Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Wed Aug 09, 2023 6:35 am  

Cameron Smith kills any fluency the attack has - his involvement in the attack needs to be curtailed and quickly. He is an excellent defender but his delusional state that he is the next Kevin Sinfield needs extinguishing.

On the forward Oldeski has been a huge disappointment this season - his attempt to stop Amone or lack of it was embarrassing - leaving Hooley to deal with a man 5 stones heavier than him two metres out.

Both of these players are sacred cows on here so their actions or lack of them are excused or ignored.

Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Wed Aug 09, 2023 6:57 am  

Zoo Zoo Boom wrote:

Cameron Smith kills any fluency the attack has - his involvement in the attack needs to be curtailed and quickly. He is an excellent defender but his delusional state that he is the next Kevin Sinfield needs extinguishing.

On the forward Oldeski has been a huge disappointment this season - his attempt to stop Amone or lack of it was embarrassing - leaving Hooley to deal with a man 5 stones heavier than him two metres out.

Both of these players are sacred cows on here so their actions or lack of them are excused or ignored.

I agree that Smith stifles the attack at times but I think part of that reason is that our half backs have been so poor. They either don't want to take control or offer nothing when they do. I thought Gale and Lui were a better option than Sezer and Austin.
What makes you believe that Smith thinks he is the next Sinfield?

Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Wed Aug 09, 2023 7:28 am  

The Magic Rat wrote:

I agree that Smith stifles the attack at times but I think part of that reason is that our half backs have been so poor. They either don't want to take control or offer nothing when they do. I thought Gale and Lui were a better option than Sezer and Austin.
What makes you believe that Smith thinks he is the next Sinfield?

It is obvious he sees himself as a ball playing loose forward in the Sinfield style. He wants to be involved in every attacking move without the skill and guile to justify it. He came with a huge reputation i.e. the best youngster of his generation - sadly that early promise has not materialised.

One of the reasons the half backs can't operate properly is because of Smith's involvement. He is a bit like Dwyer - a loose cannon who cannot contribute to the attack in a positive fashion.

Great defender who gives 100% everytime he gets on the field - just reduce his involvement in the attack.

Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Wed Aug 09, 2023 8:33 am  

I think there have been multiple games Smith has had the balance right this year. The last two he has got it well wrong but I’m inclined to say that’s because the half backs aren’t stepping up consistently enough and feels like he has to.

Mik hasn’t looked the same this year I’ll agree with that.

Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Wed Aug 09, 2023 8:48 am  

I thought Smith was the best British forward for the first part of the season, with the possible exception of Havard. His loss of form has coincided with him trying to do all the creative work of the team in the absence of anyone else. Sinfield had the luxury of Burrow & McGuire around him.

Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Wed Aug 09, 2023 10:26 am  

Smith's effective in attack at times but not when he's in the line at 2nd or 3rd receiver. Doesn't have the pace or much of a kicking game; all he can do is shift it on or take the tackle. But in semi broken play around the ruck he can be great. Providing there are runners prepared to rake it in hard and make the effort to pick good running lines of course.

Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Wed Aug 09, 2023 12:28 pm  

tigertot wrote:

I thought Smith was the best British forward for the first part of the season, with the possible exception of Havard. His loss of form has coincided with him trying to do all the creative work of the team in the absence of anyone else. Sinfield had the luxury of Burrow & McGuire around him.

The same people were creating at the beginning of the year as we have now - up until last week. We don't give credit to coaches who have worked him out and that may well explain his lack of impact. They know he is slow so its easy to nullify him - teams take time in a season to get organised e.g. Hull.

Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Wed Aug 09, 2023 1:15 pm  

Zoo Zoo Boom wrote:

The same people were creating at the beginning of the year as we have now - up until last week. We don't give credit to coaches who have worked him out and that may well explain his lack of impact. They know he is slow so its easy to nullify him - teams take time in a season to get organised e.g. Hull.

That's a fair point. But I would say coaches have worked out the team rather than just Smith, which has put more onus on Smith. You had 2 of the most highly regarded HB imports (not anymore obvs) who, apart from an impressive mid-season spell from Austin, have created nothing. Their stats are terrible in virtually every department. Smith impressed me in defence & breakdown, not just attack.

Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Wed Aug 09, 2023 1:33 pm  

I'd say Smith's problems are similar to why our halfbacks struggle - lack of shape and structure in attack. He's got the ability to play the sort of role Knocker Norton used to for Hull, but when he was there Hull played with a lot of shape.

Smith can't be a very effective ball handler if every time he gets the ball the whole team is making it up, because he hasn't got the pace (or alternatively physical punch) to be any kind of threat. The way we play I reckon an opposition defence would almost deliberately encourage Leeds to pass to Smith and then just take away his space as he gets the ball. What's he going to do - run away from defenders? Knock them over and make a break? Or just die lamely with the ball? I think we all know what tends to happen.

Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Wed Aug 09, 2023 8:39 pm  

Once were Loiners wrote:

I'd say Smith's problems are similar to why our halfbacks struggle - lack of shape and structure in attack. He's got the ability to play the sort of role Knocker Norton used to for Hull, but when he was there Hull played with a lot of shape.

Smith can't be a very effective ball handler if every time he gets the ball the whole team is making it up, because he hasn't got the pace (or alternatively physical punch) to be any kind of threat. The way we play I reckon an opposition defence would almost deliberately encourage Leeds to pass to Smith and then just take away his space as he gets the ball. What's he going to do - run away from defenders? Knock them over and make a break? Or just die lamely with the ball? I think we all know what tends to happen.

Yeah agree. Whilst Smith is one of the slowest forwards I’ve seen in the league, he can be a very skill full link, with good structured and pace around him. We definitely need to utilise his assets more…..