TS has shown us many times he values seniority and past form of injured squad members coming back into fitness over current players of that time.

If we're going to break the bank I would aim higher than Danny Brough.

apart from with Brett Hodgson last season...

Correctamungo mm.
And most of us were baffled by the secrecy too!
Perhaps something happened we may never get to know?

Kin hell I actually agree with a Duckie post

generally Smith sticks with his first 17 when some of them don't warrant it, he obviously has his reasons but it can be frustrating as a fan.

I think Tony would probably argue that he knows more than the fans bout the squad and game.

I don't doubt that, and he sees them constantly, like I said though still baffled at times when a player is turd for the 80 minutes on the previous week.

I think i am in the minority on here. I think we are fineand the injuries at the start of the season may be a blessing in disguise. The injuries to the forwards has given laithwaite , currie and evans more game time. Russel will bring us some much needed speed from full back and with ratchford back in the halves i think we will kick on. Incidentally i thought mick monas had his best game of the season against hull.I think hill asotasi england riley and wood is as good as any props in this league.

The reason Tony Smith sticks with his team is because they have won three Challenge Cups and got to the last two Grand Finals.

Brian McDermott also sticks with his team, has he ever had the balls to drop Burrow, Sinfield or Peacock? No chance, no matter how badly Leeds play those guys will get picked.

I am worried like a lot on here that some of those guys are no longer the players they were but he has worked with them for years, they have done the business for him and come good when it counts for him so if he's showing them a bit of loyalty it's not misplaced.

You shouldn't dismiss fans opinions

can fans coach a team of professionals? No
can fans see up and coming talent, know who has a better chance of making it and decide who won't? Not always.
can fans motivate players to get the most out of them? No

can fans spot what is wrong with a team and where they need to improve? Definitely.

Someimes a coaches hands are tied in how he can improve his team.

2014 is the season where we tick over. With the losses the squad suffered nobody is expecting great things this year. Consolidate what we have, stick some of those wages in the bank and then a huge world-class signing for 2015.

And now that I have my expectation, anything better will make me very happy.

Maybe TS would benefit from some help from this forum, could the club appoint a poster from here to the backroom staff or maybe we could have a "Director of Rugby" that would be in charge of the signings like Dennis Wise or Joe Kinnear did at Newcastle.

Any suggestions who would be a good bet? I would be up for doing it, or someone like flying biscuit, karetaker, Paul Youane?

Maybe we could tempt Rogues Gallery in to the primrose and blue and put him as head of youth recruitment as he seems to have a good knowledge of junior rugby?

Padders could come in as team psychologist to work with struggling players on the mental side of the game.

What would be your role in the equation Sal?

I agree with all of that.

I think Myler has had a weak start to the season, Atkins has been poor for over a year and MMonaghan (although still a solid tackler) is a shadow of his 2011 self. O'Brien, Evans and Dwyer could do no worse, they aren't going to prove themselves in the stands and these lads aren't going to get better if they aren't playing elite level rugby.

You see time and again with young players, if they're given the chance they will take it and improve with game time. We have lost players and have players out of form and have young lads in the wings ready to take up the place if they're just given the chance. Look at Makinson taking his chance when Gardner got injured, Tomkins when Smith got injured, Hardaker when Webb got injured...now Myler Atkins and MMonaghan aren't injured, and i'm not saying i want them replaced full stop, but what better opportunity to get these young lads some first grade game time with a game at London with first choice players being out of form?

For me it would be a no brainer, but i don't see Smith doing it to be honest.

strange that the first thing TS did when he came here was drop briers who'd basically carried the team for the past few years now he seems to hardly drop players after bad performances. he does see more than us so you have to trust his judgement i suppose.

with wigan close, and salford away as only game before, youd think hed take this chance to try freshen things up a bit and try something new.

sorry mike.
Totally disagree.
More like we carried Briers. 1 good game every 7 perhaps.

ye but that was one hell of a game

, maybe your right but briers is my childhood hero cant do no wrong in my eyes

The Warrington version of Steve Simms

We neeed Michael Dobson

He would do a job