very nice, funny, charismatic bloke in real life, just seems very guarded when there's a microphone in close proximity

Agreed but just can't ever remember him being like that for Leeds? Or have I a twisted memory? I recall he used to be superb pre and post match...

McDermott was good, of course easier if you win. I was expecting tony smith to take this result and perforamce in his stride but his body language wasnt pretty at all. Just didn't want to be there. His team were ok / good tonight, why be so uptight?! Strange.....

He wasn't, that was a very very strange few minutes of TV watching that.

Could it be that Tony is feeling the weight of expectation that surrounds Warrington? After falling short by such a narrow margin last year he must be under some pressure if only self generated.

I haven't seen the interview but from what's been described he was similar on occasions at Leeds particularly in later seasons.

Always though it and last night was especially poor. I remember going to a course he was leading and thought if he's anything like he conducts himself on camera this isn't going to be very enlightening, but as a previous poster mentioned, he was excellent, fascinating to listen to and very approachable.

I actually thought they were both awful and good. some great passing and excellent goal line defense. but so many mistakes. they never had a platform.

The Smith has never been the same since the GB Tri-Nations Tour in 2008 when he had a spectacular fall out with the SKY. He's done it to them on every interview since.

Can anyone tell me what he was like on the Super League Show the other Monday? Was he the same or was he different with the calming effect of the Manya?

I honestly didn't see much difference the "happy go lucky" approach to post match interviews were always few and far between from TS imo.

Smith was like that in alot of interviews for leeds.

Many of them when we had a good win as well.

It'd be interesting to have a body language expert anaylse many of his interviews and tell us what's [ireally[/i going on.

Think you are right about the pressure. Even saying that his interview was bizarre.

I noticed him in the background while BMD was being interviewed, he seemed relaxed and chatty.

Like Swifty says, thin lips.

The thing that came accross to me is TS has clearly hates Eddie and the sky team and does not want to be there at the interviews.
On a separate note, all season even in defeat McDermott has come across quite well in the interviews.

I've usually been impressed with BMD, even last year he was capable of hitting the nail on the head. His defence of Bailey after the Hudds incident was extremely smart, cut righ through all the bullcrap.

Smith never looks that comfortable in interviews with odd eye movements and brief manic style false smiles and they were all on display again but last night was something different. He just didn't want to be there and brought the interview to a close with a good 'dummy' get up from the chair to give the hint to Eddy who bought the dummy and as he wound up the interview Smith almost sprinted out of his chair before Eddy had finished.

He was not happy at all to lose and gave little praise to Leeds I thought. I think he might be looking some of his players straight in the eye on Monday morning though!