England 2021/22

[Teddington Logic]

He really doesn't help himself at times. I don't agree that he's been sexist though which some have responded to this with.

I tend to agree. It was ill informed, completely inaccurate and very disrespectful. Throwing someone under a bus when you can't even be bothered to say their name says a lot about your personality

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I still don't get why there is this idea that Smith is some teenager breaking out from nowhere who needs to be protected. He has been Quins starting 10 for the last 3 years.

I know, right
He's only 8 months younger than Tom Curry - they would've been in the same year at school

He definitely has a lot of attention on him atm due to Quins meteoric rise/prem win, but he's not some little kid and has been in a pro sports environment for a a number of years now

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

He is right in what he is saying though.

I don't agree with his comments re Radacanu mainly since she hasn't really done much since and not like tennis is crazy with events rn anyway.

But he's right about young players getting distracted at times when they are hot **** in the media.

I would like to know the question Eddie was asked in regards to this answer and find it annoying when press don't write it down.

 

[Teddington Logic]

might also be EJ trying to get in an early justification for picking Faz at 10 on Saturday so that he "protects Smith"

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I would like to know the question Eddie was asked in regards to this answer and find it annoying when press don't write it down.

Yeah, that's a good point

Guess it's as much on the author as the interviewee - just seems like a completely unnecessary article that's just going to get Smith unwarranted negative attention
Already seen some people saying it's evidence that Smith's a bit of a diva, cause why else why EJ say it?

 

[Teddington Logic]

He is right in what he is saying though.

I don't agree with his comments re Radacanu mainly since she hasn't really done much since and not like tennis is crazy with events rn anyway.

But he's right about young players getting distracted at times when they are hot **** in the media.

I would like to know the question Eddie was asked in regards to this answer and find it annoying when press don't write it down.

You are very right here. I would love to know what he was asked
There is a serious point about helping people stay focused and actually there was a good point to make about how England and the clubs support players. But to just lay into a player from another sport like that in a completely inaccurate way was just plain wrong

I do find it somewhat bizarre that when professional players now receive media training and are helped in every aspect of how they deal with the press, you have the England Manager who manages to consistently speak absolute rubbish

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Yeah, that's a good point

Guess it's as much on the author as the interviewee - just seems like a completely unnecessary article that's just going to get Smith unwarranted negative attention
Already seen some people saying it's evidence that Smith's a bit of a diva, cause why else why EJ say it?

Even though Eddie says in that article he's a grounded player currently buts it's buried in everything else.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I do find it somewhat bizarre that when professional players now receive media training and are helped in every aspect of how they deal with the press, you have the England Manager who manages to consistently speak absolute rubbish

TBF to Eddie I don't think he likes the players being media coached

 

[Teddington Logic]

TBF to Eddie I don't think he likes the players being media coached

surely he wouldnt object to players being told to get their facts right before opening their mouths.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

surely he wouldnt object to players being told to get their facts right before opening their mouths.

Honestly doubt he would care.

 

[Teddington Logic]

Honestly doubt he would care.

unfortunately you are probably correct

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Interesting the BBC leaves out

"It might not be to that degree with Marcus, but potentially it could be. So, the guidance we can give him when he's with us, the guidance he gets from Quins and the guidance he gets from his parents – who I know, fortunately, are very good people – will be important, so he can keep his feet on the ground and keep impressing as a rugby player."

 

[Teddington Logic]

Smith of course is also fortunate in that he has Joe Marler to mentor him

 

[Geordie]

Smith of course is also fortunate in that he has Joe Marler to mentor him

And Nick Evans im sure will help keep his feet firmly on the floor...

 

[Crash Hamster]

I know, right
He's only 8 months younger than Tom Curry - they would've been in the same year at school

It's almost as if Eddie just can't believe that Smith is *that* good, whereas all available evidence to date shows that he is, in fact, *that* good.

He can run, pass, tackle (legally, too...), kick from hand and tee, he has an uncoachable instinct as to when to do what, is a natural leader who inspires those around him, he seems popular and he's a winner. He even seems reasonably durable. At no stage so far has he failed to make the immediate step up when presented with the chance.

I can't remember any England fly half who has been *that* good (and I used to go to The Reddings to watch Moseley in the 1970s, so I've seen a few.) It's just possible that we've actually got a unicorn player in a pivotal position and EJ seems afraid to believe it. It seems such a waste, just because it's also possible that he never kicks on from being already better than several who have 50+ caps.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

It was a similar story with Itoje, but he just kept putting in performances that were impossible to ignore.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

To be fair EJ has been a big fan of Smith since 2015
Think he saw him playing for Brighton while he was coaching Japan in the world cup, and then when EJ took over with England he invited Smith along to train with England when they had a camp in Brighton - he would've only been about 16

It was a similar story with Itoje, but he just kept putting in performances that were impossible to ignore.

Was it?
EJ called Maro into his first England squad when he took over and he's been a starter ever since

 

[ncurd]

Was it?
EJ called Maro into his first England squad when he took over and he's been a starter ever since

My memory was less he wasn't picked when ready just EJ was cooling expectations because they were so high. Compared him to a rubbish car instead of a good one saying he still had much to learn.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ah, fair enough

EJ has flapped his gums so much over the last 6 years it's hard to keep track

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Smith has all the skills, he just needs some experience. Frankly, his biggest challenge is likely to be if Jones forgets why he picked him in the first place and tries to turn him into something he's not.