BRAD LUCK’S SO DESERVED Honest Singleton admits to failings

BRAD SINGLETON claims it is only right that Leeds will be going through agony today.

The champions need Wakefield to lose this afternoon’s match against Hull to boost their survival hopes.

If Trinity come a cropper it means the scrap to avoid the Middle 8s relegation battle goes into next week’s final round of games.

But if they win, Leeds will be doomed to an embarrassing second fight for their lives in the past three years.

Rhinos prop Singleton, however, said Leeds deserve to be put through the wringer of emotions.

He said: “We do not deserve to have it in our hands because we are in that position.

“It is our fault that it is not in our hands and we will have to deal with whatever comes.”

Singleton, who was captain for Friday’s 34-0 win over Widnes, said he will be keeping a check on Wakefield’s progress.

But he added: “We will find out the score but it does not change us – nothing changes for us.

“Whether we end up in the top eight or the middle eights we just have to keep building momentum and putting in some better performances.”

Previous coach Brian McDermott was sacked earlier this month after a run of seven successive

Super League defeats.

Headingley legend

Kevin Sinfield has come in as director of rugby and stopped the rot by picking up three points from his first three games.

But Singleton – who has been made part of a four-man leadership group by Sinfield – says it is about far more than results on the field.

He said: “The changes are obvious – you can see the energy levels are great, especially in defence.

“But he’s got the mix right. It’s been a great two weeks under him. I love playing for him.”

Players who become coaches at their own clubs often find the switch from being one of the lads to management hard.

But Singleton says that was never going to be a problem. He said: “I do not think you could ever take the mickey out of Kev! He has just got that aura about him and he is a great professional.

“He has always been very much a leader and he is bringing those qualities to his role now.”

Winger Luke Briscoe, who recently joined Leeds for a third time, says he is determined to try and switch off from what is happening at Wakefield today.

He said: “I will just try to relax and not do a lot or maybe take the dog for a steady stroll to keep me calm.

“It will be tough if we end up in the Middle 8s.

“But we will obviously just have to take it on the chin and try to win every game.”