn't this area falling in line?



discipline and fatigue IMO.



We cough up too much ball and give too many penalties away. Putting needless pressure on our defence.



I'd also like to see our defence up the aggression in the tackle. Also run out and meet them instead of holding back. They aren't doing this because of the fatigue factor.



Smarten up Leeds.

IMO after 3 titles - there isnt that same desire / hunger like there once was amongst the squad.



A little less desire amongst the whole squad + injuries has resulted in us getting our bottoms slapped on more than 1 occasion.



Teams are just hungier than we are + certain teams have improved like Hudds, Wigan + Warrington.



Its time for a rebuilding period for 2011 - let some of the old wood go ie Senior + Webb and bring in the fresh blood who are hunger for success ie Ben Bishop Jones + Coady.

Dont think its a lack of desire, It could be a result of just being mentally drained from last 3 years, but i cant imagine any team having no desire to get back to the grand final. Unfortunatly its just sport, and it has its ups and downs. We are on a slight down at the moment, but you learn from tough times, and it wont do some of the lads any harm.

Take a look at the structure and combinations that form a defensive line, particularly on the fringes.



Most teams defend (from the outside in) with a winger, halfback, centre and a second rower.



So far this season Leeds have used:



Wings - Donald, Hall, Smith, Bush, Clarkson, Coady

Centres - Delaney, Senior, Watkins, Clarkson

Half backs - McGuire, Burrow, Sinfield (albeit the structure changes with Sinfield at 6 as he defends in the middle)

Second rows - Kirke, JJB, Ablett, Eastwood, Lauitiiti, Clarkson, Peacock



I'm guessing that over the course of the season Leeds haven't fielded the same names two weeks running in the threequarters and second row for the start of a game (no doubt our resident stattos can confirm or deny?)



Communication suffers, as a result confidence suffers (wingers start rushing in because they see the inside defence struggling) and the whole thing starts to fall apart. You get errors like Chris Clarkson turning his back close to the line to try and get back in position rather than playing what was in front of him.



Indiscipline doesn't help either. You keep handing teams repeat sets with penalties you're going to wear out really quickly and get tackling like that we saw at the end of the first half on Saturday.



Injuries can't be helped and will spoil consistency of selection (not that it helps when coaches break up partnerships to move wingers from one side to the other then back again the following week). Indiscipline can be fixed and it's down the coach and the individual players to address it properly rather than just pay lip service to doing so.

Where were the holes in the 2nd half?

Fantastic observation Mr Gilder. Fantastic.

Excellent observations, and no doubt contributes. I still think attitude has played a bigger part though and Leeds are struggling to get "up" for run of the mill league games. For example (from what you wrote):



Wings - Donald, Hall, Smith, Bush, Clarkson, Coady (Gardner, Meli, Armstrong, Foster, Lomax, Roby, Wheeler)

Centres - Delaney, Senior, Watkins, Clarkson (Soliola, Wheeler, Gidley, Dean, Flannery)

Half backs - McGuire, Burrow, Sinfield (albeit the structure changes with Sinfield at 6 as he defends in the middle) (Eastmond, Roby, Wilkin, Pryce, Moore)

Second rows - Kirke, JJB, Ablett, Eastwood, Lauitiiti, Clarkson, Peacock (Clough, Flannery, Wilkin, Ashurst, Dixon, Puletua, Roby, Soliola)



I don't think many would argue that Leeds have a stronger squad with more depth than Saints, but similar (if not less) disruption on the fringes seems to have affected Leeds more than Saints.



Perhaps that's a reflection of the ability of the respective youngsters, perhaps the respective coaches, but defence is largely about attitude and Leeds' attitude to hard work doesn't seem to be the same as previous seasons.



Having said that, I maintain that with all bodies back, you'll be the team to beat to the title.

Yeah, I'd go for that and I think we might just get away with it. However, we need to start playing well soon; Saints, Wire & Wigan are all looking more & more confident and will be tough in the play offs (although I'd guess that at least one of those three will have slumped by the business end of the season).

Fatigue may be another difference between Leeds and Saints at the moment. Leeds suffered early doors due to the WCC, and having to play Hull in the CC probably took more out of them than whoever Saints played in the equivalent fixture. I'd expect Leeds to look a lot sharper after the Blackpool game, provided they put them to the sword early and the players take it seriously.

Whilst Gilder's observations are certainly well made and will have a bearing, overall I'd agree with FtV and Pmack.



For the last couple of years I've waxed (not very) lyrical about the mental challenge of defending a title. It must be incredibly difficult for a team to lift itself to go again after winning the previous 3 years. What we're seeing is probably 95% but the missing 5% is the difference between defensive excellence and falibility.



It was similar for the middle chunk of last year when the penalty count was seen as the achillies heel of the side, yet the penalties coneded were largely borne of frustration (interference and backchat typically) with the team's own performance not being where they'd expect it to be.



I'm hoping that Mclennan is treating this year the same as last and training and motivating the teams only to a point and so saving the best 'till last.

Am I right in thinking nobody had previously won 2 titles in a row during the GF era, let alone 3? If so then it clearly is very difficult and I am not sure we get enough credit from what we've done (from our own fan base as well as others).

No that would be incorrect as St Helens have also won consecutive Grand Finals (after finishing the Regular Rounds in 2nd incidentally.)