I'd go for that, but swap Clark for Partington

He can get involved when he deems it worthy of a card (not when it's only worth a penalty, as they don't want players staying down forcing every bit of minor contact to be reviewed as was happening at one stage). Either he didn't get replays (controlled by Sky) in time to give his input, or he didn't see it the way I did.

How many times is Hastings attacking the line on the 4th tackle and there is 0 push around him.

The rest of the attack is way behind him.

You are correct he is trying too hard but he is getting no support so he has no choice.

The last comment is very telling.

This rotation of 9s that sees our halves move in to that position during games is a terrible tactic. That’s on the coach not them as it is clearly his instruction. Whenever they get in at 9 which they do very often it reduces our attacking threat even more.

I can’t agree re Smith having to organise a last tackle play though, as if it is some major issue.

He is a 7 playing at Wigan. His job is to do that.

If we are saying that is a challenge for a SL half back then we may as well give up.

Thanks as always

I agree he should but for the entire line on his own?, But it also on Hastings as the senior half-back to be in the back line organising as well not getting himself trapped in a tackle and only having one half-back (and a young one at that) and not even a good link forward like Lockers to dictate the play, we look so dis-jointed and a lot of that is down to awful coaching.

Smith is struggling - that is obvious, the reality is he is being expected to do far more that he should (given that without the raft of injuries the HB paring would likely be Tommy and Hastings) and I think it has badly effected his confidence. In an ideal world he would have been drafted in and given some game but not as much. Comparing him to other young HBs in better teams is not a fair guide.

I am undecided about Smith - there is a player in there and I would want see how he would go in a better team (more structed) before casting him out. Maybe with less pressure he would make fewer mistakes or bad choices but without improvements in the team right across the board (for example so little comes from hooker these days which puts more onus on the half-backs) that I think it will difficult.

Or ref believes player was mouthing off at him, penalty imposed accordingly. Player has right to appeal, does appeal, gives his version of events and succeeds. This looks like a system that works to me.