Lee Briers

: Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:24 pm

I think if Smith can find a way to challenge & motivate Lee Briers, then he still has a lot to offer this club. Whilst at the same time, Smith can develop areas of his game, defensive options that he takes etc, then we might yet still be to see the best of Lee Briers. Sean Long isn't the same lethal finisher that he was 5 years ago, and there was a time when his form dipped, it looked like he may leave Saints, even come to us. What Saints managed to do was sell a different role to him within the team, for him to change his game and he's thrived as has the likes of Pryce and Long has arguably in terms of all round game produced his best stuff, just not perhaps his best individual stuff, which was perhaps when the legs had a yard more pace.

I think the same could be for Briers, physically, he won't be as quick as he was in 2000/2001 doing that Nikau runaround, and dancing through, but in terms of the cliched 'first yard in your head', he's still better than most. I reckon we could get a better team orientated Briers than ever before, guidance, leadership, kicking game etc if he wants it. The fact that Smith made a fuss of him post match, suggests that he's indicated in some way that he's willing to put the work in.

The thing that Smith evidently wants, is for you to do your shift in training, look after yourself, do the right things, eat, sleep, drink etc. If Briers wants to extend his career, and have an Indian summer like Long has done for the last 2-3 years, he's very capable, it's kinda the ball in his court so to speak.