Got to say, although he seemed to step up a level at the start of this season, I've never been a massive of fan of Smith's. His kicking is far from the best and his form has dropped off lately. To freshen things up, it may just be worth dropping Smith for a few weeks. Thus allwoing the coaching staff to have a good luck Sneyd, who has an all round better kicking game, and give Smith a kick up the back side. Smith will struggle to get a contract else where if he's not in the shop window.

That's simply not true

It's mid season at Salford it's almost a tradition ..
I'd like him to stay , but think like previous Halves he's used Salford as a shop window .
Until salford have the finance / fan base to spend more this will always be the case.

It's difficult to assess his ' form ' his pack had given Smith & Holdsworth room to play at the start of the season , now mid way through with knocks & injuries the pack are struggling to dominate and the fluency has gone + a bit a confidence , without a league win since 25th March.
Hard to shine when your pack isn't giving you a platform to get the plays going.

A dare say the fact that he still hasn't signed a contract will have diverted him mentally. but don't believe he would ' do a Myler' .

If the offer on the Table isn't to his ( Agents ) liking , he goes and we move on , it's not like we've not been able to find a replacement.
Robinson-Myler-Ratchford--Smith.

Luke Patten - urged Salford to pursue a homegrown recruitment drive , and deals like the ones offered to Owen & Fages points to a sea change in the attitute .

Salford pushed out the boat in 2010 for Patten , with money that would have been better spent this season marketing and attracting fans to the new Stadium .
I don't believe we can afford high profile Aus/NZ signing like Patten now. and 100K type senior wages have to be used wisely.
No disrepect to Smith . I'd rather we invested in a top quality prop that could protect his Half-Backs & give them room to play then give the youth a go.

Like I've already said on another thread, I wouldn't break the bank to keep him. Yes he plays behind a beaten pack every week, but for me he doesn't offer enough on a consistent basis. His kicking game is poor and he doesn't really take on the line, he tends to play at first receiver and find Holdsworth on a wedge play. Also he doesn't have the support play of a top class halfback.

He try's his best and gives his all, which is all you can ask of anyone. I just think we wouldn't really miss him if he wasn't here, Sneyd possibly deserves a chance to see what he can do next season. If we spend money on improving the pack then most halfbacks will perform well behind a strong pack, that's where my main concerns lies.

We also need to get Danny Williams signed up asap. I know he's had a couple of injuries, but the guy is a class act when on form and can finish from anywhere. He also makes good meters coming out of yardage (more than our forwards most of the time).

I wonder if Smith’s agent is holding out for much more in the knowledge that Patten’s departure is likely to free up some money in Salford’s budget? If he is I think the club has to be strong because for me you could not really say he’s improved that much or at all since he signed his previous contract with us. Any saving on Patten’s and others contracts should be allocated to bolstering the pack in my view.

If another club are prepared to pay Matty more then I’d thank him for his services and wish him all the very best.

Also if you Consider the club have just signed the highly rated french kid Theo Fages on a 5-year deal it suggests they see this lad as the next scrum-half of the team in the not too distant future.

well the only club who have offered more are Widnes, I don't think Bradford will be offering more unless they have an appeal every month to pay the players.

Where have you heard this?


Just on the point of sneyd it's ok playing well in the u20's but it's a massive step up to play first team week in week out behind a beaten pack when all your kicks are defensive seen as the forwards don't get out their own half with 5 tackles! Also matty smith has set a record for playing the most consecutive games not 100% sure whether that is in the entire sl or just salford I think it is getting on for 70 in a row. You can clearly see when he is on the pitch how much it means to him to win and he gives his all every week no matter what that is all we ask for so maybe it's time other players did the same and maybe we would have a better chance. I can't see why people are getting on his back though because without dominant forwards there is no platform to play.

It's not a record, it's just the longest current run in the league. He's some way to go to catch Stuart Littler's 163 consecutive games.

