Don't forget Ayling's been playing in a worse team with us, than Smith was, not to say that makes Ayling worse mind, as it doesn't. He would look better in a better team though, as he would be under threat less, which is why I think Dijksteele's also been massively exposed.
I think Smith's level of play is basic, won't stand out and won't let you down, and there's nothing wrong with that, but it's hard to get promoted with that, you need more for top 3. Not that I'm saying we can afford top 3, as we probably can't (with a quick result), but we need to be realistic.
Attitude should be a given, this should be par, not something worthy of too much praise, but I get what you mean, at a time when a lot of players have a poor attitude. Incidentally like one of the right backs who we used to have, who was at Leeds, who they seemed to have kicked out again for poor attitude. They must have a lot of right backs! Leeds need above average playing ability, in all areas, or they won't get promoted, so must see the risk of letting Spence and Ayling go as worth that. They can afford the risk I suppose.
Leadership, from a senior player should almost be a given, and we should have plenty of leaders. Ayling was Leeds captain, many times, and they've been above us for years, so we should trust that. Also, he's only had a few games, normally it's not wise to shout your mouth off when you first arrive in a new job, at least until you've had time to figure things out. Sometimes saying nothing is better than saying the wrong thing.
We're a fair way short of getting into the play-offs I think, and much further from actually being able to win them (much further than last year). Too many injuries, too many disruptions and not enough time with a lot of new/ younger lads, play-offs is a tough ask. Not that I think we should have took all sorts of financial risks in January to go for that either mind, this is slow project, which should be longer term beneficial, I don't mind waiting if we do it right.
