Some people need to get some perspective. Matty Smith had a great game on Friday but in a Saints shirt he has not shown the consistency to warrant the jersey. I'm grateful for what he did, and I hope he does it again if called upon, but I don't think a mistake was made in letting him go. I'm happy with our half back options when everyone is fit and I don't think Matty would be in the first 17.

Plenty. Often turning round the back three too.



Plenty, made a fair few too. I thought you watched all of the home games?

Christ, I can't believe this is even a debate, look at the stats for rlthis yearrl alone. He's better than him in most stats, and is only a small distance behind in kicks in general play and attacking kicks. In half the matches. Yet you haven't seen Eastmond make kicks from mid field? And you'd prefer Smith to Eastmond?

Kyle has only kicked one forty twenty in his entire career and it came in 2008.

This is all that needs to be said on the matter.

The one at Wakey? Thought he'd done more than that.

It's quite simple - Eastmond is a special player, Smith is a good kicker. If Eastmond is fit, Smith doesn't get a look in.

Would Smith have won us the play-off against Wigan last season with ball in hand? Would he have scored that try in the GF last year? Would he have terrorised the Kiwis like Kyle did last year?

Let's face it - Eastmond is better, which is why Smith is playing for Salford next year. Smith is 23 and won't want to be sitting around waiting for Kyle to get injured, so it's not even a debate.

Plus, why should we be in constant contact with Matty? He was on a season long loan and everybody knew full well he would sign for Salford and wouldn't get an offer from Saints, including Matty himself.

I agree with all of that.

If Kyle is back for the semi, would it be worth going with smith and Kyle at halfback?

In the absence of Pryce and Lomax it's a certainty IMO.

I think I'd go with smith and Kyle even if lomax is back.

I think Potter may feel compelled to revert to Kyle and Jonny if both are fully fit, and I'd be inclined to agree with him.

I'd agree with that, jonny lomax is coming along nicely, but is similar in style to Kyle, matty is different and give us a different dimension in attack.

Yes, I do. Unlike you, it seems!

Exactly.

And we are missing what Smith gave us on Friday night.

That's my point, while lomax is coming along very well, I don't think he's played halfback enough yet for such a big game.

Matty smith has been first choice halfback for a while now and can control the game for us.

Lomax may show the glimpse of class like the pass to gidley against cas but we need more than that with leon out.

Smith and Kyle for me.