I think Smith has toughened up the core team performances so we're much less likely to capitulate in the ways we did under his predecessors.
The spine is threadbare right now with Leeming and Austin gone, and Myler injured. Even if we had them all back, we'd have experience and more competence but not the spine of a top 4 team.
I'd like to see how Smith does with his own spine. At the moment it's only really O'Connor that is a first choice Smith player, and I reckon there's a lot of improvement in that player to come, especially if he's supported by better spine players than Hooley at full-back (in his second SL game!) and Johnson at stand-off!
But it really is time for GH to signal the club's intent and make a big signing, even if it means clearing the moths from Caddick's wallet and paying the going rate transfer fee for a contracted player. Every now and then a big club needs to do this. Signings like Harris and Peacock in recent memory formed the cornerstone of successful dynasties. This is what the club needs most right now IMO, alongside the necessary surgery and changes to ensure the youth conveyor belt is restarted.
