Vicarage Road ding dong is a good sign for Newcastle United
Anybody trying to make a meal of Mike Williamson and Alan Smith's heated exchange at Watford must lead a placid and sheltered life.
When Will Hoskins netted a late goal for the Hornets Smith wasn't backwards in going forwards in telling Williamson what he thought and that had the recent signing made a more convincing clearance to start with then the goal would not have been scored.
The fact that it did not only cost Newcastle a clean sheet but with two minutes left of stoppage time made it a nervous end to a game the Magpies had never looked like doing anything other than taking three points.
They 2-1 is the worst lead to have in football and that's right, hence the panic in the Toon back four when Hoskins struck late on.
There have been plenty of fights between team-mates in the past in football and anybody who plays the game themselves must have been caught in some confrontation at some stage with so many twists and turns during 90 minutes of play.
When news filtered through that Williamson and Smith had to be pulled apart, many instantly thought of the Kieron Dyer v Lee Bowyer incident.
This was nothing like that - Dyer and Bowyer was about egos and this was about wanting to do well for the black and whites.
Then, in 2005, a Newcastle team that were letting the fans down already disgraced themselves even more.
This time two players who were desperate to get a vital win for the club became frustrated and two of United's best professionals made no secret of their anger at conceding so late.
Smith and Williamson quickly made up after the game and there was nothing in it.
No grudges and no ill feeling.
It's been well documented that Smith is a character that likes to get things off his chest.
And I have been involved in similar exchange with the Toon skipper myself when he was unhappy with a report in our sister paper and got me mixed up with somebody else.
My only thoughts after that were that it's a shame there aren't more like him.
If Smith does have a problem, it's that he is too honest compared to others, who will let things fester and cause issues further down the line.
And the only thing that both players had to say on the way out of Watford was: "Bring on Barnsley."
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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Lee; exactly, they did make a meal out of it and it went on far too long. had it been joey barton there would of been calls for him to be sacked. nevertheless i agree it was a storm in a tea cup but best left for the drssing room... i'm sure with this article you'll make up with smith.
Ryder's reply: Just to further underline what a top guy Smith is he patched it up there and then, and he understands the responsibility of being captain and always briefs the Press after games when he dons the armband.
I wish Alan Smith would channel his aggression in a more productive way. He's been poor of late and was the worst player against Watford in my opinion. He also had a dig at Guthrie and young Van Aanholt. I think he's had a poor second half to the season and his limited footballing ability is becoming more apparent. This may sound contreversial but that's how I see it. I like his commitment and his attitude on the pitch is usually spot on. Just a shame his ability does not match it. Guthrie and Nolan to play centre mid against Barnsley please, although that is unlikely.
I wish Alan Smith would channel his aggression in a more productive way. He's been poor of late and was the worst player against Watford in my opinion. He also had a dig at Guthrie and young Van Aanholt. I think he's had a poor second half to the season and his limited footballing ability is becoming more apparent. This may sound contreversial but that's how I see it. I like his commitment and his attitude on the pitch is usually spot on. Just a shame his ability does not match it. Guthrie and Nolan to play centre mid against Barnsley please, although that is unlikely.
I think you've nailed Smith's shortcomings perfectly; even though he definitely has had a good first half to the season, he doesn't always channel his aggression productively and since his awful injury, his footballing ability has become more limited. I also think the way to go is with Nolan and Guthrie, with the former making way when we can get someone with a bit of speed and vision in the centre of the park - but I'm not expecting that to happen any tyime soon!
Smith on the bench and Butt on the bus out of here.
There is more to Smudge than meets the eye. I personally think that he is the heartbeat of the team - and his influence on the pitch is is telling - without him - I believe that the capitulation at Orient would have set the pace for the rest of the season - instead - thanks largely to smudge - it was used as a pivotal point of the season.
I hope that history of NUFC will be kind to smithy - despite the disappointment of the years he spent injured and on the sidelines. All supporters owe him a big thanks.
Just out of interest - I noticed at the Preston game - Nolan and Carroll had a similar spat - they guys are clearly passinate - and what a great contrast to last seasons debacle
Agreed - when/if we go up then smudge/butt/Nolan will be yards - if not miles off the pace - but lets enjoy the team at the moment.
Good luck to big Andy in the week - the number 9 shirt must surely be waiting.
hahahaha very good lee,if you don't get free tickets anyway i'm sure smith will sort you out with at least a seat in row Z. and why not put i smith forward for mayor of newcaslte as well, i'm sure he'll do a canny job there too.
i have nothing against smith and agree with other comments i'm sure he adds a lot to the team in the dressing room and training and i don't mind his football either although i'm a little sad he didn't make it as a striker but a screaming shouting mentallity on the pitch in front of the crowd and press isn't brill. if my boss shouted at me i certainly wouldn't respond positively. it might recieve a round of aplause from certain sections of the fans but then again so would a pitch invasion..
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