Early tip: Sandow won't see out his contract

[Poupou Escobar]

Some might argue that he is a knob but I don't buy for a second that he has no idea about the modern game.

I wouldn't either, except that something Brian Smith once said stuck with me. He criticised commentators, specifically including Sterlo, for portraying a poor understanding of the 'modern' game (this was in the late 90s). His example was when commentators complained about the forwards needing to get back to help their wingers and fullbacks ruck the ball out after a kick. Smith said that "wingers, fullbacks and some centres" were the best in the game at making metres, running from dummy half. Obviously a couple of years later Brian Smith's Eels set the record for points scored in a season, largely off the back of dummy half running. And then the NRL changed the rules again.

 

[Avenger]

I wouldn't either, except that something Brian Smith once said stuck with me. He criticised commentators, specifically including Sterlo, for portraying a poor understanding of the 'modern' game (this was in the late 90s). His example was when commentators complained about the forwards needing to get back to help their wingers and fullbacks ruck the ball out after a kick. Smith said that "wingers, fullbacks and some centres" were the best in the game at making metres, running from dummy half. Obviously a couple of years later Brian Smith's Eels set the record for points scored in a season, largely off the back of dummy half running. And then the NRL changed the rules again.

I'd take Smithy back in an instance if Stuart walks/sacked in 2014.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I don't think you are a dumb merkin. I actually think you make some great points but please you should not always argue about everything and change your mind to suit a specific argument. You will get exposed every-time. My memory is too good.

Mate you've got nothing. That's why you resort to whinging about me and just throwing insults around.

You've tried arguing logically and you were exposed like Portuguese chicken.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

And vice versa.

f**k your eyes.

 

[Avenger]

Mate you've got nothing. That's why you resort to whinging about me and just throwing insults around.

You've tried arguing logically and you were exposed like Portuguese chicken.

:lol::lol::lol:

f**k you Opouporto.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

2005 was a weak comp.

What was weak about it? Were there a few teams missing?

2009 we played maybe the best side in NRL history-Who where over the cap(and we almost won)

True, but how strong was that squad? About as strong as the 2010 Roosters I reckon.

 

[EelsFan05]

f**k your eyes.

So much hate in this one. You're extra cranky tonight. Someone forget to collect their suits on time again at work?

 

[T.S Quint]

Poupou's new nickname - Oporto?

I believe you mean Nandos?

 

[Chipmunk]

I wouldn't either, except that something Brian Smith once said stuck with me. He criticised commentators, specifically including Sterlo, for portraying a poor understanding of the 'modern' game (this was in the late 90s). His example was when commentators complained about the forwards needing to get back to help their wingers and fullbacks ruck the ball out after a kick. Smith said that "wingers, fullbacks and some centres" were the best in the game at making metres, running from dummy half. Obviously a couple of years later Brian Smith's Eels set the record for points scored in a season, largely off the back of dummy half running. And then the NRL changed the rules again.

We were beaten in the 2001 Grand Final with virtually this exact tactic.

 

[Chipmunk]

I believe you mean Nandos?

Maybe they will rename the sauce PeriPeri to Poupou

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I'd take Smithy back in an instance if Stuart walks/sacked in 2014.

I'd say in some ways he was the greatest coach in the history of the NRL, but he had some fatal flaws.

Like pete said the other day, Smith didn't so much choke as overachieve with teams that had no right to be playing finals football.

But that means his teams weren't strong enough to cope with the extra pressure of a big game against the top players. So Smith's teams choked.

Those teams would all have fared better with a couple of stronger players/leaders, but Smith wanted nothing to do with those guys, or they wanted nothing to do with him.

I reckon Smith would have been the best for rebuilding this club these past few years but the only NRL team he has coached that ever went on to win a premiership was the Dragons, fifteen years later, with Bennett in charge, against Brian Smith in the decider.

 

[Gary Gutful]

I wouldn't either, except that something Brian Smith once said stuck with me. He criticised commentators, specifically including Sterlo, for portraying a poor understanding of the 'modern' game (this was in the late 90s). His example was when commentators complained about the forwards needing to get back to help their wingers and fullbacks ruck the ball out after a kick. Smith said that "wingers, fullbacks and some centres" were the best in the game at making metres, running from dummy half. Obviously a couple of years later Brian Smith's Eels set the record for points scored in a season, largely off the back of dummy half running. And then the NRL changed the rules again.

Not many people have a better understanding of the game than Brian. Even though he sounds like he smokes 100 Laramies a day I enjoy it when he speaks to the media about the game. He was very good on ABC Grandstand.

 

[EelsFan05]

I don't know if all of Smiths teams llacked leaders. Our team in the late 90's had some good leaders in it, Pay, Smith, Dymock and McCracken.

 

[Avenger]

I'd say in some ways he was the greatest coach in the history of the NRL, but he had some fatal flaws.

Like pete said the other day, Smith didn't so much choke as overachieve with teams that had no right to be playing finals football.

But that means his teams weren't strong enough to cope with the extra pressure of a big game against the top players. So Smith's teams choked.

Those teams would all have fared better with a couple of stronger players/leaders, but Smith wanted nothing to do with those guys, or they wanted nothing to do with him.

I reckon Smith would have been the best for rebuilding this club these past few years but the only NRL team he has coached that ever went on to win a premiership was the Dragons, fifteen years later, with Bennett in charge, against Brian Smith in the decider.

Is he a little old to return to coaching ? I think he is 59.

 

[T.S Quint]

2005 was a weak comp.
2009 we played maybe the best side in NRL history-Who where over the cap(and we almost won)

There were 16 points separating first and last place - a record if I remember correctly.
Top six separated by only 6 points.
This is the closest comp in the history of the NRL.

How exactly was it a weak comp?

 

[T.S Quint]

Maybe they will rename the sauce PeriPeri to Poupou

That's just what happens after eating it.

 

[Someone]

I'd take Smithy back in an instance if Stuart walks/sacked in 2014.

+1

 

[strider]

There were 16 points separating first and last place - a record if I remember correctly.
Top six separated by only 6 points.
This is the closest comp in the history of the NRL.

How exactly was it a weak comp?

well u could interpret it either way tbh .... was everyone good? or everyone bad?

 

[Avenger]

There were 16 points separating first and last place - a record if I remember correctly.
Top six separated by only 6 points.
This is the closest comp in the history of the NRL.

How exactly was it a weak comp?

and Denis in his wisdom saw that the best thing to do was give the job to Hagan who just finished with the spoon and not give Smith an extension.


IDIOT

 

[bartman]

Yes, Hagan wasn't the most inspired choice of replacement following Smith's 10 year contract.

I think it was time for Smith to move on, but we should have had a better replacement. Hagan is still miles ahead of Kearney though, with a 51% win record at Parra... we really hit rock bottom in those Kearney years, and we're still recovering.