an out of form Smith is still better than an in for Tommy...

I would take goal kicking responsibilities off Harry because in my opinion this is his main cause of lack of confidence. Do that you'll probably see a better player. Let Hastings have a go at kicking goals.

Next season, St Helens intend to play young academy signing Dodds at Scrum Half and like the present Farges, no doubt will play well behind a good and consistent pack, especially in the Front Row which has not been the case for Smith at Wigan!

It might explain the drop in form of Smith, especially with being given the kicking duties as well!

I’m not sure it is playing a part because he’s not been at his best all season. The front row and the coach are the biggest factors IMO.

Has there been a drop in form?

My original post wasn’t based on the Wire game, it is based on what he has contributed so far.

I just don’t see much to get excited about.

He has had a few cameo moments however generally the issues always seem to crop up.

Passing accuracy poor, failure to take on the line, poor defence and repeatedly kicking out on the full mainly due to his poor positioning on the last play putting himself under pressure.

The one unknown for next season may in my opinion be the making of him in that Hastings won’t be here.

At the moment both our halves are clearly link men for Hastings. Nothing more.
Having a less dominant partner may mean Smith can take on more responsibility and become the player so many predicted he could be.

That's an interesting take on it. I'd been thinking along the lines of needing an experienced dominant half to take the pressure off him, but I can see your way of looking at it actually, that he might do better with more control.

Great kicks
Great support play
Great vision
Pace
Takes the line on well
Goal kicking

Obviously terrible opposition today but he’s got the skills and needs to do it on a more consistent basis.

Stick with him.

He was excellent today, hope he can keep up his kicking form too

Great performance today from Harry Smith . I know it was only Leigh , but even so , that should give the lad lots of confidence going forward .
Great to see him break the line on several occasions , some deft touches with the boot , and his goal kicking was the best I’ve seen from a Wigan player in a very long time

He showed today what he can bring in a dominant side. It’s very very rare where he’s played in a team that has been rolling forward and that has given him that much space and time to work with. He’ll actually learn more and improve more from the tough games he’s had, where we’ve been on the back foot and he’s been pressed in to errors but he needed that today to build his confidence. He was just too good for them and if we can get him a good front row to play on the back of in the bigger games next season, I think we can see more of that against better opposition. He needs patience and fans backing.

Will be interesting to see who the half’s will be against Salford, I can’t see
Tommy playing he was heavily strapped up before the injury forced him off

It will depend if we get anyone back from injury but presuming not he’ll go Shorrocks or Powell with Smith. He’s not moving Hastings until Hardaker or possibly Field come back. We’ve got good cover for Powell and Shorrocks, so either will be able to do the full game.

Today started with Leuluai taking the line on and scoring (which he never does) followed by him going off and then Smith doing everything we want him to do. The team looked more dynamic without Leuluai and even though the opposition were garbage, we still had to time our plays and get the ball over the line. Glad for Hanley to get three tries even though I felt Halsall had a much stronger game in the other wing. He’s got the size to cope with the carries which Hanley still struggles with. We’ve been critical of the team for a good while but today was nice to enjoy some good plays and a dominant performance as it seems so long since we saw one.

both hardaker and marshy said they would be back next week, also gilly, manfredi and field should be also

If that’s for Friday then happy days. It would be good if they could ease them in over a couple of games. We’ve all been frustrated with this season so far but all is not lost and if we can get our best 17 on the field and find some momentum, stranger things have happened than us having a good end to the season. Lammy really needs to drive competition though and be ruthless and it’s not something I have any confidence in him doing.