Didn't Smith have personal reasons for moving to London which contributed to his decision?

Yes. PERSONALLY he thought he'd be more famous living down there.

IIRC at the time he announced he was leaving he was still in a relationship with Verity Rushworth, who had left Emmerdale and moved to London to pursue a stage career.

Setting aside your obvious personal agenda for one second (has he shagged your bird or something, you do seem very intent on making it personal rather than professional?), is it not just possible that his move to Union was at least partly motivated by wanting to be closer to his then girlfriend?

Smiths form overall has left him wide open for critics to take a swipe at him since his return from union. He hasn't produced the goods, I think that is fair to say. I'd also question his level of fitness as well, and he's been back well over a year. So I thought at the start of this season we would have seen a stream-lined, cutting edge, Lee Smith. That didn't happen.

But what makes it worse for Smith is the better, younger others, have evolved and made him look dated.

Watkins and BJB (Hardaker to a lesser extent) look lean, strong, quick, skillful, playing well and catching the eye (they are a look to the future which Leeds need more than ever). Whereas Smith looks no-where near any of those adjectives.

I was nodding in agreement until I read that.

Are you seriously suggesting that Smith only upped his performance for big games so that he could be more of a celebrity?

And if only ever turned up for big games, how the heck did he ever get picked to start in said big games?

I agree that he has lost his way a bit over the past 18 months but I wouldn't consign him to the reject bin just yet.

All you've done there is reinforce my point.

What you're saying is that Lee Smith's actress Girlfriend got a gig in London, and he went down too so they could become the next Gavin & Charlotte.

This guy is without doubt a poser of the highest order, and in the game for all the wrong reasons.



That is EXACTLY what I'm suggesting yes.

And to answer your second part... because the coaches know that he's likely to turn up. He's undoubtedly talented. He does have the ability. If you, as a coach, know that he's likely to put a good game in, then you'd pick him.

McDermott, for all his faults, does seem to be a no-nonsense sort of bloke, and it seems to me that he's seen straight through Smithy and is rewarding the other players who are clearly putting a lot more work in.

Riiiight - so when he was a 17 year old kid coming through the Academy at Leeds, his sole motivation for doing well was so he could shack up with an actress and become a celebrity?

Despite this obvious lack of any work ethic you keep referring to, successive coaches at one of the most successful clubs in the competition continued to pick him in a number of different positions, resulting in him earning international honours.

One of the highest profile clubs in English rugby union then saw enough of him to offer him a long term contract. When that didn't work out, his former rugby league club was quick to step into the breach and bring him back.

No, clearly the opinions of all these people who have worked with him on a daily basis are completely erroneous and only you know the real Lee Smith.

Why not start Smith at Wembley then? He's sure to play a blinder if he knows he'll make the third from the back page of the Sunday Mirror.

He's good. I'm not saying he's not. I'm just saying that his motivation for being good isn't the same as that of say, Kevin Sinfield.

People are motivated for different reasons, but that doesn't make them not motivated. Coach's have clearly been able to see that he was motivated and talented and thus have rewarded said motivation and talent with opportunity.

Well done Fieldhead for bringing this thread back from incorrect assumptions, and back on track

Aaaaahhh I see. So when Heather Small moved to London, and Edwards went to London, it wasn't related to his relationship, it was because he wanted to be a big time celebrity..

And when Andy Farrell moved his family down to London to be near his son it was because...

No, just in Smithy case.

HTH.

Sometimes flower you do yourself no favours at all. Just because thoughts enter your head you don't have to make the public.

Nail, head etc.

Though he is a very, very hand reserve for positions 1 to 5.

Unless he improves the areas you mentioned in your first paragraph I don't see him being first choice 1 to 5 for some time, barring injuries.

Just clarify something for me petal, what favours is it that am I supposed to be doing myself?

Well, you could start with a cucumber and a jar of KY Jelly, but if you need more instructions it had better be via PM.

I might just have to PM you. I'd love to know how an expert does it.

Without the KY jelly. I like the friction. But you have to work up to that.

Sounds more like the player he was set to replace at Leeds before Brent Webb arrived.

To call Smith lazy appears to fly in the face of the evidence of his appearances for Leeds prior to his move to Union.

His whole-hearted enthusiasm and 100% commitment was one of the redeeming features to make up for a general lack of size and pace to become a top quality modern outside back.

I'll grant you his form since his return has been disappointing and at the moment he doesn't come close to a first team spot.

Agree Tvoc.

Same. Smith was a whole hearted player who carried the ball often and abve his weight. Used to be very tough to put down and whilst wasn't extremey quick, wasn't a slouch either. He is now looking tired, lazy and easy to tackle. Not sure what's happened to him but he's not the same player.

Good point ref: carrying the ball above his weight. There would be many times he'd see there was nothing on down one of the channels so he would flick to 'drive mode' and just batter the ball forward regardless of who was in front of him. And he would also fair very well in the actual contact, he seemed to bounce off alot - regain his feet and momentum and carry on. He showed guts and drive. He will need to dig deep again.

Rumours abound Smith has signed a 2 year deal with Hull KR due to a cock up in his contract? Any news your end?

i wouldnt say its impossible, especially given Webbs new extension. Hope not though.