The only two bits I would disagree with are that he has only just given up his England jersey - with his form this season he should have lost that a long time ago - and that Smith has never been Wigan quality - he has served a purpose in the past and has played well ... enough to win us matches previously. After the way he's played this season though, I agree that its time to look at other options.

I don't think that's enough, to be honest. No one would question his willingness to work and his desire to win matches. But we've looked weak in the attack zone all year, including in the Grand Final. Too many close in chances were simply kicked away. Too often we couldn't break down even desperate defences. In addition, his field kicking leaves a lot to be desired. Too many turnovers occur on or near halfway, because Matty hasn't pushed the opposition back far enough.

But I do agree, we'll miss him if he isn't here ... unless we've replaced him with someone better. And that's always got to be the bottom line.

Smith doesn't have a good kicking game though.

He does from distance IMO. That like everything else was off for him on Saturday but it's been good recently.

His defence has gone back for me, he's taking on the line even less then usual and generally looks short of confidence. He's never going to be a world beater but there's far more in him then what he's produced this year.

In 2013 you have a kicking option in Tomkins and a kicking option in Green. In 2015 Smith made 121 attacking kicks, Williams 67 and Bowen 22. In 2013 Smith made 109 attacking kicks, Green made 80 and Tomkins made 32.

This has a couple of effects. For a start, Smith this year has been more likely to receive the ball for a kick even if not necessarily the best placed of the 3 to put a kick in. On top of that, more kicking options mean it's harder to pressure.

It also makes it much harder for the fullback. If you kick across your body there's a higher chance of a charge down, so kickers will [igenerally [/itry to avoid it. If Smith is a kicker who's right footed, he's generally gonna look to kick to the right. Without alternative kicking options, the fullback can position himself in accordance with this.



Williams stood out, found quick PTBs and consistently looked dangerous. 25 tackles and 15 carries is a very high work rate for a halfback too. You have loads of option runners - there's no such thing as a dummy runner anymore. The problem is you always just string together a couple of second man plays.

The problem with your spine is that you've kept the style of play Maguire brought over, but your personnel has changed. Your spine are probably slightly less effective runners (Tomkins & Green vs Bowen & Williams), and with Bateman in the centres, your only second rower who is capable of hitting an effective 'in' line is Farrell. With the likes of Sarginson, Bateman, J Tomkins and Gelling, they're the sort of players who IMO rather than playing right at the line, need the ball earlier and be given time and space to use their footwork and hand off. Strikes me as trying to fit your players into a playing style rather than finding the right playing style for your players.

I was disappointed with Matty on Saturday. Aside from dropping the ball that led to their first try he was tackled so often in possession it reduced our kicking options, making us far more predictable. Overall he has not enjoyed his best of seasons. I would like to see how a half back combination of Hampshire & Williams would go; but I suppose that is out of the question if the rumours are true, and Rocky is on his way to Cas for a year. It's a shame because I think they would flourish, especially with Sam & Lockers offering advice, help and last tackle kicking alternatives on the field.