Matty Smith

[Wes]

Just a question for you all, and don't weigh into me it is a question to be answered both sensibly and honestly?

What are the key differences between Tommy and Smith player wise?
Also is Tommy better than Smith if so why?

Tackling!! Tommy is probably better than some teams second row forwards when it comes to tackling.
Having seen Smith's support running he is probably similar to Tommy, probably slightly faster, but don't quote me on that.
Smith has a decent passing game, and his attacking kicking in the play off's last season was very good.
I have always thought attacking kicks were one of Tommy's weaker points apart from grubbers into the in goal.
However if I were given the choice, I would still take Tommy, but think Smith will do very well assuming we manage to keep Finch.
I think keeping hold of Finch is the key to next season really.

Somewhat agree with your post, good points you make!

Now think about what Smith can become when he is even fitter and has a mean defence courtesy of our training program add to that some quality HB coaching from Harris and Deacs to add to what Longy has taught him and what do we get ......... IMO a very good, shrewd signing!

[OAMJSONA]

so when will Rangi Chase be signing

[DaveO]

Just a question for you all, and don't weigh into me it is a question to be answered both sensibly and honestly?

What are the key differences between Tommy and Smith player wise?
Also is Tommy better than Smith if so why?

Tommy is faster, stronger (scores tries Smith will never be able to due his strength) and defensively on completely different level.

Smith has probably got the better passing game but there isn't much in it.

Smith's kicking game is supposed to be better but if you read the Salford board on rlfans it has not been that good this season anyway.

In summary Smith is more of a classic scrum half but a pretty average one whereas Tommy is not your typical 7 but he brings far more to the game IMO. Smith isn't outstanding enough in other areas to make up for what we will lose when Tommy goes IMO.

[cpwigan]

I think he's just an ordinary player. Not my idea of a good signing.

Same here. Before this rumour appeared his name was never mentioned as someone we should be looking at by anyone on here or rlfans for that matter. He just wasn't on the radar.

Whenever other players have been discussed as a half back replacements such as Scott Dureau, Brough or even Kevin Brown, Matty Smith's name has never entered the discussion as an alternative. People even said when discussing Brough he wasn't needed (if we kept Finch) as we have Mellor and Powell.

Now we look like we have signed Smith he has become a good player overnight.

No

You and everybody (incl myself obviously) I guess make assumptions based on limited information.

To the best of my knowledge it was never a Kevin Brown or Smith option. It would have been BOTH. Brown was very close to signing for us bar a latst minute reversal. Ben Roberts has had an offer, far less than he wants BTW. The likes of Brown / Roberts were probably lined up for the same spot as a running halfback.

A playmaking halfback was still needed. Smith fills that role with an excellent kicking game.

The vibes I get are that people at Wigan feel Finchy will go or at the very least they need a plan B to cover his potential loss.

Wigan will like all top clubs be planning well ahead BUT aware that the best laid plans can be scuppered by existing players.

Sometimes, it is better to wait and see. Leon Pryce actually had a tour of the JJB before then signing for St Helens. It is easy to see how 2+2 suddenly makes 5 in RLfan world.

[bazward76]

I've not been a member for very long so don't know what the feeling was between posters on this sight when it was announced that Wigan had signed Tommy. What I do remember of the time is that some fans were'nt that impressed with the news and labelled Tommy as average and injury prone. He was given his chance and look at the outcome, he has turned himself into a vital member of the team who all fans will miss when he leaves.

From what i've seen of Matty Smith he seems a fairly decent player with a good range of skills and with the right guidance I think he'll do well for us. In his early career he was understudy to Sean Long so he couldn't have had a better mentor. If he has as reported agreed terms then when he gets here he's gonna be able to work with another two of super leagues best halfbacks in Deacon and Harris. I'd be willing to bet that between them and Shaun Wane they can take him to the next level.

I hope the fans give him a chance to settle and who knows maybe a few years down the line we'll be holding him in the same high regard as we do Tommy.

[mickh]

bazward, when Bronco's played at Brentford, Luluia beat us by himself (him being their scrum half), I forget who our scrum half was at that away game but no one could hold a candle to him. He was injury prone but as you say ,he has grown out of it, better training methods probably.
On reflection, I cannot see a better "stand out" half back to take over from him but Rangi Chase is a close runner after last nights performance!
Mick

[Wigan_forever1985]

Ive always liked smith i thought he was unlucky at stains not to get more game time. I think he could be a good signing for us, i think again the key is finch staying.

Our coaching and fitness levels are better than salfords so it be interesting to see how he goes in a top class outfit.

Its strange looking back at the Tommy L thread someone dredged up from 2007 where people were slagging him off, and i made the point he was behind a failing pack and that limits a scrum half.

Our pack gives our backs a lot of time to do what they do and im sure Matty smith will look and play better for us because of that fact.

[bazward76]

bazward, when Bronco's played at Brentford, Luluia beat us by himself (him being their scrum half), I forget who our scrum half was at that away game but no one could hold a candle to him. He was injury prone but as you say ,he has grown out of it, better training methods probably.
On reflection, I cannot see a better "stand out" half back to take over from him but Rangi Chase is a close runner after last nights performance!
Mick

I'm not saying Tommy was a bad player at all when he played for the Bronco's and ok he played well against us but at the time Wigan signed him was he the same class and quality that he is now?
I certainly don't recall that many people getting overly excited by his signing.

He has been given an opportunity to improve himself at a bigger better quality club and has taken his game to another level. I'm merely saying that given the same opportunity, Matty Smith could do the same.

On the subject of Rangi Chase, do you think he could fit into a team with so much quality? He's head and shoulders above any Cas players so maybe this is why he stands out so much. He's a great individual player but I wonder whether he could fit in with Wigan especially as we have our very own fantastic individualist in Sam.
Could they both play in the same team and both be as effective? Just a thought!

[stevo38]

after watching rangi chase last night it seemed his team mates didnt know what he was going to do just no cohesion i was more impressed with ben jefferies

[DaveO]

I think he's just an ordinary player. Not my idea of a good signing.

Same here. Before this rumour appeared his name was never mentioned as someone we should be looking at by anyone on here or rlfans for that matter. He just wasn't on the radar.

Whenever other players have been discussed as a half back replacements such as Scott Dureau, Brough or even Kevin Brown, Matty Smith's name has never entered the discussion as an alternative. People even said when discussing Brough he wasn't needed (if we kept Finch) as we have Mellor and Powell.

Now we look like we have signed Smith he has become a good player overnight.

No

You and everybody (incl myself obviously) I guess make assumptions based on limited information.

To the best of my knowledge it was never a Kevin Brown or Smith option. It would have been BOTH. Brown was very close to signing for us bar a latst minute reversal. Ben Roberts has had an offer, far less than he wants BTW. The likes of Brown / Roberts were probably lined up for the same spot as a running halfback.

I never said it was a Brown or Smith option. I was pointing out that whenever any half back was discussed on this forum and people offered alternatives to whoever had been mentioned as possibly coming to Wigan, Smith's name never cropped up as someone people were saying they would like at the club. This suggests to me no one rated him worth a mention but now it seems he is just what we need :eusa16: