I tried to stay positive for as long as possible, hoping that we would see some indications of hope and progress to come (however minor those signs were to be) but my patience finally snapped completely at half-time in the Leigh debacle.

The only conclusion I can come to, for Smith still being in post, is that Pearson still believes in the work that Smith is putting in behind the scenes during the week (this so-called 'culture' change that keeps being trotted out after each weekly humiliation!) and he is of the opinion that in the years to come this work will bear fruit and provide the foundation stones for all future success! Unfortunately, none of that is feeding through to the fanbase who can only see hopeless capitulation re-occurring each week. We can hardly applaud what we can't even see!

The only other reason for Smith still being head coach, that I can see, is that Pearson simply has no idea of where to go or who to turn to if he were to sack Smith and therefore has left himself with no option but to stick with a plan which clearly is no longer working (if indeed it ever was!). Pearson has dug a hole for himself so deep that he now can't scramble back out of it. The worst part is, he's dragged the entire club along with all of its supporters down into the hole with him!

On Smith's appointment, I honestly believed we had made a step in the right direction, that at the very least Smith would have the club pointing in the right direction, laying down a solid base for possibly someone else, further down the line, to build on, putting back in a position to once more challenge at the top of the game. If that is indeed still the scenario then it has become nigh on impossible for any of us to see the vision, even if you have 20/20 eyesight (which at my age I don't!).

Like I said, I tried to remain positive, tried to see some indication of progress but, under Smith, we are going so far backwards, and at such a rate, I am starting to worry that what has happened under his tenure may already have become irreversible. Changing the club's philosophy, attitude and mentality is a very laudable concept and would, undoubtedly, lay the foundations for more successful times, but for the life of me I fail to see how taking 50 point hammerings every week can assist that process, and those hammerings have to be laid at Smith's office door (that is if we actually can afford the rent on an office for him!).

If this is allowed to go on for much longer, it may possibly kill the club permanently.

He is primarily a full back who also plays nine
good luck to the lad but if the idea was to play full back and move Hoy to six what does that say to Litten
Alternatively if the idea was to use him off the bench as a nine then what does that say to Balmforth.
Think we all know the answer for Balmforth but is Litten now on the naughty step.
Personally dont think he will play

It doesn't matter if his best position is full back he'll end up playing nine.

A bit on Balmforth and Litten

[urlhttps://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/tony-smith-explains-denive-balmforth-9204326[/url

A great post that mirror and animates what many are thinking. It does appear to everyone I speak to that they think that Adam has either run out of ideas or money or has lost interest and wants a way out but can't find one. But most of all the biggest gripe is that no one is talking to us above the coaching level.

I wouldn't this, if this applied to some of the first team players.

For example what did Tindall do to cone straight into the side on place of Martin.

Spoke to Danny yesterday two cracked ribs and a popped Cartilage so he be out for 3/4 weeks minimum and he said no point in injecting it as it won't heal, was very downhearted about where the club is going.
Hoy
Tindall
McIntosh
Sutcliffe
Martin
Smith
Charles
Eseese
Brown
Sao
Scott
Okunbur
Lane
Subs
Pele
J.Brown
Cator
Gardiner or Jebson(should be Balmforth)

Don't think I've been less excited for a game, Huddersfield aren't the most glamorous of opponents at the best of times, they out 50 points on us 2 weeks ago and we're further decimated by injuries. Fair play to anyone that's actually giving up a day of their weekend to go to the game and watch it

Achieved really poorly in a Spreadsheets assessment, only completing one task and scoring 4/40, will reflect his ARE's in the next report. Will organize a session for him to come and work within a small group to support his understanding of the topic. He does struggle in class, but not to this level, think he struggles with the pressure of test condition assessment's. Didn't use his extra time also.

Or apply it to Okunbor who Smith admits is struggling but yet still plays him.
It seems these youngsters are the scapegoats.

Find it odd that a lot was made about Balmforth's efforts in pre season, looked comfortably our best young player in his sole pre-season appearance vs Bradford and didn't disgrace himself in a depleted side against Wire, yet is apparently not ready? Saturday feels like the perfect opportunity to use him off the bench.

Balmforth just looked a bit heavy to me
I’ll trust the Coaches on this one

Having seen Balmforth play a couple of weeks back, I have no issue with his current omission. However what Smith has said clearly should apply to others, but it clearly doesn't.

If this was true, we wouldnt be able to raise a team

Im going on saturday. glad Smith has come clean about Balmforth stops spurious speculation ive seen. easy response to our form is sack TS. Its a club issue. We need investment AS has thrown lots of money at it- its not a bottomless pit. Not going/ protesting doesnt aid the problem it adds to it. Were blooding young players because we have to. its hard viewing but i enjoy rugby league and will try to support even in defeat as peed off as i get

Thanks for the info, regarding Balmforth, What was the issue regarding his performance?

Think you can only really play one of Moy or Charles.

I'd give Laidlaw a go over Gardiner too, nothing really to lose

or it could be that he realises Smith doesnt rate him or like him so he knows he will have to find another club next season or whilst Smith is here.
To play a decent 40 minutes at Warrington then not get a look in since speaks volumes and can only dishearten the player.
This coach is deluded.To come out and say you play if you are in form is nonsense.
Its a pity no one questions him then on why Okinbor is still in the team or several others

yet he is still the fastest nine we have on ther books.

Well like everyone else on here you can only guess Balmforth's thought process. He might be mature enough to realise he has to work on his game and his fitness. He admitted a couple of months back that he needed to lose some KGs.

Balmforth, Litten and Tindall in the Reserves squad for tomorrow afternoon.

And Jebson, Reckon Moy on bench Laidlaw 18th man
Hoy
Mac
Scott
Sutcliffe
Martin
Smith
Charles
Ese’ese
Brown
Sao
Lane
Okunbur
Cator
Subs
Brown
Pele
Gardiner
Moy

Balmforth be another Litten and Josh Hodgson will leave and flourish elsewhere IMO

doesnt seem to effect the likes of Jordan Abdull who you could say should lose a few pounds.
He is still the fastest nine we have at the club and i dont buy this lack of fitness excuse
My question to Smith would be what did he do wrong when he played 40 minutes or so at Warrington?
I thought he went ok but since that game he has been left out of the squad completely.
That was the time to give Balmforth a run of three of four games to see what he can do not drop him out of the squad completely.
Balmforth for a young player is already a decent size and build yet it looks like Smith will include a skinny 10 stone young player in Moy on the bench as back up nine on Saturday.
Good luck to the lad but for me it doesnt make any sense

add Jordan Abdull to that list
It has to be some sort of conflict between him and the tinker