Smith simply isn't the kind of player who is going to rack up MOM performances regularly. He is a constant 7/10 player. IMO what he brings to the team is the stuff we as fans generally don't notice. Communication, organisation and an experienced head in the halves. If you think we look disjointed now I'd hate so see what we'd look like without him in the middle. As much as I'd love a Williams & Hampshire partnership we simply can't run with 2 kids in the halves. There will be a time when Matty is surplus to requirements but Williams will need a couple more seasons under his belt before we can contemplate him playing Matty's role on a regular basis.

I'd argue he's more a constant 6/10 player who is 3/10 on a bad day or 7/10 on his very best days. I seriously doubt any other top 8 team want him as their first choice scrum half, or some of the bottom 4 sides either. Does anyone know when his contract is up?

Smith hasn't played well for a long time and seems to lose confidence in the rest of his game when he misses goal kicks. For that reason I'd give the goal kicking to someone else.

Who?

Personally I might give Sam Powell a try at it. But then the anti-Wane brigade wouldn't have Sam anywhere near the first team, so don't expect an answer too soon. As Leeds are finding out just now it's difficult to replace a superb kicker with someone who is both good enough to get in the first 13 and who kicks at 80%.

Leeds seem to be having numerous issues, difficult time for them.

Another 55 tackles last night but he missed 1, get him sold www.rugby-league.com/superleague ... info/10920

Another 55 tackles last night but he missed 1, get him sold www.rugby-league.com/superleague ... info/10920

I have been impressed with Powell. The issue, at the moment, is that he cannot turn a game on his own. We are doing well without much magic in the side. We do not have a set of barnstorming props to always get us a few yards and we are lacking creativity in the backs. This injury crisis means that we have top rely on steady players to grind out wins. My worry is that we ruin the careers of promising youngsters through our massive over expectations. Already on another thread some are slagging off the very young lads for not being the finished article rather than seeing the positives.

I agree with everything you've said. As he settles into the role of first choice hooker I think his confidence will build and improve his kicking from dummy half.