Until Smith gets a free shot with the OQ and frankly ridiculous money we spent on both Tetevano and Sezer's wages on the assumption they are both Marquee players - he won't have had a chance. He got us to the GF last year - his talents are clearly there.
It is very difficult to make a poor side play well when you inherit another coaches ideas and infrastructure.
The flip side is that Saints have a decent squad and its very easy to roll on success when the bones of the squad are there 1, 6, 7 and 9.
Leeds got it badly wrong with Dwyer (we havent had a proper hooker since Buderus), Sezer (made of glass), Tetvano and Fusitu'a (see Sezer).
It boils down to poor recruitment.
eg we need a centre, We have Newman but he's been really unlucky. Thats it, thats the only proper centre we have.
Wigan managed to pick up Wardle AND King late last season. Why weren't Leeds all over that?
We have half backs and wingers at full back. Back rowers in the centres. Back rowers at stand off. Loose forwards at hooker.
We all know Smith is patching holes - but the club need to look at how those holes have been created.
I was speaking to my Wakey mate this morning. They are now on 2 point chasing Cas. Cas have 6 points - 4 are from playing Leeds.
2024 needs to be a blanks slate.
If Leeds has signed Luke Brooks, NOW is a good time to get that announced.
