Leeds are in good shape, insists Brian McDermott

Leeds coach Brian McDermott insists the Rhinos remain positive, despite his side sitting just one point above the bottom four.

The Rhinos lost 28-25 to Catalans Dragons at Emerald Headingley on Wednesday night.

Leeds sit in seventh spot in the Super League table, one point above ninth-placed Catalans.

Despite Leeds having lost their last six Super League games, McDermott insists the team remain upbeat.

He said: “Everybody is concerned, but my message to everyone is that we are in good shape.

“You have got to keep asking ‘are we in good shape’ or ‘is there something sinister going on?’ but the answer is positive on all of those questions.

“The anxiety that we had a couple of years ago because of the fear of being in the bottom eight is not there for us at the moment.

“We are in good shape. When bodies come back and when I have more of a regular team, we will be good.”

McDermott was forced to field a young and inexperienced side on Wednesday due to a crippling injury list.

But he was proud of his side’s performance.

He added: “I’m really pleased on a fair few levels.

“After the spike of enthusiasm we had last week against St Helens, the challenge for us was to get right up there again and I thought we did.

“Our energy levels seriously dropped in the second half. I don’t want to be publicly critical, we conceded some soft tries but that is what happens sometimes.

“In stressful and tight games, especially when you are down on bodies, it is not easy to compose yourselves, especially when the opposition is fighting to put you under pressure.”

Next up for Leeds is a trip to the DW Stadium next Thursday as they face Wigan Warriors, 7:45pm kick-off.