I think we all know that this is going to take a few years to fix from when we actually start properly. We’ve had false start after false start since the end of the goldens, so it’s understandable that people (me included) can be impatient at times.

We cleared a fair chick of dead wood off last close season, and I’ve no doubts we will do again this, but getting the cap back under control is only solving part of the problem albeit a big part.

We need to be seeing the 21-25 year old local and British lads getting regular game time as they will be our future not the 30+ year olds who will be gone in 12 months or so. We built our last success on a great crop of young British players, sogning other top British players, and a sprinkling of good quality O/S players who added quality and experience. This is what we need to do again.

My only beef with RS, who I think is doing a great job overal, is that we are ridiculously inconsistent on the field and I think in part that’s down to playing a style that this bunch of players are incapable of.

We should continue on the journey with him for sure, but he also has some adjustments to make.

Be interesting to see how many away games we win this season. Can’t see this lot winning many. I’m at a loss as to why we seem so flat at the start of every game, even more flat when we’re away (saints the exception). It’s either down to the head coach or the poor attitude of players… or both ! But it needs sorting.

I'm away so didn't get to the game.
But this is a familiar trend. We're consistently inconsistent.
We're in a battle for 5th to 9th with HKR, Hudds, Salford and Leigh.
Unfortunately at the moment, we look the worst out of those teams.
I'm sure I'll be accused of being pessimistic, but this is where we are.
9th would be a dreadful season given the squad we have.
This squad should be capable of top 4, but we'll be nowhere near there.
So, there must be a problem with either motivation and attitude, or with the tactics.
Sadly mostly down to coaching.
Teams have worked out how to play our system and are countering it with high energy and fast starts.
Not sure I buy this 'innovation' stuff touted about Smith.
The game has been played for well over 100 years - the basics are fundamentally the same.
He's done a good job with the squad, but this is a results business.
If we do finish 9th, I'm not sure he'll be here next season.

Just opinion but we're too easily outcompeted in the parts of the game that hurt. We're coming unstuck against a variety of sides more up for it. For a load of the better sides over the years, it's the system players who bring the desire (oh no, I'm turning into Tez

). Quotas may or may not; many seem to turn up on the basis they're being paid to do a job. Maybe I expect too much from our own crop. Maybe I'm just p****d off at wasting an evening. Or maybe, hopefully, I'll be singing their praises again next time out.

We’re not in a battle for 5th to 9th just yet, look at the table, were 2 points behind the 4th placed team.

The table at this stage can change quickly.

In terms of philosophy it seemed that contested restarts were going to be a major feature now this has tailed of to just the normal instance when far behind and the clock ticking. Let's hope this passiveness is a philosophy that goes the same way. It might have worked with a group he had relative the the competition at the bears, but not here. Persist and he will be gone in time which for many other positive aspects would be a shame.

Think there are at least 4 high earning players who should not be offered new contracts next year snd we need 2-4 key players in.

Interesting comments from Smith regarding Sinfield, saying he is ready for Super League now and just awaiting his chance. Well lets not wait any longer, Sezar simply doesn’t want to know, and is likely gone by end of year

I think the international break has come at a good time for us, Wane won’t pick many if any Leeds players so it gives the players and coach a couple of weeks to regroup and refocus.

If Sezer is injured I agree it’s time for Sinfield to get a go, it’s likely both halves will be gone next year (i think Austin will go home)

I think we’ll be looking at a whole new spine next year, Ive got a feeling we’ll go for a fullback and two new halfbacks.

For once our Pack looks ok which was a priority to sort, now onto the other positions.

all coaches in every sport have a way they want to play. the best recognize when something isn't working or needs modifying.
I see a stubbornness in smith that he will carry on regardless of something working or not.

He said last night the issues are something he needs to fix, we’ll have to see!

the issues have been there since game one....

Our issues are not through lack of effort. Just need to bed in now over this enforced break, stick to the process, and to use a very popular RL expression ‘get back on the horse’.

I do think Smith has a stubbornness and its his way or no way.
But that was similar to McDermott and if left to get on with it Furner.
I also agree that Austin does try his best and most of the time does the work for Sezer who rarely takes hold of the game.
I hope we do not play Gannon in the halves and let Sinfield have a run of 4 games to see what he can do with little expectation to take off the pressure.
I don`t like Martin at centre and I certainly don`t like Bentley as the back up hooker.
Both are second rowers and need to play there.
Myler for me is still capable this season at FB and I much prefer Nene in the centres.
Forwards are big enough to dominate now so the rest is down to the coach on how they play.

We probably over achieved last Season after Smith arrived, which has raised expectations this year. Even so this year has been a disappointment so far. The signings we have made have improved the squad and the prospect of Smith having a full pre season to work with them, made for an optimistic start to the year. Sadly we have failed to deliver little of the form we showed last season.
The pack looks good on paper but still makes little ground at times compared to the opposition, partly due to a lack of urgency in defence.
Both halfbacks should be replaced at the end of the season but for now I would like Sinfield to be given a chance.

You'd think. Are they demanding carries or just as happy to see it shipped wide? It is down to Smith but we also need a couple of them big men to step it up a level.

How did Daryl Powell and Ian Watson get on in their first full season in charge? Both those were tasked with a similar job as Smith

Powell is missing a few players now and doesn't it show.

It's not looking good for any of the youngsters is it when you compare with Wigan and St's who have faith in youth.

I don’t think there is any need to panic. Personally if we reach a final this year I think we’ll be over-achieving - the squad is shaping up but it isn’t there yet.

Things can change very quickly and we could go on a run with the dry tracks of Summer. We’ll see.

We won’t get relegated this year but when we are carrying some well-paid seniors who aren’t consistent we’re unlikely to do anything.

There's no sign that this team/coach can put a string of wins together not one single player who can turn a game like Jp,Mags,or Shinfield if they don't start putting more pride in the shirt they won't make the playoffs blah blah etc etc.

They struggled in there 1st year, hence why I thought Smith over achieved last season raising expectations. I expected us to look slicker than we have on attack after a full pre season together, didn't you?
We have a better squad than last season but so far have generally performed worse than the back end of last season.
I do believe we have a lot of improvement in us and in no way would I write us off yet, I was just expecting a bit better by this point. Maybe you were not.

I dont think people are as frustrated with the losses as they are the manner of those losses.

Always the same issues that never seem to get fixed.

Passive defence,no possession or territory, poor choices / silly mistakes.
Compounded by odd team choices/ playing those out of form,dropping those doing well.

Teams know we start slow so they are hitting us hard to maximise the effect

Holroyd, Gannon, McDonnell and O’Conner would disagree. Walters, Tindall, and Johnson have also had games and in Walters and Johnson’s case are not far away every week. Sangare too is still on the young/raw side.

I think there’s stuff we can complain about atm but I think that comments unfair.

I hope you’re correct, Christopher. I’ve never knee jerked in the past. I think Rohan’s horribly out of his depth, and me wanting to believe won’t change a thing.

Yes I think that’s fair.

In terms of the question on which players are ‘phoning it in’ my worry would be Sezer, he’s been very much a passenger. If he’s not going to get a new contract I’d imagine that’s going to get worse.