I don't know why anyone should be baffled by the improvements. The one thing the coach can influence more than anything is the defensive shape and structure and develop good habits in the players. Smith is a good coach and has sorted it out. We have always had the players to create and finish in offence, it was clearly something Cullen was more aligned to as well. Strange considering he was a forward for most of his career.

It is more than that with Smith. He has instilled a desire to protect our line. There have been a couple of games this season where we have had the game won and prevented tries on the 79th minute.

Surely in the running for the England job?

I often think that too as he was an animal in defence when playing. PC never seemed to think we had an issue with our defence and that any defensive frailities would be mitigated by go forward and possession.

I wonder what he thinks privately about the turnaround under Smith? I hope he has learnt something positive from it. I guess PC deserves some credit for the squad he assembled during his tenure.

I'm sure he has as he's an intelligent fellow. I said yesterday I love listening to his analysis on Boots N All. Whatever some people think of him, he's still on of the best English coaches around.

He's already been there and failed spectacularly.

I think it's a lot more to do with uniting them as a squad and getting them wanting to play for each other, as demonstrated by the little things like going in and coming out together for everything, the way the celebrate forcing mistakes and pat each other on the back for the big shots, even picking each other up when mistakes are made.

Players at Superleague level have all the ability required to play the sport but still need someone to lead and get them working together, fighting for the same common goal as one unit.

Thats what I think Smith has done differently to Lowes

I still remember many doubting him as our coach because of the world cup in 2008.

As I mentioned on the 'second half nilling' thread. We're now enjoying our defence, the commitment and unity in all of our play is extremely impressive. Although the players deserve praise for executing the tactics, you must praise Smith for the turnaround. I've always said with us that I feel we always have a losing streak in us, a period where we'll go the best part of two months without a win, we've been mentally weak for years but I'm confident those days are behind us now, I'm confident we can bounce back from a loss and Smith has brought that confidence.

Well worked out Sherlock. Have you thought about joining the CID?

Agreed Geordie



They certainly seem to be enjoying the game much more than in other years, and I think its a nice touch that they all come out as a bunch now as opposed to single file. Team spirit is alive and well!