If the RFL ok it, he will return to Saints to play for them in the play-offs due to there half back injuries. No official source as of yet and it does depend IF the RFL give it the go ahead.

Was he not on a season long loan? It all depends on what was classed as a season in the contract.

I think it runs from November to Novermber IIRC?

Can they not keep him?

Its a win win for me, he'll get to test himself @ playoff football and comeback a better player which will benefit us next season.

I just wish somebody would pull him and tell him when attacking the defencive line take a extra step and a half and draw out the defensive line rather than just shiping the ball on as soon as you get it.

Sort this part of your game out and you'll be a international in 3 years. dont and you will be probably playing for leigh

Good move for Matty Smith

It will improve his game and the Reds will benefit by this next season.

GOOD LUCK MATTY...

Agreed

Luke Robinson was guilty of this during his spell with the club. You have to draw the defenders in then release the ball at the last split second. OK you may have to endure a few big hits but does it matter if you put someone through a gap?

story here [url=http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=18948Smith Poised for shock saints Return[/url

Whatever you think of his merits playing for Salford ( [iLoaded question for some [/i )
This must feel good for Matty after being surplus to requirements at the start of the season .

Hope he gets to play some part , It'll be a quiz question and a half if Saints make it to Old Trafford.

After all this he's not even been picked in their initial 19 man squad?

What are their other half-back options? Roby with Wilkin moving to 6 perhaps?

If Lomax is fit he'll play 6 with Scott Moore at 7 I would think.

If Lomax is ruled out, Smith will play.

I think part of the problem is the speed of his passing action isnt very fast so the few times he's attacked the line cut back and released the ball the defensive line is up and is able to intercept or knock the ball down.

I surpose its like telling a miner how to dig for coal in a way, he does it every day saying that he does strike me as somebody who is willing to learn and adapt just need a dvd of him handy and a magic pen to highlight it at a forever Reds meeting when he comes down

If you have had two players suffering with an identical problem could it be that the coaching is a bit off in that area rather than the players? Just a thought.

Smith did very well for us in 2007 when he helped to steer us to the Grand Final, only to be dropped for a not at all fit Longy (and we lost anyway). He's had two years experience since then.

My own thoughts are that Potter will only play him if Lomax isn't fit. Eastmond will not play either way and Pryce is out for the remainder of our season now.

Personally, I hope he gets a shot at it. We can lose this game if need be,, although none of us wants to obviously! But if we do then at least he will have had a go with the Saints team of the present day and will have some further practice and training ready for the knock out stuff the week after.

.

I have to admit I find it very odd that there isn't a rule banning bringing in new players for the play offs be they from other clubs or who are already out on loan.

Though for me you'll see if Smith has what it takes to work with better players around him now he has matured since he was at Saints in the playoff series. I think Smith is a good scrum half but I have doubts if he is the long term answer and do have a sneaky feeling that we'll have a real star name at #7 come the first game in the new stadium.

There is a rule but Saints asked Salford and the RFL for an exemption to it. We aren't bringing in a new player for the playoffs; we're bringing in a player who has been on our books since being a youngster because we have no halfbacks left as we go into the playoffs.

Has he not signed a contract for Salford?
If he has, does that only come into play once this season is formally over?

He's on lean until end of Nov, our player from Dec 1st

my Missus says I should go on that and I might lose a bit of weight

Felt a little bit bad of scott moore last night!

was speaking to him after the testimonial and he just said he wasn't even picked in the squad for tonights game!

I think it's great for us that matty is in the saints line up but surely saints would be better with someone who has been playing part of there squad and know all their plays ect.....

But one thing for sure, I will be shouting for saints during the play offs now matty smith is playing!!!

St HELENS --------------- WARRINGTON WOLVES


1) Paul Wellens FULL BACK Richie Mathers (1)
(30) Jamie Foster WINGER Matt King (3)
(3) Matt Gidley CENTRE Chris Bridge (4)
(5) Francis Meli CENTRE Ryan Atkins (23)
(2) Ade Gardner WINGER Chris Riley (2)
(12) Jon Wilkin STAND OFF Lee Briers (6)
(34) =REDMatty Smith SCRUM HALF Michael Monaghan (9)
(10) James Graham PROP Adrian Morley (icon_cool.gif
(9) Keiron Cunningham HOOKER Jon Clarke (15)
(15) Bryn Hargreaves PROP Garreth Carvell (10)
(4) Iosia Soliola SECOND ROW Louis Anderson (11)
(13) Chris Flannery SECOND ROW Ben Westwood (12)
(11) Tony Puletua LOOSE FORWARD Ben Harrison (13)

(14) James Roby SUBS Richie Myler (7)
(17) Paul Clough Paul Wood (16)
(22) Andrew Dixon Mike Cooper (1icon_cool.gif
(25) Jacob Emmitt David Solomona (26)

He appears to be steering Saints round the park at the mo.

Having a blinder so far, hopefully he'll be better for us next year with a stronger pack.

different coach different player, an hour gone and he is running the show