Matty Smith leaves Catalans by mutual consent

[Gerrumonside ref 1,716]

Just been reported by the BBC and others.

Did the 32 year old live up to his early promise?

Where do we think he’ll go next?

Edited December 5, 2019 by Gerrumonside ref

[Nate90 85]

His game management was brilliant at Wigan.

[EastLondonMike 1,329]

Do London need a half after Brock Lamb leaving? Or maybe Hudds?

[Clogiron 1,493]

Leigh? They seem to be collecting cast-off half-backs, on his doorstep too.

[Leonard 321]

1 hour ago, EastLondonMike said:

Do London need a half after Brock Lamb leaving? Or maybe Hudds?

No thanks.

We have Morgan Smith and Aston. Plus Meadows in the wings.

[Man of Kent 5,182]

Toronto?

[Mr Frisky 578]

He gets a lot of stick on here but I thought he was great at Wigan and he has a very good kicking game.

Hope he gets a SL club.

[paulwalker71 2,038]

Maybe Widnes or someone like that?

[Hullfan 191]

Hull KR

[JohnM 6,029]

Never been a particular fan of his. ( as if he knows or cares!) He did have some very good games at Wigan, that's true. But a good kicking game? Not sure I agree with that when kicking on the last. maybe his team mates not quick enough?

However, Lance Todd winner, 723 points for Wigan in 139 games, three Grand Finals, one as a winner, and deservedly man of the match in the final England V NZ test at the DW in 2015.  But something not quite right when you've played for 7 different clubs. 

Of course, we don't really know why he was released by Catalans...or any of the other clubs he played for. 

[Leonard 321]

My assumption was that it is an open secret he is "done".

[Lowdesert 2,451]

3 minutes ago, JohnM said:

Never been a particular fan of his. ( as if he knows or cares!) He did have some very good games at Wigan, that's true. But a good kicking game? Not sure I agree with that when kicking on the last. maybe his team mates not quick enough?

However, Lance Todd winner, 723 points for Wigan in 139 games, three Grand Finals, one as a winner, and deservedly man of the match in the final England V NZ test at the DW in 2015.  But something not quite right when you've played for 7 different clubs. 

Of course, we don't really know why he was released by Catalans...or any of the other clubs he played for. 

Quite a steady player but McNamara quotes indicate he just didn’t fit in.

That point about players having a big amount if clubs isn’t far off the mark imo.  

[Moove 608]

Give him a simple game plan and structured plays and he's a decent half. I think that's why he went well at Wigan under Wane for a decent spell, there wasn't really any expectation for him to set the game alight or play what was in front of him, it was all about getting the ball to the right players at the right time to execute the plays. Similarly his kicking game is half decent but predictable.

Put him in a team with less structured play where the key players have a bit more freedom to play the situation, take the line on and he struggles. You're not likely to see that match winning piece of magic or conjuring of something from nothing that a lot of people want to see from a half back. He's just not that type of player.

Like painting your walls beige. Sure it does a job, but it's a bit, meh...

[RayCee 1,578]

I visit a Catalan forum on occasion and he didn't seem popular among the fans commenting there. 

[Lowdesert 2,451]

16 minutes ago, RayCee said:

I visit a Catalan forum on occasion and he didn't seem popular among the fans commenting there. 

Can’t go on those views much.  Represented England so not a dud by any stretch.

I think Moove sums it up though.  Polar opposite to Albert Kelly.

[Scubby 10,663]

Spud would still have him in the England team!  

[Mr Frisky 578]

With Sammut gone maybe back to Wigan as a cheapish bench / Reserve player??

[ghost crayfish 750]

In fairness to Matty Smith, I think he did much better for England than someone like Luke Gale, or Rangi Chase before that. He's also won multiple Superleague titles. He's probably washed up now, but certainly wasn't the worst.

[saintspete83 390]

5 hours ago, JohnM said:

Never been a particular fan of his. ( as if he knows or cares!) He did have some very good games at Wigan, that's true. But a good kicking game? Not sure I agree with that when kicking on the last. maybe his team mates not quick enough?

However, Lance Todd winner, 723 points for Wigan in 139 games, three Grand Finals, one as a winner, and deservedly man of the match in the final England V NZ test at the DW in 2015.  But something not quite right when you've played for 7 different clubs. 

Of course, we don't really know why he was released by Catalans...or any of the other clubs he played for. 

Those man of the match performances for England and Lance to have one big similarity. Both were played in bad weather conditions what suited his game. 

[Damien 7,409]

I liked Smith at Wigan. He was a steady player that did the simple basics well that allowed those outside of him to flourish.

[Oliver Clothesoff 2,805]

Smith was finished at Wigan, he was certainly over the hill at Saints and he was absolutely abysmal for Catalans. I will be shocked if he gets another go in Super League but I don’t know if his arrogance would see him drop to the Championship. 

[LR23 134]

19 hours ago, Man of Kent said:

Toronto?

If he isn't 'finished' and can get himself back into shape then that would be a very good shout. They could do with some experience and marshalling in the middle for this transition year. They'd obviously prefer a bigger name but needs must.

[Man of Kent 5,182]

40 minutes ago, LR23 said:

If he isn't 'finished' and can get himself back into shape then that would be a very good shout. They could do with some experience and marshalling in the middle for this transition year. They'd obviously prefer a bigger name but needs must.

They certainly need another halfback. They are probably the weakest in that area in SL.

[Wigan Riversider 113]

10 hours ago, Oliver Clothesoff said:

Smith was finished at Wigan, he was certainly over the hill at Saints and he was absolutely abysmal for Catalans. I will be shocked if he gets another go in Super League but I don’t know if his arrogance would see him drop to the Championship. 

Would say finished after Wigan.

Can see where you are coming from with the rest of your post.

[Oliver Clothesoff 2,805]

3 hours ago, Wigan Riversider said:

Would say finished after Wigan.

Can see where you are coming from with the rest of your post.

Thought his last year at Wigan was pretty much the end, IMO.