ComeAllWithin

Rugby => ComeAllWithin Board => Topic started by: DOK on Sunday 30-Sep-2018, 11:41*

Title: Marcus Smith - Out of favour?
Post by: DOK on Sunday 30-Sep-2018, 11:41*
Both the Mail and the Grauniad describe marcus as being "out of favour" with James Lang starting.
Do you see it that way?

I saw it as a bit of rotation and player protection, Lang starts but Smith is there if needed.
Title: Re: Marcus Smith - Out of favour?
Post by: fandg2 on Sunday 30-Sep-2018, 11:49*
I don't see it as Smith out of favour, Gustard has a 50 - 50 choice on 10. Both players are developing and both are getting game time and both need managing, we just seem to go better starting with Lang at 10 atm.
Title: Re: Marcus Smith - Out of favour?
Post by: A222Quin on Sunday 30-Sep-2018, 12:32*
Pointless from the mail and grauniad. Smith played way more last season than anyone expected and with Lang being in decent form Gustard can manage Marcus’s development more effectively.
Title: Re: Marcus Smith - Out of favour?
Post by: NevsLeftBoot on Sunday 30-Sep-2018, 13:31*
It is just muck raking from the papers -
Gustard has two inexperienced 10's - both need game time, i think we will see lots of rotation - before one becomes the first choice.
Smith coming on, running at tired defences makes sense.

Also, we have to consider that Lang might get offered some cash to head to Scotland at the end of the season - so if we want to keep him, we need to play him.

I can't see the Cat getting near the team at the mo and if he is on decent wedge will be disposed of at the end of the season in an effort to keep Lang and Smith.

However, if we end up in a relegation scrap and need every point, tightened control on the tiller, might require Demetri....

Title: Re: Marcus Smith - Out of favour?
Post by: AdrianB on Sunday 30-Sep-2018, 14:16*
So if fit you don't see Cat good enough to force his way into the team, but if we need to fight off relegation then he'll be good enough/better than the other two?
Bizarre.
Title: Re: Marcus Smith - Out of favour?
Post by: Gone on Sunday 30-Sep-2018, 15:26*
In or out of favour I’m glad he’s not starting. His kicking out of hand and game control was poor when he had the shirt. Lang more assured. Any thing that makes him develop his mature game on top of his massive natural talent is a good thing. He was rushing everything, snatching at kicks and trying to make every move into a match-winning piece of play. A deep breath needed and he’ll be the superstar he promises to be.
Title: Re: Marcus Smith - Out of favour?
Post by: Comet on Sunday 30-Sep-2018, 15:56*
Not out of favour at all, just a position that can be rotated for the development (and protection) of two quality youngsters.

I think that Smith may start against Sarries on Saturday. After yesterday's win I think that is the only change Gustard may make. Although, the same starting 15 would be great!
Title: Re: Marcus Smith - Out of favour?
Post by: Gone on Sunday 30-Sep-2018, 17:39*
Not out of favour at all, just a position that can be rotated for the development (and protection) of two quality youngsters.

I think that Smith may start against Sarries on Saturday. After yesterday's win I think that is the only change Gustard may make. Although, the same starting 15 would be great!

After how they smashed Cipriani into silence I would worry a lot about starting Smith against Sarries.
Title: Re: Marcus Smith - Out of favour?
Post by: NevsLeftBoot on Sunday 30-Sep-2018, 17:46*
Adrian B - I didn't say he wasn't good enough to start or force his way in - my comments were more along the lines of - Gustard may have three FH to pick from - one hasn't played rugby for nearly a year, possibly takes a fair chunk of the cap and is older than the other two. So perhaps puts him out to pasture to bring the other two through - however if there is a need to utilise his skill set to save the team, then i can see that happening.

Is that clear?
Title: Re: Marcus Smith - Out of favour?
Post by: A222Quin on Sunday 30-Sep-2018, 17:58*
Lang did well against Sarries last year. His more robust approach may be what's needed. I'd leave Smithy for later games.
Title: Re: Marcus Smith - Out of favour?
Post by: AdrianB on Sunday 30-Sep-2018, 18:47*
NLB
Very clear,  but still bizarre. If he comes back to full fitness then he must be in with a shout of playing, I'm not suggesting he will just walk back into the team, but I don't believe PG will leave him out of the squad just so Lang and Smith can have more game time.
Title: Re: Marcus Smith - Out of favour?
Post by: JammyGit on Sunday 30-Sep-2018, 20:07*
Not out of favour at all, just a position that can be rotated for the development (and protection) of two quality youngsters.

I think that Smith may start against Sarries on Saturday. After yesterday's win I think that is the only change Gustard may make. Although, the same starting 15 would be great!

After how they smashed Cipriani into silence I would worry a lot about starting Smith against Sarries.

His kicking game isn't up to dealing with Sarries defence, but IMO he's a lot more willing to challenge them at the gainline than Cipriani was.
Title: Re: Marcus Smith - Out of favour?
Post by: Gone on Monday 01-Oct-2018, 06:15*
Yeah fair enough - but his kicking would kill us against Sarries.
Title: Re: Marcus Smith - Out of favour?
Post by: Comet on Monday 01-Oct-2018, 20:33*
Not out of favour at all, just a position that can be rotated for the development (and protection) of two quality youngsters.

I think that Smith may start against Sarries on Saturday. After yesterday's win I think that is the only change Gustard may make. Although, the same starting 15 would be great!

After how they smashed Cipriani into silence I would worry a lot about starting Smith against Sarries.

His kicking game isn't up to dealing with Sarries defence, but IMO he's a lot more willing to challenge them at the gainline than Cipriani was.

I take the above points but still think that Smith would relish the opportunity to go toe to toe with the best in the league. He may not have quite the full game yet but he has got fight, spirit and invention. He could really do something special on Saturday!
Title: Re: Marcus Smith - Out of favour?
Post by: JammyGit on Tuesday 02-Oct-2018, 21:05*
I'm watching the weekend's game, finally. Lang so far has dropped a ball cold in a dangerous position, not even slowed Polledri down for the Glaws opening try, made a really poor effort at a conversion, and shanked a penalty kick basically in front of the posts. He isn't having a shocker but that's a lot of critical errors in one half of rugby. Can't imagine anyone is standing out as our first choice 10 right now.