Smith anniversary marked by Keegan denial

Dozza wrote...

The signs were better last night but overall we have a small squad going into the new season. In my opinion Smith has always been overated. Even at Leeds he only really came to prominence once the likes of Fowler, Huckerby and Robbie Keane had all left. However he deserves credit for his attitude and enthusiasm. Unless we have a replacement lined up I think we should keep him.

Posted by: Dozza  | August 7, 2008 5:09 AM

Richard Johnson wrote...

Dozza please read the whole blog. Lee said first HOME goal, since this was his debut HOME game. I do rate smith for trying but his role has to be midfield since you need strikers to score or have a huge assist count. Smith has neither hence why Big Sam played him in defensive midfield.

Lee, the news about Freddie Ljungberg being paid off by West Ham, does that mean he can't play for another team otherwise he will sacrifise his 6 million pay off. Have West Ham given a player the right to retire early???? Could other teams screw players over like this in the future.

Back to last night, I may have to change my dream team this year already because Danny Guithrie can score, and play football, no wonder some Liverpool players said they were disappointed he was allowed to leave. Common United make me proud this season.

Posted by: Richard Johnson  | August 7, 2008 8:45 AM

Dave B wrote...

For me Smith seems happy to let the term commitment define him and his game, which is fine and dandy, but he's shown that he's much, much better than that.
If he chilled a bit he'd be all the better for it (the caveat being that when we play Sunderland he should be fed raw steak and toe-ended in the plums by the physio before kick off - obviously).

Posted by: Dave B  | August 7, 2008 10:07 AM

Peter wrote...

If we can get £3m for him, take it! He's no longer a striker (their job is to score goals), he's not creative enough to be a good midfielder and too expensive as a squad player.

Posted by: Peter  | August 7, 2008 10:25 AM

Topher wrote...

Dozza, I'm not disagreeing with you but there was a replay of the famous Leeds vs Real Madrid Champions League Semi-Final when all was rosy in that garden. Smith started up front with Viduka. Ther's no doubt, he's gone backwards ever since.

I think Smith is a good player in general, shows some nice touches, holds the ball up well but he just doesn't get in the right positions to score goals and that's the main issue. It might just be me, but I can't remember him missing many chances - just can't remember him having many either. This is slightly alarming because you'd think someone in the club would notice this and work on it with him...

If we could get 3 million, then I think he should definitely go, if only to get rid of his wages. Sibierski proved once again that there are bargains to be had - he scored 8 goals in his only season and we need to remember this. Sometimes, you need good squad players like him - Keegan (along with Moyes and various others) keeps saying that he won't sign anyone unless they are better than what we've got. I disagree, I think better players need to be supplemented by good players who can step into their place, this is what Sibierski was. Unfortunately, it is also what Smith has kind of become, although he isn't delivering which is a shame.

Posted by: Topher  | August 7, 2008 10:50 AM

Paul Patterson wrote...

I think (Or rather hope) that Kev is doing a classic sales-man’s trick, the theory being that nothing is more attractive a proposition than something that isn’t available. If this were to be the case, then making Alan Smith ‘Unavailable’ could prompt interest from more parties, if the Everton interest is genuine.

I’ve said all I’m going to say on Alan Smith, Shola Ameobi and to a lesser extent Damien Duff, the latter actually having a good past record to at least claw some reputation from, but Ameobi, whilst having a great European record, is just not a top flight football and it’s sad that he seems unwilling to move down a league, obviously he has ideas above his station and needs to take a reality check.

You can blame Newcastle United for not developing him to a sufficient standard, or you can blame the lad himself for just not having ‘it’ or, you can do both, either way it’s now not Newcastle United’s problem to make sure Ameobi makes the grade as if Shola can’t even trap a ball at 26, he’s not a player I want anywhere near my team.

Alan Smith is exactly the same, he started off looking like a decent young lad, yet somebody obviously told him he was better than he was and now, sadly, Newcastle United are suffering as a result.

I was always a staunch critic of Keiron Dyer as he was always injured and had absolutely no shot on him, but compared to Alan Smith and Shola Ameobi, who seem to lack every natural thing a footballer needs to be a good talent, Dyer was a genius.

The side we had in 2001/02, was absolutely masterful compared to this current crop, it had everything but a leader at the back, pace in Bellamy, Robert, Dyer, Bernard and Lua-Lua, experience and quality in Speed, Solano and Shearer. This was backed up by young lads like Hughes, Obrien and the squad was enhanced with Woodgate, Jenas and Viana, supplemented with two top class goalkeepers.

Just rattling the names off makes me wince with absolute shock when you name the current: Viduka, Ameobi, Smith, Duff, Geremi to name the main culprits.