I may have been mistaken then. Apologies!

And speaking of Stuart I saw this on Twitter:

"Big cheers from the Leigh fans. Scrap breaks out and Stuart Littler floors Ryan Bailey. #rugbyleague"

Made me smile

but back on topic - IMHO Matty Smith is a class act when performing in a successful team - unfortunately of late we're not one!

Chill out Matty, no ones getting on your back



Seriously he does show a bit of passion and I like that about him, but breaking the bank for him isn't right for us at the moment IMO. We need to get a pack who lay a platform, otherwise we'll always be struggling no matter who the half are. I'd happily keep him, but just not for the reported sum.

Smith would be superb for us behind a dominant pack. However, can we afford to keep him and spend money on improving the fowards as well? If it came down to a choice would rather spend the money on the pack personally.

I think smith has been one of our best players this year and last. Not sure why it is that he gets a hard time off so many people

It's not that he gets a hard time, he just blows hot and cold. Some of it is him, some of it is a weak pack. For the money, we should be looking at improving our forwards. We have talented replacements should he leave.

I don't think anybody is really having a go at Matty, his early season form was good and he always gives it his all.

I think it's more to do with the fact that some people on here believe that every player has a price and the club shouldn't spend more than they should to keep him. The point being made is If the club have more money available due to players coming out of contract, it could be more wisely spent improving the pack rather than giving Matty more money just to keep him.

I would also imagine that with what Matty's already being paid (He will not be on peanuts) the club could replace him with a half decent halfback anyway if he chose not to accept the clubs offer. I would not be surprised if they already have a replacement lined up to cover this possibility.

Just playing devils advocate but he didn't look to great when he played for Saints in the GF against Wigan with a somewhat better pack-not a superstar just a decent player who has some very good (but not often enough) days

dont rate him never have!as for dj dont no how people can slag him of he sets most of our try up we would b bottom of table without him!check the stats out u will c x

[iIf he stays thats OK by me.

But no one is bigger than the club and if he can get a better deal at another club then fair play to him..WE MOVE ON....[/i

Don’t rate Smith myself for a scrum half he doesn’t create enough and his kicking game is awful. He has improved since his first season with us, but I wouldn’t go offering him anymore than what he’s on now as I honestly don’t think there would be any difference if Sneyd took his place he certainly wouldn’t create any less than Smith and he has a better kicking game something we desperately lack. Im not saying Sneyd will do a good job but I’d like to see him given a chance. Like others have said I’d rather it be spent in the forwards. Smith couldn’t break into Celtic Crusaders squad that tells a story in its self.

Don’t get me wrong I like Matty & love his enthusiasm and determination but that doesn’t justify a new bigger deal, I could play for Salford and have enthusiasm and determination but It wouldn’t make me good enough.

Obviously playing behind a beaten pack doesn’t help and as stated he is to inconsistent, wouldn’t mind him as a squad player but that’s not a luxury Salford can afford im afraid. Money better spent elsewhere.

[iBy the sounds of it Matty Smith will be a Widnes Vikngs player next season.

The word is he has been offered a massive three year contract and Salford City Reds can't match it!

Good Luck to Matty in what ever he decides is best for him.[/i

menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... SS+Feed%29

menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... SS+Feed%29

Decent player, but rocked? Hardly.

Definately wouldn't break the bank to keep him. Hope we give our youngsters a go and sign some BEEF up front.

I've always liked Smith, always looks like he's giving 100%, shows some spirit on the pitch, and on his day, can be a very good scrum half.

BUT, if Salford are to achieve anything, with the limited budget we have, then we can't afford to pay over the odds for anyone. It's obvious we need to spend in the forwards, so if Widnes are offering more than the considerable deal Salford have offered, then let him go. I'd hope the club force the decision now though, so we're not shopping in the left over bin come the end of the year.

That's all we do every season,get who ever is left over,that's why we are at the bottom,or near the bottom,every year.