Smith's comments can only possibly serve to make things worse, and if his genuine intention was to protect Joel (as his comments suggest) then really he shouldn't have said anything at all. He must have known that no possible good could come of him asking SL fans not to chant at him?!

It's like the Dad who asks the kids at school to stop bullying his son.

On the chants themselves (regardless of whether Smith commented or not)... One person here had it spot on (sorry can't be bothered finding the quote!)... he did it for a laugh, thus he'll need to just laugh it off. If I'm totally honest, I don't think he deserved to lose his job over it in the first place, I mean he's a rugby player (big daft lads and all that), I certainly think getting sacked from your job, and ultimately having to leave the country because you were a bit pi[iss[/ied up with a few mates is over the top to say the least.

I honestly couldn't really give a monkeys what he did after a few beers, that said... I will be joining in with any chants when he gets to Headingley, not because I care what he did, or because I have a problem with what he did, or because I think he deserved to lose his job, but just because it's all part of the fun of match day. It's like booing at a pantomime when the "baddy" comes on. I think James Graham is a great player, hard worker, meter maker, unquestionable dedication but he whilst he plays for Saints, and I support Leeds, he will remain a Fat Ginger Ba***rd. If he ever moved to Leeds (and I'd have him too!) I'd be the first to argue that it's muscle and he's Strawberry blonde.
Who's getting hurt with the chants? I mean REALLY, properly... who's getting hurt? Nobody. These boys take hits to the head & punch each other in the face, then share beers/bunks on tour with the International side, you're telling me he can't handle the chants?

I'm 28 and have no hair whatsoever, like properly none. I don't cry every time one of my mates calls me baldy. I wouldn't even cry if a gang of strangers started a bald chant when I was shopping in the Asda, and I CERTAINLY do not need my boss asking colleagues not to call me it (actually I work for myself but the point stands).

Sorry, this ended up pretty long!!

Summary:
Comments - Shouldn't have made them. Done no good whatsoever. Shocked at Mr. Smith to be honest.
Chants - It's part of his job and more fool him if he lets it get to him. Which I honestly don't think he will, I think he'll just get on with it.

Good post.

Just make sure you and your fellow Leeds fans chant with "thought and compassion" though

I know one guy who may be a bit worried.....

Have to admit, think I'd probably chuckle if the banter was well humoured, towards him !!!

3,000 away fans, singing "how much is that doggy in the window" all in tandum, for example !?!?!?!???!!!! lol

Typical dire double standards yet again. Some other team has wrong doers in its midst and alls fair in love and war but when its dire with the wrong doer in its midst its,leave us alone or we want you fined !!!!
Smith and you other chavs want to get used to other people having views,opinions and freedom to chant when and what they want just as the dire clowns do and have in the past. He will get stick,get used to it and either igore or accept but dont act like spoilt kids and ask others not to call your player names !!! FFS sticks & stones...

It'll all fall on how Wire do. If they are top of the tree, injury free and storming away, any heckles will fall on deaf ears and look pretty silly if he's running in try after try.

If Wire lose a couple to injury and drop a few unexpected games and Monaghan has a King-esque slow start it could be a lot of fun.

kin ell.......have the schools in Saints and wigan re-opened since the big freeze of '86..it appears not


Smith [sizeacknowledges[/size that opposition fans are eagerly awaiting their first glimpse of Monaghan. He is also [sizeaware[/size that the Origin star will be[size subjected to a verbal barrage[/size over his simulated sex act with a dog,

"[sizeIf it's good fun then fair enough[/size, but if it goes overboard there are rules and regulations," Smith warned.

"[sizeJoel is fine with it and knows he will cop some[/size. He understands there will be some repercussions but hopefully it will not be too hurtful and harmful. It needs to be done with some thought and compassion."

Smith implored Super League fans to remember their own foolish indiscretions before mocking the 28-year-old.

"Joel and his family are good people and he has made an error in judgement like a lot of young people," he added. "Particularly when we are inebriated, we do silly things and we regret them. There will be some stigma that will be with Joel for some time but he is a good professional and [will] do his talking on the field."




maybe our friends from Wigan and Saint Helens could tell us what they are upset about? as good natured verbal abuse is quite clearly being accepted by the coach, we are not even taking the stance of abuse is abuse whatever the nature are we ?

so please feel free to abuse monaghan you have the coach's blessing. but stop coming on here spouting even more drivel than usual.

One easy way to negate the hostile chants would be for JM to have something like "Who let the dogs out?" as his try scoring music

yet again you rear your ill informed head, read what TS says again & you'll clearly see he doesn't you melon!

The problem with the article is the comment by the writer that Smith believes there is a precedent he can use to silence abusive fans.

I don't believe that Smith drew a comparison between the two, but the writer uses the word "precedent". A quick trip to an online dictionary gave this definition of that wordvery different. Given the problems the game has had relating to homophobia I doubt the RFL will be pleased to see this kind of story - it's obvious that all leading figures in the game should be very careful about what they say on the Thomas case and if they are misquoted or wrongly quoted or the article doesn't reflect their views, as I'm sure is the case here, they should set the record straight immediately.

I think it would be best for Smith, Warrington and the game if a clarificatory statement could be issued by the club/Smith making it clear that Smith did not compare the two situations and if he did refer to the Thomas case in the interview it was merely to point out that there is a disciplinary procedure for abusive chanting. Wire fans can stick their heads in the sand if they want. As I Wigan fan, if we were in the same situation I would want Madge and the club to clarify what was said right away.

blah blah blah, as a wigan fan i think you should keep your nose out, i feel and i'm sure others may agree that TS was using the thomas incident to emphasise that there are laws within the game to stop abusive language once it offends, rather than the "light hearted banter" we have come to love in our game. he says that once it crosses from one to the other laws need to be utilsed to stop said behaviour! nothing else.
now i feel that if "madge" had made the same comments you wouldn't have even bothered to try and pick holes at all (just a feeling, i know but hey, i could be right)

The Messiah can say what he likes, when he likes.

+1

silly Wigan fans, trying to use their two combined braincells. Making 2+2= 900

post of the week... so you want smith to come out and clarify what he said?... even though every word he said is written down in the interview.

any dolt with half a braincell can see what smith said... its quite easy to spot.. its in speech quotes... journalists use these when quoting someone... read the article back and look for the text in speech quotes...this will then give you the clarification you so desire.