Sadly the errors were (are) being spread across the 13 individuals on the field, more or less the same for penalties. This puts us constantly on the back foot, and it was happening throughout the first half against Saints and worse in the second. The 'passive defence' is a myth, at least for this season. Rather, it is a necessity forced by our inability to hold the ball - if we constantly give the opposition repeat sets what else can they do? If we're giving penalties away for offside every game that's not a sign of being passive.

I agree that the coach needs to take some responsibility when this has become such a systemic problem, but ultimately professional players should not be making as many errors. Pressure is building on the players, confidence is low, and there are some bad attitudinal signs from some individuals (e.g. Newman, Lisone etc).

Yep. Frawley's intercept pass - was kindof unlucky because the vision was there and Handley would have been away. It's always dodgy trying to pass in contact though and the Saints defender spoiled the pass, 12 point turnaround result. That's not RS's fault.

Roberts knock-on was catastrophic too, and he does have those in those in his game. However, he isn't a winger and has played way more games than RS would ever have intended at this stage.

There were plenty of other errors but those two above for me started the rot. Generally speaking, the coach isn't responsible for players being offside / dropping the ball cold / missing individual tackles. It is worrying that the players he has signed are some of the main culprits though, and that's ultimately what might cost him the job.

Cas is a good fixture for us next. We are a better side than them, so it comes down to a bit of luck but mostly desire and attitude.

I think the team need to react like they did (funnily enough against Cas) after the two nillings. If they don't play with that intensity Id say he's lost the players, it's going to be very interesting in how they play on Saturday.

The players should not be let off Scott free either, there was some pathetic showing from some senior player in that second half against Saints, it's not all on Smith here.

You've put it perfectly there Jim, it is the cake along with other short cut plays that underpin his whole philosophy and when the team can't execute often enough they lose confidence amd revert to looking lost. look at the revolutionary approach of ben and Chris walker at the Jets, that'd didn't translate to first grade and neither of them were offered head coach position in the NRL. Smith forme is in that same mould, wants to reinvent the game but the basics done well will always win out.

You’re welcome…

The players are gutless, the coach is clueless, and the owner is brainless.

The Jets based their system around Cody Walker. Once he went, so did the system, and no NRL team tried to replicate what they did.

There are glimpses of how Rohan wants to play, and it’s exciting. However the current bunch are not good enough to implement it. Needs at least 3 quality signings imho…..

You need to underpin that brand of "eyes up / play what you see / off the cuff" rugby league with some actual structure.
You cant just lob the ball around like a grenade with zero respect for your position on the field and before earning the right to play, its moronic.
Without structure when the chips are down you can fall back onto good line speed, hard tackling and even the 5 drives and a kick to clear your lines, we dont want to do any of that, we dont want to move up and tackle, we dont want to string together sets, we just want to chuck the ball around regardless of field position real dumb rugby.

When it inevitably fails like it has done multiple times over two seasons weve nothing solid to fall back on, players get frustrated, lose concentration and start making more and more basic mistakes or even wilder risker plays to make up the shortfall. I agree theres certainly a player issue that weve had to deal with constant squad injuries and disruption that also havent helped, but the coach sets the tone and the players take the lead.

Surely the coach should be able to coach the players to do the basics under pressure and ensure the players are fit and have the right attitude. It seems on all these fronts Smith has failed.

I agree injuries are disruptive but why do we get so many are the players fit enough to withstand the rigours of elite football? Players should be able to tackle, pass and catch - Roberts drops the high ball more than he catches it - that is a core skill coaching issue. Short drop outs - again who suggested this?

Attacking structure and attacking plays - surely that is a coaching issues - allowing the attackers to come to you - again that is a coaching decision. Yes the players should do better but the coach needs to provide a platform for that to happen.