Just think if we had Sykes for the narrow defeats we'd have had we would of probably won.

Tim Smith is a quality player but he is not good enough to carry an average team on his own. He needs a proper halfback partner to help split the burden, not converted centres and backrowers. It's no surprise that when our best option there, Paul Sykes, is playing Tim Smith looks twice the player. Right now we are so easy to shut down as everything has to go through him.

Whilst I was never his greatest fan the decision to shed Kyle Wood before the seasons end and leave us with no cover in the halves was lunacy. Even if Sykes had stayed fit he would have given a decent option as interchange hooker as Agar obviously doesn't rate Wildie. All we are doing now is hammering Aiton into the ground, it no coincidence that he isn't as effective with ball in hand in the second half. For a guy with his defensive workrate to play 80 is going to tell on his attacking play.

I'd go as far as saying if Wood would have still been here we'd have sneaked a couple of those narrow losses as wins and the top 8 would still have been a chance at this point. Even if we didn't get there at least the season wouldn't be petering out with nothing to play for.

Tim Smith is the only creative player we have apart from a few flashes from Lee Smith.
He IS our attacking force but that means the poor bloke can't have a bad game!
For heavens sake don't start saying we should get rid of him - I agree with others we should be building around him not taking the nucleus of our team away!

Aiton is a quality player and offers utility at Loose and other positions in the pack as we've seen.
I'd get rid of Washbrook, Tautai at LF.
That leaves a bench spot free, an interchange hooker, 2 forwards and a utility player who can cover various positions in pack or maybe the 3/4's.
Right now we play with a bench full of forwards and not very often an interchange hooker.

I agree about Smith in that we are asking too much and he requires a stand off.

However I am not of the view that Sykes returning will solve everything. We dropped very lucky with Sykes
he came as a three quarter player to provide a problem to our goal kicking. He did a very good job when moving to stand off but the guy is now 33. He may well do a good job next season, but if he doesn't or injuries catch up with him
I think our back up options are limited in such a vital season.

Absolutely correct.
With 1 play maker in the team (aside from breaks by Aiton or Ali) Smith becomes an easy man to mark and effectively take out of the game.
We need some help for the guy.
Sykes has done a useful job when fit but we have lacked adequate cover when he has been absent and we become one dimensional.
Having said that, we have scored as many points this season as Saints (5th in the league) and if believe the stats, it's our defence which needs more attention.

Getting back to the topic, if we let Smith go, we will be utterly rudderless and "looking forward" to the CC.

Regarding Sykes, I'd play him at 13 next season, obtain an experienced stand off (easier said than done) and then we would have 3 pivots. Ah, the good old days.

Back row is already packed out. No need to add there, though I see your point about LF having ball skills.

If we are talking of getting another half back who can take the line on then why not move Tim Smith to Stand Off.Lets face it its where he would have played in the 70s 80s with a scrum half who would have done just that take the line on when needed.

Why not add another player with issues? Brett Seymour anyone!!

Cas bound Hopefully

Digger Land then, should suit him.

Funny you guys work a year behind me! What did I say about Washbrook all along! A tackler thats it we may aswell get a lad from Eastmoor to do a job he does.