What Andy said.

When I saw the centres he'd named for the squad my initial reaction was WTF? Then I stopped and though about what his alternatives were. Unlike some, I didn't post until after I had stopped and thought.

Discussion about his selections/tactics is fine. I've done plenty of it on this very thread. But the bile certain posters reserve for him (saying he's only picked players because of club bias, he has no tactics etc) is frankly a little embarrassing.

That's just it though in manys opinion that he "isn't" working with what he's got.
It's his selections after banging on about the future and picking on form he clearly doesn't?????????
I agree about the clubs producing more quality in bigger numbers but when he makes statements like the above and then selects sykes,myler,bridge and L.smith it doen't add up.
That alone gives people the idea wether right or wrong about club bias and ego!!

Typical of the criticism levelled at Tony Smith - offer some alternative selections who have had better years than those he has picked.

We'll see how many of them are Leeds players before we touch on the concept of club bias shall we?

High quality post

Be funnier if it came from someone who had actually touched a girl before in real life...

I am not sure what else Smith could do I would go with the following

1. Owen
2. Shenton
3. Ellis
4. Smith
5. Hall
6. Sinfield
7. McGuire
8. Morley
9. Diskin
10.Graham
11.Gilmour
12.Peacock
13.Burgess

Subs
14.Carvell
15.Roby
16.Eastmond
17.Crabtree

I personally would not have Tomkins anywhere near this side - I think the Aussies will destroy him tomorrow - this is the big league.

We will not beat the Aussies by free flowing rugby the only chance we have is to control their forward motion and beat them in a tight game.

To do that we will have to defend like the Kiwis did last week hence Ellis and Gilmour to defend on either side

We need a boring structured attack hence Sinfield at 6

Pity Owen isn't selected for me he is the most exciting young player in SL.

Plank.

I agree with your sentiment, but too many players out of position for me.

Our strength is in our forwards, so we should not sacrifice some of them to plug other gaps. Ellis has been bashing the Aussie forwards all year, so has to play in the pack. I'd sooner use Gilmour there.

The truth is that the available players are not good enough in enough numbers. There is not a decent centre partnership with some major flaw.

So you think the current England team would give you great sex, with some persuasion, but you'd want to sh*g their sisters?

Absopositively yes!!

Just checking.

It's like sharing a forum with Oscar Wilde. I'm so glad you're around to brighten my days with your witty repartee.

Enjoy me while you can!!

Is that what you said to her sister?

Pointless talking to her, the drugs had kicked in.

He got photographed with her...

[url=http://www.ofah.net/images/VanDoll.jpghee hee[/url

So you think myler has been the form 7 this year over burrow and Brough or deserved his start before Tompkins??
Shenton should be picked over Senior or even Gilmour??
Sykes i won't even go into this one it speaks for itself if he's picking on form then he shouldn't be there.
He stated re-Brough that he wouldn't be interested in players that switch"countries" yet he selected ireland pair Harrison and Bridge.
The club bias accusation clearly comes from the Myler selection over Tompkins and Burrow who on form are clearly ahead of Myler.
I'll be more than happy if England win and prove nearly everyone wrong but when a coach states himself he's picking "on form" and for the "future" then selects the squad he has then criticism and differing opinion on that squad is warranted nd expected.

I dont necessarily agree with Smith's selections, but Myler has had a far superior year (form wise) to Burrow and Brough.

Shenton too has been the 2nd best English centre in the competition this year.

Therefore if it only comes to form his selections there have been correct.

Although as I posted on a earlier post, IMO it should not just come down to form at this stage.

I think you'll find Myler hasn't played since july when his form drastically dipped when the speculation about his future started.
Plus he must be some super-star to have played better than the both of them on half a years form and certainly didn't warrant a starting spot over Tompkins.
Shenton although started the season brightly has been no better than Senior OR Gilmour over the whole season.

So rhinoms you got any thoughts or feelings on who should be playing tomorrow?

Briscoe
Hall
Senior
Smith
T.Briscoe
Mcguire
Tompkins
Morley
Roby
Peacock
Ellis
Gilmour
Sinfield

Graham
Burgess
Burrow
Crabtree/Carvell.

Has he?

OMG things are bad.

You asked if he had been the form 7 for the year, over Burrow and Brough. He has been the better 7, with only Dobson having as equally good year, who coincidentally also let his form drop at the back end.

I dont dissagree with you on Senior or Gilmour. And I made my feelings known earlier in thread that I thought Pryce should have been one of the centres.

But you talked about form, which although not my over riding criteria in picking international teams appeared to be yours. And on that basis you could not argue with Myler and Shenton.

No JJB or Burrow???



Wunt have Gilmour anywhere near it - Westwood offers enough moronicism for our England team. Surely that would be taking a huge step back? What about Paul Johnson as utility man on the bench??