Credit Where Its Due.

[newmanj]

I have been a critic of Brian Smith in the last 2 weeks, however, i will say i am quite impressed by some of the changes. Good to see. I still believe he should go, but at least this is a sign that he is battling to save his job. Maybe, just maybe, he can win some of us over again.

I must say though, that Ben Smith is an absolute necessity in first grade. Dean Widders is a stop gap measure at best.

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

i feel exactly the same way.

unfortunately, there is a good chance that come tomorrow Rugby League Week might have some very unsavoury quotes in there from myself (not sure if they were going to run it or not, although it seemed to be the case when I spoke to them yesterday)

having seen the gutsy team changes made, i have decided to move into a nuetral position on the matter, and give Smith credit where it is due.

 

[Parraren]

I won't go as far as to say he deserves credit (yet) for the changes as I think alot of them are 2-3 weeks overdue and others are simply due to injury (Petersen). I will however give him credit if he manages to get the boys up for a much needed win on Sunday given the amount of changes that have been made. It's a smart move by Smith because even if we lose, there won't be as much pressure on him because he's at least giving some young guys a chance in first grade. Most of us will be happy to see some of the young guys progress over the next few weeks regardless of the results. His hand was forced IMHO.

 

[Hurriflatch]

To be honest Smith shouldn't need to do anything to motivate the players any player who isn't jumping out the their skin to put in 150% doesn't deserve to play 1st grade.

 

[CrazyEel]

Regadless of whether his hand was forced or not I am bloody pleased he has done it. At least it gives us a base to build on without those egocentric non performers. Peterson, Langi and Dykes never to return and Morris really needed a wake up call as well. The only one he really let off is Vella, maybe next week for him Good on ya Smithy!

 

[El Diablo]

Yes, I'm giving him credit for making changes. I don't know much about some of them, but it surely must be step in the right direction.

 

[strider]

Well I think you have to give him credit....he's probably under more scrutiny right now then EVER before - the safe option would be to leave the experienced guys in the top grade and hope they do what they should be doing....I think it shows plenty of balls to be dropping dykes and morris at a time like this.

 

[Eels Dude]

I gave him credit last week for making changes and it didn't work out. I commend the fact he's dropping seasoned campaigners and his favourites, instead opting for some young bloody. Smith must be feeling the pressure and rightfully so. Let's hope he grabs us a win this week.

 

[Parraren]

The thing is, and i'm sure you can all acknowledge, the problem with our first grade side is alot deeper than simply team selection. Our side not only lacks motivation and determination, we appear to play without any real concept of team work and team play. We look and play like a bunch of individuals who have just been introduced to each other out the back of the Parra Stadium car park. We appear to lack any set plays or set moves and just run sideways "hoping" for something to happen, yet nothing does. Our defense is woeful.

Team selection is a start. Letting players know that inept performances will from now on (finally) be punished with demotion into reggies also helps but ultimately Smith needs to do a HELL of alot more work on the abovementioned stuff if we are to improve as a football side. He won't be getting any credit from me until he does so. Any fool can come up with a team sheet, it's what you get out of the 17 blokes on the field that counts. Don't mean to be negative, that's just the way I feel.

Regardless I'll be out there at Leichardt cheering my lungs out, hope to see you guys there too