It’s going to take time to get back up to where we were in 2002, but one things for sure, and a quote which is very accurate,- ‘You’ve got to spend money when your at the top, just as you have to spend money when your at the bottom’- Sir John Hall, on the Alan Shearer deal, 2006.

We need four QUALITY (I repeat QUALITY) players and this is no time for skimping on a few hundred grand or even a million here or there. It’s going to get a whole lot rougher between now and August 31st 2008.

Paul.

Posted by: Paul Patterson  | August 7, 2008 11:11 AM

Deaco wrote...

To get Smith for £3 million has to be good business. Even if we are short on fit strikers we still have owen, Martins, Viduka and Carroll on our books. I would rather play Milner off one of these players than have Smith around. Nowhere in the world is there a striker who doesn't score a gal all season being sold for £3million!!! It makes complete sense to cash in!

I don't buy the "sore ankle" verdict and I don't think the boys passion can compensate for lack of goals or creativity anymore.

Ashley, lets give the fans something to cheer about. What about Arshavan, out of our league perhaps, but he is willing to go to Spurs. He fits the age category for us.

Posted by: Deaco  | August 7, 2008 1:33 PM

Phil wrote...

Can't dribble, can't shoot, poor passer, doesn't read the game, flies into tackles recklessly, other than that he's a decent player, and "he's a nice lad". Seriously the early promise maybe combined with injuries, has never materialized - no room for sentimentality as Ferguson showed when he saw us coming.

Posted by: Phil  | August 7, 2008 4:28 PM

ronnie lambert wrote...

The sooner Smith goes the better, he's deadwood though a canny lad. I'm a canny lad but I couldn't get into the first team, or the infants probably. From what's been attributed to Ashley's true vision for NUFC today, I fully expect him to bring in a few more signings, otherwise this club will struggle when winter comes, with injuries and cards etc.( not the mackem cards, wi' snotty noses and sneyzes ). I said not long ago that MA won't be able to show his face in the Strawberry so much if he neglects his duties to the 'real owners' of this club, the fans by renegueing on his word to strengthen the team. After all, many thousands will stop coming if we have another poor season so, his 'good' business brain must surely dictate the obvious.

Posted by: ronnie lambert  | August 8, 2008 1:23 PM

Mark wrote...

I think the squad we have, just isnt good enough to sustain an assault on the top 6, never mind Liverpool's annual 4th place finish...

Once the Coloccini deal is tied up, we need a left back, a creative midfielder centrally, a midfield anchor who can learn from Nicky Butt and a striker.

We should have got Shorey...£3.5m!! Bargain, him and Enrique pushing for left back would have pushed them both on.

As for midfielders and strikers, anybodies guess.

We have a good first team, and one or two good subs, but you need 11 first class players, then you need 5 - 8 good players, then the youth. We have about 7 first class players, being Beye, Owen, Martins, Butt, Coloccini, Given and Harper. Enrique, Taylor, Faye, Milner, Duff, Viduka, N'Zogbia are good enough for a team around 8th place.

Gutierrez seems quick and a good player, Danny Guthrie seems promising.

3 more top players and we will have 6th place.

Posted by: Mark  | August 8, 2008 1:36 PM

BigAL wrote...

Let's be absolutely clear, the signing of Alan Smith for £6M and on a reported £60K a week, was a disaster of Boumsong proportions - thanks Sam! I truly, truly hope Paul Patterson's reading of Keegan's comments are spot on and that Kev is doing a classic sales-man’s trick, talking up Smith, saying how invaluable he is, thereby implying to Everton he would be a sound investment.

If Everton do make a £3M bid, I would snap their hands of in a micro second. Why? Well lets look at the facts:

Smith, has been a complete flop at St James’ Park and has not scored in 37 competitive games in a black & white shirt. Even the woeful Stephane Guivarc'h managed to find the back of the net and he only put in 4 appearances.

In fact, Smith has not scored a domestic competitive goal since 19 November 2005, that's nearly 3 years ago! YES NEARLY 3 YEARS! During this time even Shola has managed to bag 12 goals, with his limited appearances and Shola is seen to be surplus to requirements. Now I am not Shola's biggest fan but he is a much better asset than the hapless Smith.

But what about Smith's great contribution to the team? His never say die attitude? Well all I see is Smith giving away needless free kicks with over zealous tackling, too many of which are conceded just outside the penalty area with the resulting free kicks leading directly to us conceding goals. This is not an asset to the team, it is a liability! Then his tally of yellow and red cards will ensure we never qualify for a UEFA slot via the fair play league.

Fingers crossed he is on his way, then if we can just get rid of Barton .....

Posted by: BigAL  | August 8, 2008 7:39 PM