Think Netherton is that player Nat, but the side on the park is a different one with Smithy there!

Another to have his turn in the reserves too this week.



Hard one to judge with Smith. Certainly not the player he was at this level in his first two years where he was one of the most dangerous out of dummy half and caused defences all kinds of problems. I think he has missed Bob Beswick since he went though as the pair seemed to have a good understanding together during that time. Hi sinfleunce now seems to be one of keeping the side together defensively.



Unfortunately despite his service if you offered me the choice of somebody like Jon Clarke for a year or Smith then I wouldnt need too long to make my mind up. One of Smith's biggest downfalls has got to be the fact that his passing from dummy half is poor and at SL that would make a mighty difference.



I think the majority of the older players who would be considered for SL (Allen, Paddy, Thacks) are in the ???? bracket with regards the SL impact. It's hard to go overboard in keeping players like Thacks at the club then when they have been out of the top flight for getting close to three years and their potential impact is unknown. If somebody wants him and can offer better terms at the moment then so be it. He knows in his own head that given another season in all probability we will be a SL side and that he would be a shoe in for the squad.

Why do you say that. If you have already been given the nod why on earth would SOC waste money he doesn't have to. You could be the first club ever promoted from a relegation position in the Championship into SL. Now someone tell me that is not a faint possibility.

What you chatting Demon were 5th?



You should be greatful your still in the bloody division sherlock.

Because of the decision by an expansion team too, I don't get Leigh as tbh they really do owe the RFL a lot yet give them stick?

Er, you have another season before you reach those ivory towers idiots. You get in in March, why should you bother trying next season. Oh and ask the RFL why we are in this division. The RFL openly stated Gateshead cheated. Still wouldn't expect you two to know anything about what happens outside Widnes.

We won't know til March, we'll need a squad long before then.

I think it is vital that Smith is offered a new contract. He is such a talent and as he has shown in the passed couple of weeks he is one of our best players. Never had the greatest season at the beginning, but who did, we've lost 9 games so it cant all be his fault. Plus he was out of some of them with his face injury.



Thacks as well, what some people forget is that he is only 24. Not a clue why he was dropped to reserves. Just that interception play alone which he does alot shows what as assett he would be to us. If we took him to SL he would only be 26, playing some of the best rugby of his carear with a higher standing of playing saff playing around him.



Club would be stupid to let either of these two go.

Smith is a quality player IMO and is certainly worthy of a 2 year deal for you guys.

I’d say practically every Widnes supporter would agree but, for what ever reason, Smithy seems to be out of favour with the coach.





It might be do do with his high wages. I believe he’s one of the clubs highest earners – though I could be wrong.

Sometimes there are certain players you just have to keep and from a Fax perspective i believe that we always look at Smith as the main threat to us when we play you. However, Widnes have done a great job with the youth and maybe your board could be looking a season ahead to the likely scenario of SL so that they can save a few bob until its needed.

This could be part of the problem, as perhaps they will only be handing out one-year contracts to some players, with a view to ensuring that they can just release all the players they don’t want in 2012 (should Widnes get a licence) and thus have the maximum amount of room under the cap to recruit the best possible team for SL. I can see why some players may reject a one season contract and look elsewhere for a better deal.



Of course I’m only guessing here.