Quote: G1 "Had Mclennan come up wit hthat performance I suspect you wouldn't be explaining it away, you'd have been creaming yourself. BTW, if they were shot from the playoff game who coached us in that?
They had some injuries but no less than they had yesterday.
OK, its' just opinions I guesss but if Hall didn't improve Mcl;ennan would be a lousy coach, under Smith he was a part time kid. Burgess didn't play under Smith so that is a strange statement. Donald was the same in 2008 as he was in 2007 9and 2006 for that matter). he's gone so far backwards under McLennan's master stroke of switching sides.
What does that mean? I know you've always had an issue ith JJB but surely you can see what a tremendous player Smith made him. Bluey has failed to keep that up. Maybe Bluey can't improve players the way Smith could??
Agreed. One wonders why the coach would ask him to defend a player like Matt Gidley.
What has changed on the right since that pinnacle in 2007 GF, or even Mclennan's effort in last years?'"
Gareth we must agree to differ on who is the better coach - as I already pointed out after 18 months in charge they both have identical records - it took Smith another three years after his first GF to win another - McClennan has plenty of time to emulate if not surpass what Smith achieved. If McClennan did that would put you between a rock and a hard place
For you Smith's win in 2007 was far superior to McClennan's win in 2008 you are entitled that view. For me given Saint's determination not get done a second time and after the hammering they took two weeks previous 2008 was a serious achievement - but then McClennan did that and it could not compare to Smith's win the previous!!!
On Burrow where can he hide him he had him on the opposite side to Gidley swop him with the centre and the he likely to get trampled by an even bigger player - what can he do other than not play him.
On injuries Saints had one key player out yesterday Long as I said I might be mistaken by for the home game in 2007 they had 5/6 first team players out.
Disagree re Donald 2008 was by far his best season at Leeds but that is opinions - JJB was Smith's favourite player, a player he personally spent many hours working one on one at the detrement of other players it could be argued - JJB responded to that and really developed as player - not sure he could expect that one on one to continue - his form is not the same but this year though he perform pretty well last year after he came back from injury.
As I said McClennan has improved as many players as Smith - how much of the improvement would have occured naturally and maybe Smith had more young players who would have improved anyway at his disposal?
2007 we had Toopi an international centre and Ellis - compare McClennan's win ratio in 2008 to Smith's in 2007 with basically the same squad - McClennan's surprisingly is better as is his for and against - stats who need them
