Cameron Smith believes Leeds Rhinos face one of their most important weeks in the season - despite not having a game. After being dumped out of the Challenge Cup by Castleford Tigers, Leeds are without a game this weekend, which will give them extra time on the training field.
That, according to Smith, is undoubtedly good news. The Rhinos have faltered badly so far this season and have won just one of their opening eight games, leaving them near the bottom of the Super League table.
However, Smith says the time will be put to good use to right many of the wrongs that have been served up so far, with the ball-playing forward adamant things will turn around for the Rhinos in the coming weeks.
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"We've got some time now," Smith said. "We don't have a game this week and it gives us time to get stuck into training and fix some things up on the field. In terms of pivotal points, I think you'll see an improvement in fixtures to come.
"As proud players we've got to stick within the bubble and not look elsewhere at the outside noise. All the boys have the backs of the rest and in weeks to come we'll be on the same page and you'll see things start to change."
One of the obvious areas of improvement is attack. The Rhinos have scored just 90 points in the opening seven games of the season, the worst record in the competition.
As an additional pivot in the Rhinos attack, Smith has first-hand on-field knowledge of the issues troubling the side, but he believes getting a better understanding between players will fix up those problems.
"It's timing," he said. "With Blake (Austin) and Seze (Aidan Sezer) coming in we're sort of having to adjust things. Some have had to take a step back and others a step forward to implement everyone's game. As a team that's what you've got to do. I know we're in a bad patch but I think we'll come good.
"People bring different things to the table and as a team, we have to make sure everyone puts their best foot forward. As I said, if that means people like myself have to take a step back to implement someone else's game, that's what a good team does. I think you'll see in the next few weeks that things will start to click."
Above anything else, the 23-year-old is just determined to get back to winning after a tough period at the start of the campaign.
"I watch a lot of footy, it's a big rugby family and me personally, I struggle to put it to bed once I leave these four walls. But I've learnt a lot about myself recently about being together and tipping in and being on the same page.
"On personal terms, I feel I deal with it pretty well and I have to because I want to be back winning. I know I will, and the team will do whatever it takes to start winning again."
