|
|
Post by Scott on May 22, 2006 13:26:39 GMT
ClickitDiscuss the latest RepublikOfMancunia.org's blog article here 
|
|
|
|
Post by onenedkelly on May 22, 2006 13:40:01 GMT
A truly incredibble guy who's always up for the challenge to prove himself.
I remember watching a video of him as a kid when he refused to stay at Lilleshall and left football completely for a two year break to compete in BMX racing of which he became Junior British champion.
When he started out as a striker I think he went on a good run when he was in the team and scored 7 or so goals early on but thats all I recall of his career as a striker at United.
Put into midfield when we were struggling, a position he played very well in for Leeds in his last season allbeit he didn't play as a defensive midfielder.
What have the following 3 names got in common?
Lampard
Davids
Papa Diop
They all got owned by Smith last season
|
|
|
|
Post by Busby Boy on May 22, 2006 13:40:03 GMT
Top quality read.
Smudger for me should remain in midfield. We have a lot of strikers and to see him sitting on the bench for the majority of the season would be shit, atleast in midfield his desire and passion can be channelled in order to make us stronger and we are obviously quite weak in that area.
His performance against Chelsea last season was excellent and showed he can cut it as a midfielder for the World's biggest club. But, you have to say his goal vs. Norwich and his crunching tackle and cool, calm finish past now-Red Edwin Van Der Sar summed him up as a striker.
Yet again, good read!
That is quality and sums him up as a person and football player. That is what United need at the club in times when Chelsea can buy almost anyone.
|
|
|
|
Post by 7even on May 22, 2006 13:50:14 GMT
Great write up again Scott. He told me a bit back he wants to stay in midfield, but is happy to play anywhere for united, as long as he can help out and get some action. I’ve played against him as a defender and I’ve played with him as a central midfield pair and I think he’s a bulldog in both areas. I personally want him to stay in midfield, as MUFCADZ said to see him sat on the bench would be horrible. And I believe he can become a better defensive midfielder than a striker.
|
|
jogabonito
United Reserve Player
When passion leads to madness
Posts: 253
|
Post by jogabonito on May 22, 2006 14:23:49 GMT
my take on smith...is that while at times he has seemed a decent midfield player....he still has a lot to learn in the position....i remember against blackburn at home....we concded a goal because scholes had the ball jus outside our area...n was surrounded by three players, lost the ball and we conceded....scholes had no easy pass on and smith was standing 20 yards from him waiting for the ball..... keane would have seen scholes in danger n come to within 5-7 yards of scholes and recieve a simple pass to get scholes out of trouble..... so smith's lack of awareness cost us the goal in my opinion....
if he can iron out these small lapses...he could do a very good job in midfield for us tho.....
|
|
|
|
Post by onenedkelly on May 22, 2006 14:31:00 GMT
Another one of his problems is knowing when to stand or when to go to ground in a tackle.
he must remember he's of no use to us 15 yards in the oppositions half sat on his arse.
His desire to win makes him go for everyball cos he believes in his quality but he must learn when to dive in and when not, something that came natural to Roy Keane
|
|
jogabonito
United Reserve Player
When passion leads to madness
Posts: 253
|
Post by jogabonito on May 22, 2006 14:37:10 GMT
ye at the end of the day...when do see keane, vieira or makalele make sliding tackles....they prefer to muscle ppl of the ball most of the time....something smith hasnt mastered
|
|
|
|
Post by Busby Boy on May 22, 2006 14:37:53 GMT
His desire to win makes him go for everyball cos he believes in his quality but he must learn when to dive in and when not, something that came natural to Roy Keane A perfect Roy Keane example of this was THAT tackle on Haaland... hehe! |
|
|
|
Post by onenedkelly on May 22, 2006 14:52:10 GMT
And he remained on his feet to give him the verbals "Take that you Cunt"  What suprised me was the City players did nothing, they left Keane give it him whilst he was on the floor. Jeff Whitley the scummer just stood there looking at Keane and saying nothing the shit house although he had the Audacity to call me an Ironin board in a row in a Curry house over a bird I was nailing. He'd been buying her Champers all night and when I came in the pub she fcuked him off and came and sat on me knee, which he didn't take kindly too and followed me to the Curry house around the corner with a doorman (minder) from the Palace nightclub in Levenshulme to give me some sh!t  Loser His desire to win makes him go for everyball cos he believes in his quality but he must learn when to dive in and when not, something that came natural to Roy Keane A perfect Roy Keane example of this was THAT tackle on Haaland... hehe! |
|
|
|
Post by Busby Boy on May 22, 2006 14:57:14 GMT
Jeff Whitley?!?!.... the LEGEND himself  |
|
|
|
Post by onenedkelly on May 22, 2006 15:00:25 GMT
LEG END Jeff Whitley?!?!.... the LEGEND himself |
|
|
|
Post by 2olegend on May 22, 2006 15:04:33 GMT
he did well in a time we were desperate for a midfield! but if we have to rely on him in midfield next season, we are fucked!!! he is a striker and a fuckin good one at that too! yes, he did well in midfield, but that is a problem that can now be assessd, we can now go out and buy a real defensive midfielder and do away with the make shift mid weve had for the last 6 months!
|
|
|
|
Post by missunited on May 22, 2006 17:02:51 GMT
When Smithy first came to United, I must say I wasn't sure of him, although I appreciated that he had been a very important part of the Leeds time, I wasn't sure what he could do for us. Especially as he is in my opinion not one of the best footballers around, but the reason he was brilliant for Leeds was his determination to succeed and mostly his passion for the club. At the time I doubted he'd be able to show the same amount of passion for United.
He's proved me wrong though I'll give him that, he's a fighter, and a tough one as well. As for whether he should play up front or midfield. Personally, I think it would be interesting to see him and Rooney together. They're both strong and passionate, and it would be interesting to see how they would interact with each other over a longer period of time. Having said that, I doubt it Smith will ever be first choice up front, so whether he'll be better at it or not, he will have to stay in the central midfield if he wants to be in the starting line up, something I think he will deserve if he continues on good form once he's back from his injury. He's a strong character, passionate and a quick learner. Sure he's made mistakes as a midfielder, but it's not his natural possition, but unlike a lot of other players he just gets on with it.
|
|
Chris
United Bench Warmer
Posts: 968
|
Post by Chris on May 22, 2006 17:11:28 GMT
I'd like to see him and saha battling it out to play up along side Rooney (unless of course he is having a nightmare time and needs to battle for his place). I think the way he has gone about recovering from his injury shows the kind of player he is and healthy competition between him and Saha could work wonders.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dizzy on May 22, 2006 17:18:01 GMT
I wonder how Smithy would do in a more attacking midfield role?
|
|
