Southern Softy wrote:
Not sure where these young half-backs are. Is it Powell, who has been played at hooker all season and never impressed in the halves? Is it Hampshire who has been out on loan and could only get in the Cas side regularly on the wing? Is it Shorrocks who has mostly been a reserve hooker but on the occasions when he played, neither kicked or played well?
As I said in the press release:
With George Williams firmly established as an important First Team player and Thomas Leuluai re-joining the Club shortly in great form together with the emergence of Jake Shorrocks and the cover that Sam Powell brings, we felt that the time was right in view of his tremendous service to Wigan for Matty to take up this new opportunity and secure his long-term future.
The club clearly think they have four halfbacks and had it given Smith the same deal as he has got at Saints Powell and Shorrocks may as well have left.
Had he been given a contract Powell would not get a game as TL would be interchange at 9 with Micky Mac.
Leaving Powell out in 2017 after this season???? I think Mick Macs injury and this resulting in Powell's undoubted standing within the club after this seasons efforts from him has made that impossible.
Saints offer for Smith added to that and the fact we signed TL gave the club a way forward. Might be harsh but I can see the logic.
I really hope that our young players do come on but it only made sense to let Matty Smith go if there was a ready-made replacement being effectively kept out of the team?
I think the club also have taken note of the complaints about a poor attack and may feel TL is the better option to address this. A lot of blame was laid at Smiths feet for our poor attack with the only excuse being he was playing to orders (when a senior player should be able to know when to disobey them).