FORUMS > St. Helens > Matty Smith - Best English halfback in Super League |
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| Not really. I thought Widdop did really well today, he brings a lot to the side. I don't think it's any surprise to see us win a series when he's finally given a starting shirt.
Smith did well today, really well. But it was a horses for courses kind of thing rather than him being brilliant. He brought structure and solidity to a side playing with more freedom than the previous games. I've no doubt Williams would have done better today as well, but support Smith's inclusion because of his kicking game. Hodgson also deserves a lot of praise, he's finally brought a quality second 9 to the England setup, which we've simply not had since KC retired. Roby's minutes on the field were full of impact throughout the series, which really helped get the side going. The number of players in the NRL is benefiting England now. The defense is pretty solid and there is a lot of quality in the pack.
Having said that, as good as Smith and Widdop were today, there was still no ball for the centres. We've arguably got one of the most dangerous strike weapons in RL (Until he joins Union) in Watkins and he's had to survive off scraps all series. He's not even had a chance to make a break, no early ball, no overlaps to exploit at all.
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| I agree with you, he would flourish with better quality players either side, or rather they would.
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International Star | 388 | |
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Feb 2011 | 14 years | |
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| Quote: Twentyman "Nobody agrees with anything I say, it's like my marriage this!!!!!!
*goes and sulks in shed*'"
It's not your fault. Your just misunderstood
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45465_1384791340.jpg And last but not least, to all those people who wrote this team off.
To all those people who critisized this team...tonight's for you.
K. Sinfield, GF 2011:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_45465.jpg |
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| Just watched a review of the 2015 season and the player that stands out head and shoulders above every other half back is Kevin Brown. Sheer class. Without him, Widnes would be scrapping with Bradford and Leigh in 2016.
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| Only just seen this thread, and interesting to compare it to the one on the Wigan board! If anything, the sentiment here seems slightly more pro-Smith, I'd say.
He had a poor start to the season for us (and wasn't the only one by any means). He did steadily improve as the season went on, culminating in that good England performance discussed above. I do think that he and George Williams are a good fit together, and I agree that this is the kind of partnership England should be looking for too, if not with the same personnel necessarily. He'll never set the world on fire, but he's a good solid pro who comes across as a decent bloke as well.
I agree with youse guys about Widdop too. I went from being delighted that England have a highly-rated NRL half in the team, to being perturbed by his sideways crabbing and lack of direction. Good goal-kicker, though (and better than Smith). In the apt words of a Wigan board poster (discussing Stefan Ratchford, IIRC), he seems more sizzle than steak!
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Rank | Posts | Team |
International Star | 4748 | |
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| Also agree that Brown and Gale can consider themselves a tad unlucky not to have been given a shot at an England shirt in the last year, but the real culprit there is the chronic lack of international footy, a situation for which the ARL/NRL must take most of the blame.
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