Whatever we think of Smith, it looks like (from the outside) that both O'Connor and Walters were poorly used and developed under Agar. Thankfully they have both been able to ressurect their careers.

O'Connor's strengths were recognised by Smith, and injuries to Leeming and wayward form from Dwyer gave him the chance he needed.

Smith was the first coach to realise that Walters could be used effectively as a makeshift prop - it's a shame he had fewer opportunities this season, but it's understandable why. When used last season Walters was directly responsible for several soft tries being conceded through 'clocking off' in goal line defence or at marker. He also had a few better and more reliable players ahead of him, although I would have liked to retain Walters if possible since he has he has a bit of an x-factor about his game.

Not only that, he is prepared to make tough calls based on the long term future. Too many Leeds coaches of recent years have been too loyal to underperforming players, and he doesn't seem to tolerate that too much.

I'm still undecided about Smith, I really swing between. I was at Wigan away earlier in the season and at half time, I thought he would be sacked after the game. Then we can back and won in the second half. The season is so unpredictable!

People on here know I like Smith and want him to stay - but opinion aside he has said numerous times that one of the main reasons he got the job was because of his ability bringing younger players through, now it may well be that once he has achieved that we get another coach to take that younger team to the next level - a bit like Powell getting rid of dead wood and then Uncle Tony coming in to get them over the line.

However I'd like to think Rohan can get them over the line in his tenure.

there's no doubt he is brilliant at coaching younger players.
it's the game plans he needs to get right. hopefully he will continue as he did last week and play a more traditionalgame

The players need to do their bit aswell, game plan aside (which having watched it back was executed to near perfection against Huddersfield) they need to cut out stupid errors.

Do that and we have a chance

I honestly thought he would be sacked after the Wakefield game.
And I don't think I would have been bothered.
But fair play, looks like we are sticking by him.
And under massive pressure, he delivered in the Hudds game.
We looked like a well coached, well organised team for the first time in ages.
Hopefully we can keep that up and Smith shows he's up to it for the long haul.
If we continue with performance like that, I'd be more than happy for him to be backed.
But if we go back to the garbage from the previous weeks, the knives will be out again.
Fine lines in sport sometimes.....

it's not fine lines there's a massive gulf between the good and bad performances

I agree some of our performances have been dire but it is still fine lines in terms of wins/losses and what that means.

If Martin kicks that penalty against saints, we don’t bomb those early chances against Wakefield, Olpherts catches that easy pass against Cas away, we don’t clock off in the last 5 minutes at Magic, Newman passes to Myler in the cup, were looking at a total different scenario.

But alas we are where we are.

That`s what I said previously.
Beat Cas twice and Wakefield and we`re 3rd.

ifs and buts. all teams could say the same (wakefield apart).

Maybe not hull or Cas (look at their points difference against ours)

I totally agree its ifs or buts but it is fine lines is the point

Probably shows how competitive (or poor depending on your POV) the league is

I think Sam Walters will be better than big Mick given game time next year.
The effort he has given travelling over every week for a few years now has not been rewarded IMO.
Good luck Sam.

Absolutely not. Some severe overrating of Walters and underrating of Mik going on

I'll be surprised if Wigan even play Walters at prop. When I saw the announcement I assumed he was a direct replacement for KPP.

Has he played much backrow in the first team?

Is he athletic enough ? Can he play 80 minutes ?