I'd say it's quite unfair to be branding Tommy as unorganised but saying we're playing better because of George. The only reason George has the freedom to play is because Tommy is taking control, doing the basics and giving George the opportunity to play like he can.

I also think it's quite unfair to judge Escare's kicking against Matty's based on a few games. Not sure of the statistics but I'm sure Smith didn't start out with a great rate, but he improved... like Escare hopefully will.

Saying that, Matty was great for Wigan and it wasn't good to see him go.

We started the season well with just Sam Tomkins, McIllorum and Manfridi out. We looked slick and well organised. 6 weeks in and v Hull we were missing Tomkins, Manfredi, Gildart, Burgess, Tierney, McIllorum, Sutton, Barmteman, Farrell and O'Loughlin and clearly we weren't as good as previous weeks. That said, it's no excuse and we're we're very close to beating a strong Hull FC.
Will we win on Friday? Not sure to be honest. Leeds hitting some form and won 3 on the bounce. They were always going to be much improved on last year but we may have Farrell, Sutton and Gildart back which will certainly help. I suspect your back line may just give you the edge but I reckon it'll be a very close game.

Exactly my point so is why I said cant really compare stats for assists between Smith / Tommy / Williams

We have always been better attacking from right to left its how Pat Richards scored so many tries. George assists this year have been kicks because at present it seems he kicks behind the line or attacks line himself.

Yes, I'd agree with almost everything you say mate. I have always liked Tommy as a player, but I think that the people who bagged Matty last year are blind to Tommy's deficiencies.

I think Matty's place kicking was average at best. I do think that the love-in for Morgan is partly down to the fact that he has exceeded expectations wildly. However his kicking from the tee is poor, not even average which was all that Matty was. Definitely room for improvement, which I hope he does, because it looks like he will be getting a lot of practice.

I agree although I have no issue comparing position for position. Tommy and Matty are both scrum half playing in basically the same structure. I was one of those happy to see Smith go and be replaced by Tommy. Smith tried hard but beyond that lacked ability. He's slow, has poor passing accuracy, never takes the line on, he's predictable, got dragged in defensively, and the majority of his long licks went straight to a winger or full back.
Tommy is different player altogether. He passes better, he's quicker, runs better, takes the line on and he's really guiding us around the park. His defence is far superior to Smith's and it's no coincidence our attack is much slicker this season. Tommy is controlling games and freeing up Williams to play what he sees and cause havoc.
I wouldn't swap Tommy for Smith even in my worst nightmare!

Not really true when Josh was scoring tries for fun out on the right in 2011-2013.

Your right, didn't realise the amount of tries Josh scored until I just checked the records.

Be interesting to check though because Josh moved to left side last year for Manfredi to play right centre with Gelling.

we still always go left more all clubs do, passing left is easier to most right handers and thats where most people prefer to pass.

That doesn't seem right, I'd imagine top Rugby League players are equally adept at passing left or right. Even I can pass decent on both sides and my highest level was Hindley under 15's.

it is right, people always have a preferred side to pass.

I'm with purple cheese on this. Whilst they'll have a preferred side it doesn't mean they can't pass both ways.

Personally I have a feeling TL will be slowly phased out into a hooking role behind Powell for a Sam Tomkins "re birth" (if you will) at HB. I wouldn't be surprised to see Micky Mac moved on at the end of the season.

I like Smith, seems a decent lad and well respected by his team mates.

Trying to compare him with TL though is laughable.

When he joined us he impressed me but each and every season his firm decreased. He stopped taking on the line, then his passing accuracy went South then he became almost anonymous.

Tonight is a great example of Smith. They lose a half and Smith is nowhere to be seen stepping up.

Yes he had his moments for us in his last couple of years but generally they were few and far between.

Ok he had a better long kicking game, although if you look back on this forum this too was often very anonymous but other than that TL in my opinion is superior in every department.

I think the Elephant has bolted out of the room and back to Africa after watching Matty Smiths display tonight!

Ordinary didn't do it justice.