I'll state from the outset that this isn't a pop at Tony Smith, but I'd be interested to hear what people think he should be able to achieve this season.

The common consensus is that he is a good coach, but will need time (perhaps a lot of time) to sort out the apparent mess he's been presented with.

I'm not wringing my hands over today's showing at all, but I'd have to say I'd be disappointed if he can't get this group of players into the top half of the table by the end of the season.

Is winning 10 more matches really that far-fetched...?

I'm not sure where the interview was taken or who by, but his words where along the lines of; consistency comes from being able to defend. When the defence is good, the consistency is there and the results will come.

A long process, i won't be expecting to much in the not to distant future. Making the top 8 will be a bonus.

winning 10 out of the next 19-20 is quite realistic tbh after getting rid of gleeson and reardon, the two black clouds have been removed. The only other person that we need to either get rid of or, like the rest of the squad re-adjust his attitude is matt king. He swore at our fans and, this season hasn't looked like he wants to be here. Like we did with gleeson if he doesnt want to play for us get rid of him. We can probably get three good players that would actually want to play for us for the salary cap that reardon gleeson and king would leave

Will be hard as there are a few players who are going to be moved on and are just going through the motions, Smith will have to do his best with what he's got this season. As there's no relegation I would rather use this as a preparatory season for next year, put some bricks in place and bring in the rest from outside so we can hit next season running.

The fact is that we need to start getting some wins, and build up to the end of the season.

The fact is that our players can play when things tick. I haven't written this season off, our defence is looking better, we clearly have issues with the ball at the moment, but I don't think Smith is the kind of person to write the year off.

Make the top 8, hit form towards the end and who knows what will happen...

As long as we keep improving game to game i'll be happy...
Get into the top 8 and take it from there...

I also think T.S. will want to make a big effort in the Challenge Cup a few S.L. teams are already out of the competition with a couple more to go in the next round...

We've got a good draw in the next round with a bit of luck who knows..

No reason why we can't go all the way in either competition. We should have no problem in getting in the top 8. All it takes then is a bit of form. We have come very close to beating Leeds and Stains already this season.

We just need to get a little run going and we will be ok as we should take points from the teams around us. It is still early days for a play off spot. I would rather we hit form come the later part of the season. As long as were still in with a chance.

I think we can pretty much write this season off to be honest.
I can't see us making the 8 at this rate.

There's no way we can write the season off..Season ticket sales were down this season..

The club won't want another drop in sales for next season..

Im sure the club dont want it. The supporters certainly don't but where is this sudden creativity going to come from that's going to get us on the sort of run we need?

To me it looks like Smith has focused his attention on our biggest weakness, our defence. He has done a pretty good job of imporving that, and our attack is suffering slightly at the moment becasue of this, but I have no doubt that we have some good attacking players in the squad.

Riley/Mathers will return kicks much better than Hicks, Johnson will be more dangerous at centre, Anderson will make fewer mistakes than Harrison, Briers will improve the all round creativity, and Bridge will only get better.

We can attack, but the fact our defence is getting better should be the thing that gives us hope.

Even though we can't just write this season off, we have to be honest with ourselves, and admit that apart from the 2 promoted sides, we are the worst team in the league, so I don't really get all this optimistic top 8 talk.

Yes, on paper we don't look that bad a team, but its becoming increasingly obvious that performances like today's are the norm and not just a bit of a blip.

I think even Smith would admit that this present bunch aren't going to acheive much this term.....I reckon he's going to give the Cup a really serious shot, and then after that the main focus is getting set up for an improved 2010 campaign.

Let's get real.

From the position we're in at the moment, the best we can hope for is an easy run through to the CC Semi's and then hope we can raise our game, avoid Saints and get a day out at Wembley.

We'll be very lucky to reach the top 8 and need to give Smith time to mould a squad for next year.

To be honest I'd rather not be in the top 8 this season, we don't deserve it so far and it would only end in more disappointment.

I'm waiting for next season already.

If we got to wembley then i'd be satisfied.

He apologised for that and ever since then he has been one of our better performers, so I don't think his attitude is wrong.

Some of the British based players need reminding that this may be their last chance of top grade SL rugby. The others who think they can just pick up where they left off in the NRL should just be sent packing now.

Realistically who would be interested in some of our squad members?

[uThis Season[/u


.........write it off

it's a transitional season.

If they'd sacked Cullen with a viable replacement then it wouldn't have been so bad but alas we didn't

WTID

Agreed. He hasnt been sensational but theres been a definite improvement in attitude from him.

Can't see us achieving a consistent run this season, win one or two then lose a few. Best to hope for IMO is a good Cup run, maybe a semi hopefully the final but as far as play offs forget it even if we scrape 7 or 8 we will probably be beaten at the first hurdle.

Normaly I would say the Grand Final is the big one to go for but with our form this season a CC appearance would be the highlight, similar to Hull last year.

I have faith in Smith to bring in the right players and turn our fortunes around but this season is turning out to be another poor effort unfortunately

only see a cup final if we keep drawing the weakest of whoever is left
Feathers was a good draw in that respect

Can't believe we are writing this season off. It is like we all thought we were Challengers to Saints and Leeds from day one and all of a sudden our world has collapsed.

We were never catching up with Saints and Leeds but neither are we getting further away. There are 10 teams who have a similar chance of making to the play offs and then making a fight of it in the play offs.

You only have to look at the challenge cup finalists over the last few years. Catalans, Hudds, Hull. Some of their form was shocking but still managed to get to a final. Wigan have had some really poor results (Hudds at home last year) but still took some stopping in the play offs.

You never know what will happen in this league, For example Saints could be without a number 6 for the rest of the season in a couple of weeks, a suspension and a couple of injuries to key players and they could be a little weaker. (Dont get me wrong I know they would still beat us)

We have been pretty lucky with injuries so far (Touch wood) and if we can keep healthy and keep gradually improving there is no reason to throw in the towel just yet.