Dare i say....

Could it be that Cullen left us a legacy of what a decent pack was?
TS inherited it but hasn't learnt how to put together another?

Now then, there's a controversial question for you all to rip into me over!!

Cullen put together more than a decent pack really, that's why we were viewed as perennial under-achievers when we never made any finals (or semis really) and the playoffs were an every other year occurrence for 1 game (2 when we beat Leeds and then got spanked at home by hull).

Do you actually think the team hasn't been brought on leaps and bounds since then in terms of recruitment and improvements of existing players? We have never had a problem attracting big names our problem has always been getting the best out of them, that is of course until Tony Smith came along. I wouldn't swap him for anyone and believe we will come good, maybe not in the short term future but let's see where we are at the halfway point of the season. For me Russell needs to play and ratchford and Myler given a shot in the halves for a few games. We are in desperate need of some structure to our attacking plays if we can get that going then I think we won't be too far off.

Could it be Tony Smith is a manager like Brian Noble or Ian Millwall?.. In the sense that each were/are good at man management and have the skill to tinker a structure and maintain its productivity at a high output?
Yet to date, have any of them proven that they can build a side?

Cullen took us as far as he could but I reckon he was ill-advised over halfbacks and his misfortune was inevitably playing hookers at 7.
Had Bridge not gone astray I believe Cullen may just had of done it. He was on the cusp but the Monaghan at 7 did him in the end.

Is Smith is playing the same dumb move when he throws Monas in at 7 too?

Still whoever plays a hb is gonna be in for flack cos were not a top notch front row unit any more.

The current team is very likely no better than it was 7 years ago.
We've gone backwards.
What gripes me is TS and everybody else knew that we wouldn't get any more than perhaps a season at best from Briers, yet we didn't take the opportunity to sign a player at hb to replace him in the closed season.
:doh:

Most of all we lack the penetration of a top class prop.
Unlike with Briers, the lack of another prop didn’t need that touch of hindsight.
It was blatantly obvious.

How many players who were signed by Smith played in the last two Grand Finals we got to?

Some of what is said here is way off the mark.

A few bad results - and I daresay a few more to come whilst things get sorted out - and some are calling for TS's head.
Unbelievable.
I guess some of you guys are calling for Moyes to go to....
Why do so many want 'instant success'?
A sign of the times I suppose.

This year was always going to be difficult with Moz, Carvell, Coops and Hodgson going - and then Briers unexpectedly.

I fully accept we have issues in the halves and the centres aren't particularly impressive.

Asotasi has to settle in still and with not having Wood and Harrison we're struggling up front.

There's a lot to do and it will take time.

I've not read any comments asking for Smith's head on this board!?

Maybe I misunderstood the sentiment of a few.

This year will be tough - no doubt about that.
I just hope some don't kick the team when / if they're down.

One for the stats fans. 7 were TS' signings:
Ratchford
Atkins
J Monaghan
Myler
Hill
Hodgson
Waterhouse

12 weren't:
Riley
Bridge
Briers
Wood
Higham
Westwood
Grix
Harrison
Morley
M Monaghan
Carvell
Cooper

Almost, Hodgson was dropped in 2013??? Doh. Smith clanger!!

He played in 2012 though.

Indeed he did but I understood the question to be..

How many players who were signed by Smith played 《in the last 《two》》 Grand Finals we got to?

And not either.

...yes he did...

Hodgson was definitely dropped for the final in 2013. That means he didn't play in two grand finals.
is that not the question?