Smith is not the player he was since his return from Wasps. Also there are stories that McD does not rate him highly. Things change but the indications are that he will leave. Then BJB to fullback. Also that rumour of Webb swapping with Kevin Locke seems appealing but it will never happen!

But as rhinoms stated the mcshane leaving as he wasn't rated by mac resulted in a new 4 yr deal.
The truth is none of us know what's going on within the squad

Agree with this entirely. Smith also had the knack of putting in his best performances in the really big games.

Apparently, on his return, he had the highest body-fat index in the squad. He's going to have to work really hard to get back to his pre-yawnion form.

Would not mind this at all to be honest, look to the future and move BJB to full back, hopefully Smith can regain some form next season and prove the doubters wrong. However, I think Hardaker is the better centre out of the two and would have Smith on the wing.

I dnt think putting bjb at FB is the answer he has looked extremely suspect under the high ball all season made a hash of a few kicks in the grand final i would rather get smith fit and see how he goes

Webb to Warriors sounds daft and illogical with Locke being the incumbent FB.

IF Webb does go then I'm in the Smith to FB camp. Give the lad a chance to prove his worth with an EXTENDED run in the position.

I agree BJB looks a little suspect under the high ball. Hardaker would go well there, but that is because he is an exceptional talent who would go well in any back position ( inc stand off

). Watkins too has played FB. Plenty of options.

i see DP was saying that hardaker could play at the highest level at SO, he certainly has the footwork, pace, and remember earlier in the season when he scored twice against catalans, when he was coming infield looking for the ball, and turning to my bro, and saying the kid would be a great 1 or 6 in the long term.

I think we'll make one more signing but like everyone has already stated we should only do so, if he is of the right quality

Why give Lee Smith a "stab" at Full Back ??

He has shown to be more than capable when he plays there. Seem that he is not being given a chance with your (now) "Super Coach".





Time will tell !

I have no idea why the head scratching? I said give smith a go there and you seem to agree?

Yes sorry Ferdy - it has been a long day

But I really believe that Lee Smith has been given a raw deal from this Coach. If Lee was given a real chance; then he can play either FB, Centre or Wing. Apologies again Ferdy - I will read your posts in more detail mate

No worries just confused with what I had put!!!

Agree I like smith at full back and I know he hasn't been the same since return from rah, rah, but particulary in his last game of regular season I thought he looked good and would be more than happy to see him at FB

Smith has e ability ,we all know that .Tony Smith knew how to handle him 2007 it looked like Smith was a goner,Smithy made him water carrier ,not even on the bench,it was just the kick up the backside he needed .If he went anywhere I wouldnt be surprised if TS took hime to Wire

It shouldn't require a coach to drop a player for them to know they're not playing well. Players also know better than anyone else how fit/unfit they are. Smith is old enough to not need hand-holding in either regard.

Whilst Smith hasn't had lots of opportunities this season he hasn't taken the opportunities that he was given. In his present state he seems too slow to present a threat at either full back, wing or centre and doesn't give a big defensive display to make up for that lack of attacking threat.
Now I wouldn't necessarily advocate getting rid of him because he's useful backup and I don't think 1 poor season is reason enough to get rid of a player but unless he really turns around his physical attributes and his form then he'd be well behind the likes of Watkins, Hardaker, Jones-Bishop, Webb, Delaney & Ablett for a spot in the team. And I certainly wouldn't be happy going with him as first choice full back in his current state, if Webb were to leave.


Got to agree with you there, Brisbane.

If there is anything in this, what about Webb going over to be McClennan's assistant?

Both Webb and Leuluai look like their bodies aren't really up to it now. Their early success at Leeds relied on being very physical (less so for Webb, but he is getting battered virtually every other time he returns the ball), and I wouldn't be surprised if either decided to go early after the way this season ended on a high. Both players have younger competition lining up to take their places and I reckon if the right offer comes in we could see a 'Magnificent 7-esque' U-turn from either in the vein of Donald, Diskin etc.

BTW, this is pure speculation.

WRT to Lee Smith over the year's he's had ample opportunity to nail a threequarter spot and has failed to do so.

He's provided great service in a utility role and had some very big performances in big games but he's rightly well behind Hardaker, BJB, Hall and Watkins in the pecking order now.

If Webb is not full back I'd much rather see BJB there than Smith.

I also sense, and this is complete speculation, there are attitude issues with Smith these days. I'd like him to stay as cover for the threequarters but I suspect he won't be happy with that role.

I'd like to see Webb gone, and Smith handed the number 1 shirt full stop.

If he is given the run and it isn't working for say June time, then we revert to BJB at fullback. Personally I think Smith will be back to his best, given a run in that fullback spot. He produced the best fullback performance out of the players who played fullback for Leeds this season gone, and this despite according to some looking unfit, overweight, and not in the right frame of mind.

At the risk of being called a Gotcha groupie...again I agree wholeheartedly with this.

Smithy has done nothing since his return from RU, where he was pretty quickly found wanting. If he is to have a future in League, then I reckon he will have to move clubs, and show his new coach some of the 2007 Lee Smith. For me, Wakey would give him that opportunity.

It could be that he is one of the players whose development plateaus at a fairly early age in his career, and he simply never kicks on. Maybe he's happy just to take the wage he's on for a couple more years, without being too bothered about claiming a spot at Headingley.

Either way, despite his utility value, he's well down the pecking order, and pretty much a fringe player, and wouldn't be that much of a loss to the squad.

And before the BJB groupies get all excited, there's a hell of a lot of close season work to be done before he claims Webby's shirt.

Which big game was that in?

Smith at Leeds' first and foremost goal should be to get in the team. Never mind handed a solid spot.

The only time he started a game at fullback last season wasn't it?

Wakie IIRC?

He was solid, like the other 16 in a heavily one sided game.

Not the best game to make big decisions on? How many games did Smith play after that commanding display? Indeed.

There was plenty of other games last season against poor sides where others played the role. I still didn't see another individual display from fullback as good as that one from Smith.

Quite correct to say not one to make big decisions on, but when you only get one starting chance in that position it's the only one you can judge the player on for that role. If we then go back to previous seasons before that, we then see quite a few man of match awards in that role, including a GF winning MOM.

Judging his centre displays last season to determine whether he should be given a fullback shot is just wrong.

If you're going to go back to a one off game in 2008 why not go back to several games in 2006 when he was given a run in the position after Mather's injury? IIRC he lost the jersey to Jordan tansey by season's end.

Of course you're entitled to your opinion but I saw nothing but slow, cumbersome, underwhelming displays from Smith last year including that exhilarating game against Wakefield that has whetted your appetite. He completely lacks the pace, excitement and hunger that the younger players who are ahead of him have shown and I saw nothing to think he merited a jersey ahead of those that finished the season 1-5.

Agreed. Though the coaching staff doubtless have greater insight into fitness and attitude. These may be the factors that explain why LS hasn't featured more frequently.