If they have no skin in the game for next season then it doesn't matter who the coach is if the player is that way incined and, due to injuries, almost guaranteed selection.

Short term it really feels like something has cracked, among supporters if nothing else, and Smith cannot just keep on doing what he's doing.

Personally, and I know I'll probably be shot down for it, but if I were him I'd tell both Hooley and Sinfield they're going to play the next 4 games unless they get injured or have utter mares (Hooley at KR style). Its quite simply time for a change, and picking players in proper positions. Giving these guys a game now and then leaving him out for the rest of the season, or maybe one more game just isn't going to help them develop, or show anyone if they are up to it. Myler can suck it up and sit on the bench for a few weeks, or alternate with Austin. we know what both of those can do, and more importantly what they can't.

I'd also tell Handley (if he's pushing for it) that the only way he'll play full back again is if there are injuries, and rejig the threequarters - get Martin out of there for starters and move Macdonald across if needs be. He can play centre, and we need more attacking threat than he can offer on the wing. Basically stop the 'best players regardless of position' stuff and try to get as close as we can to players in the positions they are currently best suited to.

The other thing he should do is just cut the nonsense out of the gameplan. Focus on position, possession and defence. Not passive defence, but aggressive, stop the yardage defence. Its RL 101. If some of our forwards aren't up to that then they shouldn't be in the team.

Not sure what else he can do otherwise. There's very little chance of a run like last year, this season is done. It all has to be about trying to get some decent performances out of the team for the rest of the year and ideally find out if some of these squad players are actually any good.

If there are seriously any players who are messing about because they are leaving, then just don't pick them. It would only weaken the team on paper, not in reality.

I don't know if this is the case, but the body language and effort would suggest something like it. I agree that they'd be no loss on the field however.

There is no way Lisone,Hooley or MacDonald would be at Leeds without Smith's input - he has coached all these players in the past.

So so sick of this. Here’s a tip, if someone’s a good coach, you’re aren’t left wondering. They’re able to polish a turd.

It’s not “we need to wait until it’s his own team”, its “look what he’s doing with these players, imagine what he’ll be able to do with his own ones”.

Smith isn’t the guy. We are crap under him because he’s not a very good coach.

Wire were in the same position last season. What if they had taken the same line with Powell? I'm not saying things will work out in the same way, no-one could possibly know that. What if it does, though? But what is clear is that if we pull the trigger now, we are right back to where we started and still no guarantee of any improvement. Ultimately the powers that be need to decide.

Trajectory. Chart a graph of the respective teams’ form under their coaches. Wire’s was basically a straight line of nothingness last season, upturn this season. Smith’s rose rapidly last season, but has dropped (and is droppING) rapidly this season despite having a pre-season and recruitment.

If Powell was as inexperienced as Smith, had a short-term upturn then preseason and proceeded to produce what they did last season I imagine wire would have gotten rid.

Also, powell’s team were just playing poorly, they weren’t using flawed tactics. Smiths ideology is flawed.

If progress in professional sport was always linear I'd fully agree, but it's not. RS is inexperienced at this level, that is true, but that doesn't negate a reasonable policy of giving him the mandate to clear the decks and recruit if the board some 12 months or so ago thought he was the right choice. Will it workout? No guarantees, of course, that goes without saying, but what's guaranteed is that calling time now means it definitely won't. The question for the decision makers is do they have faith in their choice of head coach or not? It's a question to which the answer has ramifications way past RS's future.

They apparently gave him 5 years. So think that answers that one…..

since when do contracts mean anything? pardew had a way longer one at Newcastle and got sacked. you only get one years salary as compensation no matter how long you have.
the question is do you trust him to oversee a major recruitment drive and take the club forward.
the answer at the moment is a resounding no

New coach

New tactics

A captain

Half backs

That’s what we need

Simples

Anyone read Smiths response to the captain question in the YEP? The man talks in riddles… bet the players are confused as hell. We need one strong capt on the field with a vice capt

Have you not realised that hes a certain way with the media since hes been he, doesn't want to give too much away etc, imagine hes completely different with the team.

That isn't true at all.
If someone has a contract for 3 years and you want to end it they are entitled to the money unless you can prove breach of contract.
Many agree to a payoff to just go but they don't have to.

Of course you can just sack them and stop paying them but they can just take you to court for the money.

Yeah i get that but what he's said about the Capt situation is actually what he is doing on the field with the team... its muddled and wishy washy and it's not working.

You are correct. People tend to ignore or fabricate facts, to promote their own agenda….
No way GH is paying off a 5 yr contact now!

It was a 3 and a half year contract, I think.

fabricate? unless managers/coaches in football and RL are different its 1 year, as was the case with pardew. there was a podcast from the athletic where agents spoke about it.
they must be liars too I guess.....

That would be the case if early termination is included in the contract. Which it may well be in standard coaching contracts.

I couldn't tell you. just caught the podcast where they said it was standard procedure to get one years compensation. thought it was a bit odd as you might as well just sign one year deals. but I'm not expert on that stuff

Its not quite the same as one-year deals, as if you perform you won't get the flick. A few companies I've worked for use similar structures.

The club is in the entertainment business - something fans seem to forget - this is not life or death its a game meant to be a form of relaxation/deflection for the hum drum of everyday work/home life.

As such the club has done very well to build up the largest social media audience of any rugby club in the world. It needs to use that opportunity to communicate effectively with its customers.

That for me is not a grovelling apology but better information as what is driving these terrible performances and an understanding of Smith's coaching ethos. Smith needs to engage with the clubs customers in explaining how his radical style with in the end yield results. He is a poor communicator at the best of times - out right rude at the worst.

Customers need to a reason to keep spending the money - what good is happening what is over the horizon.

What they don't need is - the only communication they get from the club is buy this new shirt we have released - only the 5th this season.

Comparing Smith with Powell is pure nonsense. Powell experienced SL coach v inexperienced novice coach who did the job with a Sunday league team.

I didn't compare the two coaches. I likened the situation we find ourselves in to that faced by Wire last season. Them pulling the trigger would have clearly meant a very different season this year. Their Board backed their appointment decision. Will ours do the same? To not do so would have wide reaching implications right to the top of the club.

As for nonsense - you mean you disagree with me, which is fine. It's an opinion forum after all.