Re: Smith : Fri Apr 01, 2016 9:59 pm  

There is carrying a team on their own and then there is basic game management. I see teams get beat by 30 or 40 points but never see the last tackle options I saw tonight by the losing side let alone having props and backrow forwards kick the ball on the last tackle.

Re: Smith : Fri Apr 01, 2016 10:20 pm  

jonh wrote:

Might be a tad controversial but I don't see the Sutton potential. Big lad, looks the type to bully his way through junior rugby and be lauded as the prop of the future but for me another Bibey.

More then a tad I'd say. That may well be the most insulting thing I've ever seen written about a player comparing him to Bibey

I've got to admit I was frustrated with him at times last year because I thought he'd started to drift and he wasn't putting in the hard yards but I think he's been excellent recently and is really starting to kick on. I thought all the props gave it a good dig tonight tbh.

Re: Smith : Fri Apr 01, 2016 10:24 pm  

I wouldn't say Smith is being asked to carry a team on his own. It's not like we've been hopeless this year. Until tonight our defence has been outstanding, we've had games where our pack has dominated the opposition and we've barely put any points on the board despite so much pressure. That's where the criticism of Smith is coming from. Tonight things were tough for him, but there have been plenty of games where we've been on the front foot and he's been putting passes to ground, putting in ineffective kicks and generally making poor last tackle plays. I know it's difficult when losing a halfback partner but he wasn't exactly thrilling anyone last season either. O'Loughlin was in line to play prop this year and yet has moved into the halves and shown creativity and passing far beyond anything Smith has shown in his time at the club.

Tonight we did have the ball near their line on a few occasions and they were continually let off the hook by poor kicks from Smith. It's not like the team is preventing our playmakers from making smart kicks because Powell and O'Loughlin has produced several. Even Bateman, Farrell and Joel Tomkins have surpassed Smith's current level of kicking in recent games.

At some point he's got to take control. It's not like he's under a huge amount of pressure. He's playing for one of the top sides, alongside a very good passer and one of the best players in the league, with three England internationals in the back row and a fullback who is starting to pick out some very good passes.It was arguably harder for him when he was at Salford but he actually impressed for them. At the moment he seems to be failing to cope with the responsibility. I really hope he can start to take control of games and improve his decision making.

Re: Smith : Fri Apr 01, 2016 10:43 pm  

Smith will only improve if we bring in a specialist halves coach like Andrew Johns at Warrington. He's clearly deteriorated since Deacon left Wigan and the club have failed to replace him. No longer worthy of the cherry and white.

Re: Smith : Fri Apr 01, 2016 10:51 pm  

Tonight was the first time I started to think we should be considering a Tomkins/Williams partnership when they both recover.

No way around it - that was a desperately poor performance for a Wigan 7. In all areas- passing, kicking, running, defence and leadership.

Re: Smith : Fri Apr 01, 2016 11:02 pm  

I would have settled for Smith putting in a decent last tackle kick in the second half, letting Wire start the set from their 20. I'm sure he threw a long looping pass to a forward (who had to kick it) on the last tackle four or five sets in a row. We were chasing the game and had half a chance to get a result and he looked to completely lose his composure...unless he was injured and didn't feel he could kick!

I've been a fan of Smith for a while, but he needs to get back to basics. Forget game management and leading the team round the park, he needs to focus on finding the man with the pass and putting a decent kick in at the end of a set. It's a worry that this is aimed at one of our most senior players and not a young lad!

Re: Smith : Fri Apr 01, 2016 11:10 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

Tonight was the first time I started to think we should be considering a Tomkins/Williams partnership when they both recover.

No way around it - that was a desperately poor performance for a Wigan 7. In all areas- passing, kicking, running, defence and leadership.

We are so flat and very few runners which gives a Smith very few options. He also appears to be very close to the ruck on all ptb situations which again limits our options.
A new 7 wouldn't fix everything but for me is part of the rebuilding required.
We have no shape and devoid of any flair which unfortunately has to be attributed to Smith and/or the coaching.
Tonight was no different since Green left so for me a new 6&7 combination is a must but won't happen this season as ST I think will revert to FB.

Re: Smith : Fri Apr 01, 2016 11:29 pm  

I'd happy to ignore those who say Sarge can't pass, and give him a go in the halves. Tierney will do the job at f-b. Really, this can't go on all season, can it? BTW I was very impressed with Gregson; thought he showed some great touches and put in a good shift, and the other lads were fine as well.

Re: Smith : Sat Apr 02, 2016 12:24 am  

PurpleCheeseWarrior wrote:

We're a disjointed team at the minute with all the injuries and players playing out of position so I think it's a bit harsh to make Smith the scapegoat like always. Thurston would struggle to organise that team.

You're having a laugh, Smith wouldn't get a game at Pats. If we had JT we would not have been beaten this season.

Re: Smith : Sat Apr 02, 2016 12:27 am  

jonh wrote:

I understand the issue of being beaten in the pack and on the backfoot but that does not excuse his terrible passing accuracy under no pressure, his average at best kicking game and his continued failure to take control of his team since Green left.

He is supposed to be an experienced senior player, he offers nothing.

Green made him looked good. Even behind a dominant pack he is very poor.