Given the contract situation, Smith's first aim has to be to forge a side greater than the sum of the parts. For whatever reason, we're lumbered with one that is less right now. Once that's done he'll be better placed to assess the essential departures.

The problem being if he doesnt act quick then essential recruitment options will be limited with us picking up scraps

that would be murrayesque although with harris, blackmore, godden, mcdermott, powell, morley glanville , neewton , jackson
did have some better parts to work with before improving st hilaire , sheridan , farrell , fleary , hay --- we were fortunate have settled sides for 2 yrs that could become a unit and play to a plan
which old dogs can he teach new tricks or youngsters take to another level

will he have much say in recruitment ? he should but will he?

Yep, totally. All I'm saying is that his hands will be tied to some extent. Some players have been so p*** poor that moving them on before their contracts run down might not be do-able.

That's a really good question.
Players that to me look like they could be improved by a decent coach are Newman, Smith, Leeming, Bentley, Gannon...not many old dogs learning new tricks in that list, now you come to mention it.
Im not delving too deep here, there are other fringe youngsters that common sense suggests could be added too.

Lets give Smith a bit of credit he has been herë for 2 matches and probably watched videos of the rest. The contract scenario will dictatë what he can do in the short term. There is no point speculating about anybody currently contracted beyond this season as unless they wish to go or get a better offer which is unlikely based on performance they will be at Leeds.
As such the available cap will be the players departing so probavly Briscoe Mellor Broadbent Dwyer and Thompson.
Question marks then over Martin and Austin. Throw Hardaker into the mix as well. In terms of overseas players we will definitely have at least 2 slots as I think he will only keep 2 of the above players. I expect signings from the secondary competition in Australia which is fine as he should have a good knowledge of the standout players. I also expect a slightly smaller squad. Even with the players departing if hardaker resigns you could argue we only need 3 to 4 plyers to replace 6 outgoing. Better to take a bit of time than dive in and blow the available cap. There may be potential deals in Australia all ready lined up by Smith. He will know what players he would want from over there if cap space is available.

Good to see O'Connor has signed a new 3 year contract, he seems to always be improving

Austin is apparently contracted for next year. Personally im happy with that

you'd be happy with jane austen maybe it's to play 2nd row where he makes his runs and get rid of martin and upset all martin's fb fans - underwhelmed with oconnor too as unfortunately not got his fathers genes