.... Well, not until the end of the season anyway.

The bottom line is, I suspect GH and many others at the club have already written this season off. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this is all part of the 'Grand Plan'.

As we all know, the South Stand is coming down at the end of the season and to make the rebuilding project viable over a winter that could easily be like last year's, the bulldozers literally need to be revving up in the car park after the last game.

Thus, if we hd a season like the last few years of sucess, it could add another month on to the playing / occupation time and give a severe hinderance to the project to being ready for the start of the 2012 season. So, finishing something like 7th or 8th (with an away play-off tie) could well be the goal and the expectation of an early exit from the play-offs. Heaven forbid should we progress, but can anyone see GH asking Ken Bates to go play at Elland Road for a few games or taking a Leeds 'home' game to the Galpharm or Odslum ? With BMD in charge until the end of the season, you're more or less going to be assured an early exit from the play offs and a poor league finish.

There is already rumours that the Supporters Club will close at the end of the regular season, so would be closed 'if' we had a play off game.

The release of Biff and Cross last week is just the tip of the iceberg for the team rebuilding that needs to go on, but these were the players who could be most easily released and probably at the lowest overall cost / pay off to the club. If you recall, the original statement said they were free to look for other clubs. When no-one of any importance came forward or clubs who the players wanted to go to, the 'stay and fight for the place' sentiment was changed to 'no, you ARE going'. In terms of keeping the costs down as low as possible might also be the reason why several of our other players have spent a large part of the season on loan elsewhere.

I also wouldn't be surprised deep in the valuts at Headingley, if another coach hasn't been lined up as a replacement and at the end of the season, after a 'performance review', if BMD and Lowes are given the sack. Look out for phrases like 'disappointing', 'failed to reach our expectations', 'a performance not worthy of a club like ours' etc. But then .... New stand + New Coach + New Players ..... Roll up, Roll up get your Season Tickets here folks !

The season's a write off ...

Are you the marketing mananger in disguise?

I must say BMD and his partner have really endeared themselves to the Leeds fans. Their contempt for us is appalling a la Peter Fox. If they were men of substance they would walk away out of shame. In my day we'd have put the service revolver on the table and they'd have known what to do with it!

No, why ?

McDermott will go when it dawns on Hethrington that it's going to hit him financially, and that day will be before then end of the season. Remember that Noble has a made up job at Halifax and irrespective of his feelings towards us it will put him back in the shop window at least.
Another scenario is if the players call time on McD then that will be game, set and match for him irrespective of it being in the season.

The idea that there is a master plan to end the season early rather than have the possibility of playing a couple of games at Galpharm/Keepmoat/Wherever is pretty far-fetched.

Option 1:

Compete in play-offs. Get extra fixtures & revenue whether games played at Headingley or not. Have punchers chance of reaching GF. Sell more season tickets on back of having an entertaining, reasonably performing team.

Option 2:

Finish season as early as possible. Minimize chances of revenue & success.

I don't think GH is *deliberately* aiming for the latter.

So the players get rid of yet another coach - perhaps the issue is as much the players as the management - perhaps a few high profile departures might make the players understand who runs the team?

I have no time for McDermott but some of the performances last night were pathetic for elite players - how many times did Smith and Delanney drop simple passes? Could someone tell me what Burrow actually offers the side? Will Kylie ever break the line? Will Bailey actually put 2 good performances together in a row etc etc.

The poster put forward why McD would not be sacked before the end of the season. I put forward 2 scenarios which would result in McD's sacking before the end of the season.
I do not disagree with your assessment of the players you named but if the players are not with a coach then he is gone.

Don't disagree the manager has to shoulder some blame for his poor selection , and apparent lack of skills in the coaching motivating area, but far too many players are not performing.

As for your comment on burrow he is the best sideways runner in our team,

And without the Burrow side run we wouldn't have the motivation for the Peacock up and under - our only unpredictable tactic

I bet he goes if we lose our next two games (Wigan and Catalans, both away) and go 7th or maybe even 8th, which is entirely possible.

It seems to be a matter of when, not if, IMO.