Re: Smith out ASAP : Mon Mar 25, 2024 2:13 am  

I don't necessarily think Smith should go, and I definitely don't think he will be sacked as long as we're in and around the top 6, which despite the last 2 games, we are currently doing.
It's hardly surprising, though that the knives are out for RS so intensely within the fan base. Our most successful coach ever had a 'please god, go' thread on here throughout his tenure. A large portion of the fan base were also ecstatic when Tony Smith got the England job and would be leaving, a few months later he won another GF. So if public opinion turns against our most successful coaches, we shouldn't be surprised so many want RS gone.

Re: Smith out ASAP : Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:06 am  

I don't want Smith out either. I think he's a better coach than a lot of people think, and I think he's got a plan for the team which will ultimately bear fruit.

But the speed with which people have turned on him this season isn't because we're all spoiled etc, its because we're coming off the back of an awful season, and started with a lot of hope that things would be much better due to the huge outlay on players and replacement of much of the dead wood. Sadly some of the fears that were expressed in the off season are starting to look worryingly real - lack of size in the pack, questions over Frawley's ability and Momirovski and Fusitua's fitness. We've played reasonable sides so far, but are averaging just over two tries a game, of which a couple were Handley specials which cannot be relied on every week.

On the plus side we look like we have a massive amount of improvement in us, especially if we cut out the errors and the forwards play more like the first half vs Sts last week. Hopefully our fears will turn out to be unfounded. Glass half full and all that...

Re: Smith out ASAP : Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:34 am  

ArthurClues wrote:

Attendances at the opening three games have been very good. Averaging about 15k despite pretty ropey weather. This forum (much as I like it) is not representative of the average punter who goes to a game on a Friday night. Let's face it, people who tend to come on here like a good moan - and that’s putting it politely. I would wager a very high % of posters have long since ceased to be regular paying customers and largely follow the game via TV. None of that alters the fact that the next three games sre crucial for Smith. All are winnable, and with a largely fit squad, Smith should be winning them. Two fairly close defeats against Saints isn't the end of the world, but wins against Cas, Wire and Hudds are required to show an exceptable level of progress.

All very valid points Arthur as usual and hopefully we see improved performances and start winning which will calm the Smith out frenzy. All that said I am concerned that we don't appear to have made any discernable progress under Smiths tenure in what I would consider to be the key areas that we were lacking regardless of the playing roster. The passive defence that allows opposition to dominate field position! No clear structure to our attack how long can we continue to be an Off The Cuff team.
Consistently unimaginative kicking game! These issues have been there for the last few years. We have a new squad now and they deserve time and a run of games in better conditions to see how they go before we make definitive conclusions on them.However the points I have highlighted are the coaching areas that you would have expected to have seen progress. We keep talking about bad luck and inconsistent referreeing which is true but we need to address the basics that are within our control.
I hope Rohan starts to do this but I need to see some evidence in the next few games. Its not just about finishing in the 6 its also the way you play that suggests longer term you can develop further.

Re: Smith out ASAP : Mon Mar 25, 2024 7:29 am  

KaeruJim wrote:

I may be in the minority on here but I still think RS is some way off being sacked, unless he wants to leave.

His fate will largely rest on the recruitment done under his watch. Miller looks very good but has errors in him. Mom isn’t fit. Frawley has question marks over his quality for a top SL side.

Smith does have some good talent coming through but if his new signings don’t work out he will be under serious pressure.

I’m still saying we’re a top 6 side if we stay reasonably fit, on paper.

His fate will rest on results Jim, regardless of how well his signings have done.
He can't turn round and blame players he hasn't signed.
Not that he will, but that can't be an excuse.
He has to show that he has the ability to coach a team to deliver performances and results, regardless of where the players came from.
But I agree, he'll be here until the end of the season.

Re: Smith out ASAP : Mon Mar 25, 2024 7:34 am  

Tell you what.
As much as we moan about the predicament at Leeds and whether Smith is up to the job.
Just look down the M62 and FC under Uncle Tony if you want cheering up a bit.....
We're nowhere near as bad as that.

Re: Smith out ASAP : Mon Mar 25, 2024 7:59 am  

It's odd that within a few weeks of arriving Smith turned around a poorly performing team and there were some nice plays in there too with the quick tip back on the inside to support etc. No sign of anything like that now, shift it wide and hope something happens and if we can't blame the ref. The next few weeks are the sorts of games we have to win to make the top 4/6. I hope the weeks off we will get now are going to be put to good use on the training field.

Re: Smith out ASAP : Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:03 am  

A good coach should have the ability to spot the weaknesses in the opposition and use tactics to exploit them.
He should also be able to change the tactics during the game if things are not going well.
Also early in the season its important to play to the weather conditions.
Not sure if Smith has shown any of that this season so far as seems to be the same style of play and tactics each week.
We have improved defensively this season but the attack had been no better than last year

Re: Smith out ASAP : Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:16 am  

Leading up to our last grand final appearance we won 11 from our last 13 matches. A superb achievement. Since then for whatever reason Smith seems to have lost his way.

Re: Smith out ASAP : Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:19 am  

Simmo71 wrote:

Tell you what.
As much as we moan about the predicament at Leeds and whether Smith is up to the job.
Just look down the M62 and FC under Uncle Tony if you want cheering up a bit.....
We're nowhere near as bad as that.

It’s not enough that they are worse. More interested in us competing. Not enough to just be top 6 either. Think a club like Leeds has to aim much higher…….

Re: Smith out ASAP : Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:26 am  

Before we had kicked a ball this season, most on here were saying lets judge after 12 games, new spine has to bed in, half the side are strangers and unfair to judge too early. 5 weeks in and the knives are out. Sit back and reserve your judgment as you proposed at the season start.
Am I happy with the progress so far, of course I'm not. I'm also not going to throw anyone to the wolves this early