It is a shocking signing if true. Makes the Hohiah signing look positively sensible. We really have lost the plot as a club on signings and retention in the last 5 years. Depressing
It's the coach that dictates the attack maybe his ability has been stifled by Wigan, at least he is not injury prone and still a lot better scrum half than Wilkinson
I take your point, but we don't need to see him play a few games. We've seen plenty of Smith , both at the Pies and in his previous spell with us. We know what we're getting, and it's dreadfully disappointing.
In fact, I'm having as the most underwhelming signing in my time of supporting the club.
Can I ask why were judging a player on his performances in 2009? I got jumped on for supposedly judging the potential TL signing on his performances 2 years ago!
The reality is we don't know whether the coach and structure is stifling Wigans attack or Smiths perceived "inabilities" over the last 2 years - I suspect its chicken and egg, but we don't know unless we give him free range
You've been saying that an awful lot recently. And he's already played games for us. He wasn't good enough then and he's not good enough now. He's not a gamble on a player with potential. He's a bang average player who isn't wanted by his existing club despite being in contract with them.
Got to be worth trying. He's not a player that is going to improve us, he's not a 'promised land' signing. The fact that Wigan don't want him speaks volumes given he's just moving into his supposed prime. Another lead weight around the squad, another uninspiring signing.
I suspect though that after all the guff coming out of the club over the last few years and the fact we've won a few recently will leave most fans in a malaise about this.
My friend the Wiganer despairs about his goal kicking ability. She says that she would always have preferred Charnley to be their kicker
Well I wonder how many more rejects are GOOD friends with one of our coaches ????? .
roy litherland it's happened i told you it would
Not the return of the messiah but probably better than Johnny Smith.
Cunningham, Rush, McManus... go f*** yourselves, you bunch of clueless idiots.
4 years of mediocrity beckons. Just when there seemed to be a silver lining to the dull, one-dimensional dross we've suffered this season, the tw*ts do this to us.
Your point about injuries could apply to anyone- from Jonathan Thurston onwards. Considering we were turned down by Leulai who else was available realistically? I agree that he's not a world-beater but in the current climate the club obviously see him as a good replacement for Walsh.
I'm not going to criticise the lad himself as a 4 year contract at his age is a great opportunity, he'd be crazy not to sign for us
However as far as Saints are concerned it's possibly the maddest signing in my time supporting the club. A player that's already arguably failed at Saints, played for our biggest rivals and rubbed it in our faces in it and is now going to replace one of the best 7s in the comp
After all the stick KC has had this is a massive gamble as the majority of fans will be against the move and Smith will be under intense scrutiny and pressure from Day 1
If it happens we have to win something next season
Not overjoyed with it but let's give him a chance on the field before we lay into him.
Bordering on neglect. Four years of that carthorse unwilling or unable to take on the line. Shudder to think how he'll be in 2021. The signing epitomises our complete inability to consistently attract players in the last few years & smacks of a complete lack of ambition. I never envisaged a time I wouldn't be a STH at Saints but I just feel we're having the •••• took out of us.
The upbeat rubbish by a few on here is laughable he creates nothing & can't run with the ball. We needed a maverick with pace to spice up our attack & were given him on a FOUR year deal. We were over a barrel & desperate for a half but had more than enough time to get something that resembled decent. We're being turned into a robotic, boring, rigid team that churns out results. Im sick to death of hearing the term arm wrestle since this clown took over. We're in an entertainment business & this year irrespective of a few good wins recently just like the GF win that papered over then cracks were going in the wrong direction.
10/12/1989 12-12 v Dewsbury (H) Regal Trophy.
Att:5,847 (Loyal supporter ever since).
Well that's a shock
Don't think I'll ever forgive him for bashing that horrendous thing on his chest after he scored during the Good Friday game.
If it is true I assume the signing was done ages ago as on current form he's been absolutely woeful. He's been Mr Telegraph in that boring one dimensional Wigan attack for a few years now. What little creativity he's had has probably gone. He's got no bottle as demonstrated with his poor decision making and goal kicking.
My only hope is he's been hindered on account of Wane's awful attacking tactics recently.
Plus he's been in close proximity to the likes of Tomkins and Bateman so that's enough to not want him anywhere near the club.