You just get worse matey !

Swop Donald to the other side ? Why ? What difference would that make ? Only make the problem move to the other wing FFS

Play JJB in the Centre ? Now that must be the most stupid thing even you have posted How on earth you dare give an opinion about Coaching, well good job you have never Coached anyone

Indeed but you are aiming your latest fishing rod in the wrong direction Gareth, Smith delivered and failed in equal measure, thats life, thats sport.

Interestingly enough the fact that Smith is (in your words) the most successful coach ever in the history of Leeds tells you everything you need to know about the club rather than Smith himself.

How did Smith do at Huddersfield with just his tactical ability to fall back on?

Your first statement contradicts your second. I agree with the second. The fact that Smith delivered two championships in four seasons at Leeds means that he delivered far, far more than he failed.

very well actually. It was how far he had them playing above their abilities that prompted Hetherington to go for him.

What I don't quite understand is people's inconsistency in their approach to the competitive nature of SL.

IMO in 2005 the competition just wasn't as strong as it is now.

The salary cap, some good business dealings, some new coaches, some young blood, some forward thinking in terms of franchises and such like and all of a sudden, we have the Dragons in third spot pushing Leeds and Saints. You have Castleford who are capable of beating anyone on their day, Wakefield the same. Hull KR who have been a banana skin for a lot of teams. A resurgent Quins side and Huddersfield , Wigan and Warrington fluctuating from the sublime to the ridiculous, so you never know which team you're facing. Add an "odd"Bradford side into the mix with Hull and you have a league where no one team can take ANY result for granted.

Isn't this what we wanted? An exciting, unpredictable league with a higher standard of overall play.

Given that that's what we wanted, it seems odd that we're then surprised that we are not seeing one side dominate.

Is it possible that it's not Leeds underperforming, or even other teams punching above their weight to beat leeds. But just that other teams are a lot better than they were 3 years ago?

yes

They finished 10th in super league, Before Smith when had they last finished 10th or above?

They finished 12th (bottom) in 2000 under John Kear, who was subsequently sacked, and then appointed Tony Smith for 2001 who also guided them to 12th and relegation from Superleague.

In the NFP the following year under Tony Smith they were unbeaten (although they were the only full time side).

In 2003 Huddersfield finished 10th as you rightly say, a position they also occupied when the appointment as Leeds coach was announced.

After Tony Smith's departure they've gone on to finish 7th, 8th, 9th and 5th.

Great post and completely spot on, except for bit about Cas.

Can't argue with that.

Thanks for not answering my question

An excellent post. i agree wholeheartedly.

Just one question. What does it have to do wit hthe thread?

Wouldn't two championships in four seasons suggest that he delivered as often as he failed

bluey lost against cas, a result most expected because of the WCC the week before. most sensible fans also expected a dip mid season,we couldn't go on in the form we have had. if it carries on over 7 or 8 games i've no doubt he will get stick. to hammer him after 3 poor displays in 4 games is stupid.
smith never got stick in 04 or 05, apart from the stupid selection decisions in the CC cup final. picking senior who was clearly unfit and not having a prop on the bench against a massive hull pack was stupid and negligent even.
2006 was awful, we were shocking all the way through and smith rightly got stick as any coach would. 3/4 of 07 was pretty dismal too, only the end of the season was top class.

therefore IMO smith deserved the stick he got at the time although i do recognise his achievments. i just wonder what else could we have won had he had a more sensible approach to selection and tactics at times.

Both thoughts had occured to me.