Its not individuals though, its the team as a whole. There are some pretty fundamental things which are just poor, meaning we have no foundation. The lack of structure, which looked wonderful in 2022 as it freed players from the Agar shackles of dullness, is just ebbing confidence. This is the same as last year, as there is nothing to fall back on when the going gets tough. Everyone ends up looking for someone else for miracle plays, and the wrong players start making decisions, generally bad ones.
Add this to a pack lacking in punch both yardage and defence - which is where a lot of our problems start - and a stratospheric dumb error count, and it really is a hot steaming mess.
I cannot see how Smith shouldn't be judged really quite harshly now. We're about a third of the way through the season and look worse than at the start. We've also got a worse record after 9 games than last season, which included a win at Sts. The problem isn't new players learning each other's play, its the basic stuff that any team, even average ones, need to be able to do.
Time for Smith to go now for me. He hasn’t got it in him to turn this around and nor should be given a chance to. Win/loss record must be about the same as Agar with significantly more investment in that period.
Big question is who to replace him with. Hope uncle Tony hasn’t packed up yet? Wane? Tell Brian Mac all is forgiven? Probably just let Chev have a go…
Joined: Dec 29 2005 Posts: 2244 Location: with the barefoot girls
Once were Loiners wrote:Its not individuals though, its the team as a whole. There are some pretty fundamental things which are just poor, meaning we have no foundation. The lack of structure, which looked wonderful in 2022 as it freed players from the Agar shackles of dullness, is just ebbing confidence. This is the same as last year, as there is nothing to fall back on when the going gets tough. Everyone ends up looking for someone else for miracle plays, and the wrong players start making decisions, generally bad ones.
Add this to a pack lacking in punch both yardage and defence - which is where a lot of our problems start - and a stratospheric dumb error count, and it really is a hot steaming mess.
I cannot see how Smith shouldn't be judged really quite harshly now. We're about a third of the way through the season and look worse than at the start. We've also got a worse record after 9 games than last season, which included a win at Sts. The problem isn't new players learning each other's play, its the basic stuff that any team, even average ones, need to be able to do.
That is a good summary of where we are under Smith. I believe that our squad is much better than they are showing under Smith. Individualy we have some quality players, but he failed last season, and so far this season to get them playing together and the excuses have run out for me. He should have gone last season.
Woody: Can I pour you a draft, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: A little early, isn't it Woody?
Woody: For a beer?
Norm: No, for stupid questions.
Anyone who cant see how fundamentaly poor we are just dosnt understand Rugby League, its shambolic, chaotic Rugby, and the exact opposite of proven successful rugby league
He's got his team now, and its soft, mistake ridden and mentally fragile.
The lack of a winning culture, mentality and toughness is obvious throughout the club
Some of his signings and re-signings have been woeful
But GH will be loathe to admit he got it wrong, we'l most likely beat hull and London to paper over the cracks, and we'l be stuck with him
As I said on another thread beating those two teams next proves nothing. Can he get the team to win in France and at Saints week after? If so then he starts to make amends but Smith is on thin thin ice
Joined: Dec 22 2001 Posts: 17138 Location: Olicana - Home of 'Vark Slayer
The Eclipse wrote:Not one player has improved under Smith, in fact they have all gone backwards.
Handley is significantly better but that is more.down to himself.
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Joined: Aug 09 2011 Posts: 1906 Location: Deepest North Yorkshire Woodland
Wait until the end of the season then get rid. Also his assistant coaches. Big problem the mess he will leave behind, also is Hethrington capable of appointing his successor. After all Smith was his choice. Looking at his post match interview he may decide enough is enough. Finally some of the players need to take some responsibility for this shambles. Some of them need to take a long hard look at themselves.
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