Once were Loiners wrote:What I would like to hear, as someone said before, is some acknowledgement by Smith that we haven't played well. I understand he doesn't want to give too much away in interviews, but as a fan the 'tough game of footy' mantra when we've played badly is starting to wear a bit thin. The journalists could ask better questions but as fans I think some acknowledgement of reality is due, as it would suggest he knows its not good enough and needs to make changes.

Our starts are terrible and our defence generally isn't good enough, either in terms of field position or points conceded. Last year we had no field position but defended our line well and then played out of defence with style. We built that style because we had a miniature front row. That isn't the case this year and there's no reason for losing field position every game. Take away the huge self belief the team built and the big effort in scrambling defence and the game plan just looks like playing with one hand tied behind your back.

He needs to revisit this as we're just not getting the results. Its not that hard to go back to the basics in defence, as every single player in the squad will have played most of their career under a very similar plan.

I also think he's making things a bit worse in some selections - I don't like Martin in the centres long term, or a winger on the bench. He's picking Bentley, who looks like he's waiting to hear which NRL team he'll join next year, but underplayed Walters, who in the few games he has played has looked really good (just 3 games from 10 now).

None of that means I don't think he's the right man for the job. I like most of the squad building he's done, and we play some very attractive rugby at times. But it feels like Smith is waiting for the performances of last year to just click in, when I don't think we can replicate the results with the same gameplan. Mid table is OK this year but only if it feels like we're moving in the right direction. Its worrying that after ten games we've maybe strung five good halfs together, and not one 80 minute game.

Jack Burton wrote:The halves get spoken about as if they're a couple of randoms from the championship or something. They have nearly 300 NRL games between them, and 1 played an NRL GF, and both have made the SL dream team not so long ago. Surely, we should be able to develop a tactical plan and attacking structure that gets the best out of them? The 9 and 1 positions are far bigger issues IMO.

Barrie’s Glass Eye wrote:I don’t have a problem with myler short term. He’s been good but is obviously getting up there in age. 9 wise O’Connor has gone well and there’s obviously still improvement to be had there, but for him to improve we’ll have to take the rough with the smooth. Johnson needs more game time, I think we’d be better when those 9 duties are shared. I can only assume they’re being cautious with a kid who’s not played a whole lot of first grade rugby for his age?

My main issue with the halves is Sezer. For me he lets the game pass him by, and yes while his NRL resume reads great, it was always interesting that he was let go at a prime sort of age (right after aforementioned grand final I think) and came to SL at that age. The way he flits in and out of games for me directly correlates with our form. Austin like myler is ok, but imo guilty of trying to do too much.

Shabino wrote:Only listening on radio, but sounds like a pretty low quality game between two pretty low quality teams….!

Budgiezilla wrote:2nd half was, 1st 30 minutes we (Leigh) were superb.