To use your logic; keep Briers on regardless of whether he is sticking to the gameplan, regardless of whether we are getting mullered or winning at a canter.

Interesting.

Well it depends whether an out of form Briers is better than the other options. Which he probably is.

If we had not scored in the last 4 minutes and were now looking at played 2, lost 2, would Smith still be hailed as a genius for bringing Briers off? The verdict on here would have been "why when we are chasing the game do we bring off our best player?"

You are utilising theory to assess fact. Smith subbed him, which was obviously the right thing to do, as it yielded the desired effect; a win.

If we hadnt have won on Sunday people would have been questioning TSs tactics. If Briers had stayed on we might have got beat by 12 and people would have been questioning TSs tactics.

He did what he thought was right FOR THE TEAM at the time. End result the decision was right....Sorted!