You only GUESS! It seems to me that someone like you would know everything, or at least think that they did. I still think that Smith is a good coach though, just a poor talker.

Don’t shoot me I’m only a keyboard player!

At the risk of upsetting fellow Warringtonians, I do find TS rather embarrassing when he is interviewed by Eddie on SKY, made himself look like a bad loser at Headingley this year! But if that is my only criticism he can't be doing bad!

have you listened to your coach...what a comment

I couldn't help but wonder whether the comment in the above video about being arrogant or stupid for making predictions was a sly dig at Wane.

To know for certain I'd have to spend a lot of time with you. I'd rather not.

As for Smith, taking him at face value in interviews is a mistake. When we're crap, he's very complimentary about the other team and supportive of the players. When we're good, he's very complimentary about the other team and plays down how good we've been, albeit that he might single out the odd performance. It's clear he sees it as a necessary evil.

Having said all that, it seems to me he has an issue with Hemmings/Stephenson and he doesn't do a very good job of hiding that. He should do a Michael Maguire - speak quickly and say practically nothing of any note.

I don't think he likes Eddie that much, he often seems very tense when interviewed on Sky but not so on BBC.

FWIW I've always thought he speaks sense 99.9% of the time and doesn't get carried away unlike a rather embarrassing coach at a certain, rather arrogant club.

TS has openly stated several times he can't stand Eddie and has told him that to his face too. Hence the awkwardness in those interviews.

That is widely documented, however I think when he is 'on the job' he could try and put it to one side. I think we all have a similar relationship with at least one colleague or client, but you have to rise above it.

Flip video actually

On the first part of your post, I agree I think both of us would lose the will to live, but to get to the substance of the post. How many times do I have to say it, Tony Smith is a very good coach! And I also think he comes across as a very nice and likeable bloke; someone who would be a good friend to people away from RL. I don’t hate him, or have any real axe to grind. I simply think that, as with SW, fat Stevo, Clarke, and others the man at times is tedious to listen to, and he’s not always right! To keep saying that he is always right, as someone on this board has implied is not only sycophantic, it’s silly.

That's one way of looking at it. Another way is that some people like to stand by their principles and not be two-faced - i.e. pretend to get on with someone then slag them off behind their back. TS has said he is never two-faced, if he doesn't like someone, he'll tell them including reasons why.

It's only an interview, don't have to be all pally with him, just see the interview through in a professional manner. As I said it isn't a big deal though.

Interviews with most modern coaches all bore me to tears anyway. On the other hand, Tony Barrows post-match radio interviews were like Month Python meets This Sporting Life.

"I think I'm talking russian to them!" when the team didn't follow the gameplan (if indeed we had one)

"If they want to throw the ball around like that they can go and play for the Harlem Globetrotters!" (when someone dared to attempt an offload).