If you're relying on your mercurial SH to be a tackling machine, there's trouble at t'mill.

think there;s a level bettween tackling like a girl and being a machine

Indeed, and that's about where Tim Smith is at.

Maybe, but he's not the worst for me but I don't want to name names because it not that simple IMHO. For me it's the forwards and backs collectively who are not finishing the tackle or simply falling off or not even being where they should be. Also far to many players are out of position far to often, Lyne and Cockayne big offenders.

This is what I think I meant by a lazy team, though I can't quite put my finger on it tbh. What I do believe is Smith tackling is no worse than last year but due to a healthy team ethic it wasn't an issue.

Modern day defense is rarely about a one on one tackle.
It is the team defense that matters.

If someone runs at Smith (or anyone else) the tacklers either side are just as important.
He is average at tackling but as said, that is not what we bought. We should be fine as he is.

That's probably about right. We maybe need to restrict the number of times Tim is exposed to the tackle - knowing as we do his ability in this area.

At the moment it seems to be getting exploited a little too much.

Bren - you're twisting my words!

Im not sure Tims defence is any worse than Paul Sykes or a couple of others tbf.
As a team we clearly have a defensive problem. We dont appear to be strong enough in the tackle across the park. Its very rare we send anyone backwards or really punish someone.

On a seperate note what has happened to Amor? Although i thought he was a bit better yesterday, he still looks like a different player to the one we have had over the previous 2 seasons? Injured? Still coming back from op? Havent seen the extra leg drive on impact we used to see and he seems to be getting dominated a little easier.

I thought it was about Farrels jaw.

misread it El Rey...

"crap" not "glass"

id say 'generally' our defence down the middle has been fine but for the past 2 years the edge defence really has been an issue. When the ball goes wide quickly we often get caught out. whether this is due to the 2 wingers being hard wired at shooting in etc at Hull KR or not I dont know, but they often commit the same errors..

I though Amor was excellent yesterday and if anything, lacked the support of the other forwards with the notable exception of Aiton, who was outstanding.

Do you really wish me to answer that?

On the basis that you do: by suggesting I was wanting TS to be a tackling machine - which I don't, but at the moment he isn't connecting and the opposition are targetting his channel. As stated above, it is probably as much down to his team-mates to up their game and protect him as it is for him to step up his own.

He clearly isn't fully fit and worringly isn't talking to the players as much as he was last year either!

True, he will never make a boxer, but he is turning into the best forward in the competition this year, so I am comfortable with that.

From the highlights Smith was very very poor in relation to his defence, especially line defence, 2 very poor misses that directly resulted in tries.

His defence when he was up for it at Wigan was ok, particularly after a poor performance the week before, hopefully he can make up for it next week. I don't think it's ability that is his issue in relation to this more application and desire.