Generally with a coach its difficult to judge until the team is really 'theirs'. That's certainly not the case with Smith. He signed mainly project players, with only a few of the first 17 having joined under him, and none in the really important positions, unless you count O'Connor as his pick.

Smith has overseen the departure of some of the players responsible for multiple years of dross. Players who were rubbish under multiple coaches but somehow stayed around as coaches came and went. This clear-out had to happen if we were to really move forward. Hard choices on moving players on had been avoided for far too long, and what could have been managed in a gradual way over multiple seasons has had to happen fast. This has undoubtedly affected morale and while I really don't like results this year, we've not been drawn into the relegation battle and should be in position to move forward next season.

I think its unfair to judge Smith too harshly on this year. He was brought in to turn the club around. The real test will be who he brings in, and how the team performs with his picks in key roles. It will be perfectly fair to judge him on how we go next year. Unless we sign another bunch of squad fillers....

Yeah, we could do with a coach like that. But who? Oh, hang on. Isn't there a guy who inherited a cellar dwelling team last year and took an often depleted side on a long winning run (of effectively knock out games) all the way to the Grand Final. We should sack the current coach and get him in. Now, what was his name? Rohan something?

And has put them firmly back in the cellar this season....

While I take the point on coaching, it’s not that long ago Lam was practically chased out of Wigan. He’s had 2 years to build his squad and a he’ll of a lot of investment. The players he has this year could be deemed ‘cast offs’ but they’re all players he wanted, and a vast majority of them he had last year in the championship too.

I get it’s a what have you done lately thing is coaching, but I don’t think that’s a fair comparison.

So maybe time for some quality recruitment on the playing staff instead of this constant and counterproductive sacking of sacrificial lambs, sorry coaches.

I 100% agree.
GH needs to get the cheque book out and back Smith.
Then let's see what he's capable of with his own team.