Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Thu Aug 10, 2023 7:13 am  

Once were Loiners wrote:

I'd say Smith's problems are similar to why our halfbacks struggle - lack of shape and structure in attack. He's got the ability to play the sort of role Knocker Norton used to for Hull, but when he was there Hull played with a lot of shape.

He's a bit like Knocker in slow motion in attack. When we played that Hull side of the early mid-80s I was worried every time Knocker got the ball from first receiver in our 20; you expected something to come from it with his mobility & handling. Smith's not quite at that level yet.

[Bullseye]

Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:14 am  

Smith needs bodies in motion around him providing options. That keeps the defence occupied. Sounds like in attack Leeds are making it up as they go along but don't have the tools to do it properly. That's allowing the defensive side to dictate what you do in attack.

Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:26 am  

Bullseye wrote:

Smith needs bodies in motion around him providing options. That keeps the defence occupied. Sounds like in attack Leeds are making it up as they go along but don't have the tools to do it properly. That's allowing the defensive side to dictate what you do in attack.

This is exactly what is happening, and it’s infuriating to watch. It’s like asking an amateur tennis player to go play like Roger Federer.

Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Thu Aug 10, 2023 4:51 pm  

tigertot wrote:

He's a bit like Knocker in slow motion in attack. When we played that Hull side of the early mid-80s I was worried every time Knocker got the ball from first receiver in our 20; you expected something to come from it with his mobility & handling. Smith's not quite at that level yet.

I agree, Knocker had better footwork but you and others are right he needs runners and I think needs telling to simply pass the ball to better strike players more often.
McDonald is a strong runner but we never put him in a gap.
He’s also not helped by how static we are in general.

Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Thu Aug 10, 2023 5:02 pm  

See that, that’s poor coaching that is. Either Smith is telling the players to do what you said and they aren’t doing it, or he’s not telling them. Either way, over the course of a season, it’s more than just players on their own.

Re: RD 21 | Leigh Leopards (A) : Thu Aug 10, 2023 5:13 pm  

batleyrhino wrote:

See that, that’s poor coaching that is. Either Smith is telling the players to do what you said and they aren’t doing it, or he’s not telling them. Either way, over the course of a season, it’s more than just players on their own.

Cameron Smith looking right , not passing, stepping inside and getting caught with the ball is happening far too often, you are right a coach should be into his ribs . You can’t do that 12 plus times a game next week or I’ll drop you, get other players to tell him as well and vitally give him options. Cameron has skill and good hands but it needs speeding up . Danny McGuire would have been perfect for him, because he’d be at him all game.