Jezza : Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:34 pm  

How's Jeremy Smith been going for you lot?

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:15 pm  

He took a lot of stick when we were losing games and looked to have been branded with the scapegoat tag in the same way Dorn was 2 seasons ago.

Started well in the first game against Celtic with 2 nice try assists but then his play dropped after that - his kicking game hasn't been the best and his tackling has left a lot to be desired at times (although he made 30+ against Warrington on Friday) while he also made quite a few handling errors in games earlier in the season.

Over the last two weeks he's looked a lot more confident with improvements in his kicking, especially his attacking kicks. I like the look of him when he runs at and across the line but we need players to be looking to hit the gaps for him in support because I think he could set up quite a few tries.

I have to admit I was apprehensive when he signed from Souths, given he was about 4th/5th in the pecking order and I'm still not completely sold on him, but I've seen improvements that would suggest he can be a pretty good player for us.

: Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:13 am  

I'd say overall he's gone quite well so far (however I know most on this forum won't agree with me). When the team were getting hammered he was having a tough time but I stand by my comments made at the time that it's a very tough job for a half to influence a game in which his pack is being bullied off the park.

In the last 3 games as the pack has stepped up to the plate & bossed games, we've seen Smith come to the fore. He has an astute kicking game near the line (a part of his game that I'd admired at Souths) which have yielded tries in the last 2 away games and his passing has been smart too. As a downside, he could do with more work on his defence, he's made some shoddy tackles on a number of occasions.

: Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:51 am  

The main problem early was was his defensive play, the forwards were not setting the platform and he was ineffective. The overseas players now appear to have settled in and are starting to show why they were signed.

This being Salford we reserve the right to revert to our old style anyday now

Re: Jezza : Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:59 am  

Rooster Booster wrote:

How's Jeremy Smith been going for you lot?

Up to now JS has been Hot & Cold, but it's clear to see he will prove to be a good player for the Reds in the coming weeks ahead.

: Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:57 pm  

He is still a work in progress but has become more influential the better the team has played. I think we will see the best of JS in the later part of the season when he really settles in.

: Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:09 pm  

I thought his defensive work against Wire at home on Friday was outstanding.

: Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:25 am  

Fatboys Limb wrote:

I thought his defensive work against Wire at home on Friday was outstanding.

Correct and I ponited this out to fans who were around me who were still unsure, for me he was MOM against Wire.

: Fri Apr 17, 2009 6:45 am  

I was impressed with his workrate V Wire.

: Sat Apr 18, 2009 8:26 am  

The Black Cat wrote:

Correct and I ponited this out to fans who were around me who were still unsure, for me he was MOM against Wire.

I disagree, Rtchie Myler has to get motm. Its the law. In all seriousness though Jezza did have a great game on Friday. His defence was good. Some half backs are only as good as the rest of their team and with players running off him he'll come good I tink.