J20 wrote:
Think Netherton is that player Nat, but the side on the park is a different one with Smithy there!
Another to have his turn in the reserves too this week.
Hard one to judge with Smith. Certainly not the player he was at this level in his first two years where he was one of the most dangerous out of dummy half and caused defences all kinds of problems. I think he has missed Bob Beswick since he went though as the pair seemed to have a good understanding together during that time. Hi sinfleunce now seems to be one of keeping the side together defensively.
Unfortunately despite his service if you offered me the choice of somebody like Jon Clarke for a year or Smith then I wouldnt need too long to make my mind up. One of Smith's biggest downfalls has got to be the fact that his passing from dummy half is poor and at SL that would make a mighty difference.
I think the majority of the older players who would be considered for SL (Allen, Paddy, Thacks) are in the ???? bracket with regards the SL impact. It's hard to go overboard in keeping players like Thacks at the club then when they have been out of the top flight for getting close to three years and their potential impact is unknown. If somebody wants him and can offer better terms at the moment then so be it. He knows in his own head that given another season in all probability we will be a SL side and that he would be a shoe in for the squad.
