Smith Signs New Deal : Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:51 pm  

[https://mail2.virginmedia.com/appsuite/#!!&app=io.ox/mail&folder=flhawlw01QOKSZ][/url]

Good bit of business.

Re: Smith Signs New Deal : Sun Apr 18, 2021 7:45 pm  

Good news. I like the timing because it sends the message that he’s the future and he just needs to keep his head down and take the chances he does get this year before he’s likely to become a starter next season. He shows glimpses of his supreme talent but it’s not easy to build momentum and form just grabbing a few minutes here and there. He’ll be a top player in time as long as we give him the opportunities and we will.

Re: Smith Signs New Deal : Sun Apr 18, 2021 8:47 pm  

Good news! I'd like to see him getting starts when we can. We need to know whether he is going to be ready to take over a regular starting berth next season

Re: Smith Signs New Deal : Sun Apr 18, 2021 9:34 pm  

Excellent that he's been re-signed and on a four year deal.
A talent for now and the future.

Re: Smith Signs New Deal : Sun Apr 18, 2021 9:35 pm  

I’m a fan of his kicking game and his game awareness. Think sometimes his decision making can improve but obviously he’s only young. Quite concerned about him defensively but I think this can improve with time and hopefully he fills out a bit.

Re: Smith Signs New Deal : Sun Apr 18, 2021 11:39 pm  

Think he’s improved a bit defensively especially since he got embarrassed vs. Cas away last year.

I’m not a fan of his lack of pace but I guess that’s not as much of an issue in SL. I am not sure if it will stop him from becoming a first grade International player though (hasn’t stopped other players).

Re: Smith Signs New Deal : Mon Apr 19, 2021 6:24 am  

4 years for me is a little on the long side as I think he still had lots to prove.

Thought at times he was great last year but other times anonymous.

Not had a great start to this year but limited opportunities and contract talks may have influenced that.

The fact we have secured his future and can continue to plan his development is a positive.

In the standard Wigan way I also expect maybe one more contract upgrade announcement in the next day or 2 prior to confirmation Hastings will be joining West’s next year.

It’s out predictable soften the blow play when news of a big departure is about to be made.

Re: Smith Signs New Deal : Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:00 am  

jonh wrote:

4 years for me is a little on the long side as I think he still had lots to prove.

Thought at times he was great last year but other times anonymous.

Not had a great start to this year but limited opportunities and contract talks may have influenced that.

The fact we have secured his future and can continue to plan his development is a positive.

In the standard Wigan way I also expect maybe one more contract upgrade announcement in the next day or 2 prior to confirmation Hastings will be joining West’s next year.

It’s out predictable soften the blow play when news of a big departure is about to be made.

I'm wondering whether the timing of this extension may be to do with them anticipating his market value increasing later in the year once he's had more gametime. Right now in sure other clubs are interested, but they won't break the bank to sign him (or drive his price up) and there was probably little NRL interest. Later in the season it may have cost us a lot more to tie him down if he's going to have had a lot of starts by then.

Re: Smith Signs New Deal : Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:25 am  

Great re signing, especially timely with Jackson’s move to West’s all but confirmed too. A real statement that Smith is the future in the halves and tying him to a long term contract is exactly what we should be doing for all our top youngsters.

Re: Smith Signs New Deal : Mon Apr 19, 2021 10:39 am  

Wigg'n wrote:

Think he’s improved a bit defensively especially since he got embarrassed vs. Cas away last year.

I’m not a fan of his lack of pace but I guess that’s not as much of an issue in SL. I am not sure if it will stop him from becoming a first grade International player though (hasn’t stopped other players).

I don't think he's as slow as you think. Do you remember his intercept try from 80 metres (v Leeds?) last year and nobody got close to catching him.