Nailer
United Bench Warmer
Keep the Red Flag Flying Highplg%%Paul Scholes%%
Posts: 942
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Post by Nailer on Jul 17, 2006 20:37:08 GMT
Well, what with the (apparent) impending influx of central mindfielders to Old Trafford, what do you think will happen to Smudger?
For me, Alan Smith has always worked hard and played well for the largest part of his appearances for the club. Once he gets over his injury, he wont want to sit out his immediate future on this sidelines.
Ok, for arguments sake, say United sign Torres, Carrick and Gattuso (this doesnt seem too far fetched at the moment), what will happen to Smith?
He'll have Gattuso, Carrick and Scholes ahed of him in the pecking order for central midfield, which means he wont play much.
Up forward there will be Rooney, Torres, Saha, Solskjaer and I guess Rossi to compete with for a striking berth.
In my opinion, I think having Carrick, Gattuso, Scholes and Smith would make for an excellent depth to the midfield. Four players I rate very highly, which means the central midfield will almost always be strong.
But im not sure if Smith will be happy sitting on the sidelines.
Your thoughts on the matter?
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Post by Busby Boy on Jul 17, 2006 20:55:01 GMT
He will stay at the club that's for sure, it is just a decision of in what capacity. Striker or Midfielder? My bet would be as a midfielder. Even if we sign two midfielders, we will still need cover. Whereas he was first choice last season until his injury he will be cover along with Sheasy, Richardson, Park (depending on if Giggs starts) & Fletcher.
Midfield:
Ronaldo - Scholes - Player X (Carrick) - Giggs
Fletcher - Smith - O'Shea - Park/Richardson
...and of course one more signing will drop in there somewhere.
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Post by Kamilo on Jul 17, 2006 21:22:46 GMT
yea alan will stay as he has great support from the rest of the team and he enjoys his time at united i feel.. he will as adam said slide inbetween forward and mid... this may be decided on who we sign.
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Post by Sky Sports 1 on Jul 17, 2006 21:40:24 GMT
Just as SAF said, he will be mainly put upfront, dropped down to midfield if the cover is needed.
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Post by Scott on Jul 17, 2006 21:55:38 GMT
Nailer, I wrote something on Smith a while ago, found here if you're interested  I think it's too hard to predict whats going to happen, considering we havent bought midfield replacement, and we dont, afterall, know for definate whats going to be happening with our strikers (Ruud leaving, Rossi on loan). Alan Smith COULD do the job for United, I'm sure of it... it just depends on whether he can prove that or not. I can see him sticking with us for the time being, and try to prove his worth...but someone with his passion and talent shouldnt be on the sidelines, and if he doesnt make it at United, I hope for his sake he moves on. |
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Post by unitedinhardcore on Jul 17, 2006 22:07:11 GMT
Nailer, I wrote something on Smith a while ago, found here if you're interested
I think it's too hard to predict whats going to happen, considering we havent bought midfield replacement, and we dont, afterall, know for definate whats going to be happening with our strikers (Ruud leaving, Rossi on loan). Alan Smith COULD do the job for United, I'm sure of it... it just depends on whether he can prove that or not. I can see him sticking with us for the time being, and try to prove his worth...but someone with his passion and talent shouldnt be on the sidelines, and if he doesnt make it at United, I hope for his sake he moves on.upfront or midfield will do for me. he knows how to be a striker and seemed to be learning how to be a top quality midfielder (anyone that thinks a player just moves position and is world class at it is an idiot) i just love his complete commitment to the cause. however, scott i love your attitude towards smithy's career. if he cant make it with us then he deserves to go and make it with someone else. there are very few players that you might want to leave your club for their own benefit and i find it hard to believe that we are thinking that way to a born and bred leeds boy! that said i still think he is gonna make it for us in midfield. he'll scare the shit out of most of players in the prem and can quite happliy get goals as well. |
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Post by Busby Boy on Jul 17, 2006 22:59:15 GMT
It's not just about him being able to slot back up front and start scoring, he's had to adjust to central midfield and if he is moved up front he will have to re-adjust.
I can play left back, left mid or centre mid (holding or attacking) and at one point my manager was constantly switching me around until I had a word and told him if he wanted to get the best out of my talents to leave me in one position (although I was happy to play anywhere), I now play central midfield as a box-to-box man. My fave position!... ;D
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Post by unitedinhardcore on Jul 17, 2006 23:11:25 GMT
i liked to be central mid as well. that meant that i could be equally useless in every part of the field
i dont think smithy will take much retraining to go up front but i dont like the ppl that slate him because he moved to centre mid and wasnt roy reane on the first day.
there are a number of games where he bossed the mid against apparent world class (lumplard etc) midfielders
his nature is what puts him in mid for me. he's my second on the team sheet just coz he'll do whatever he's told to help them team win.
wazza is obviously first just coz!
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Nailer
United Bench Warmer
Keep the Red Flag Flying Highplg%%Paul Scholes%%
Posts: 942
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Post by Nailer on Jul 17, 2006 23:26:41 GMT
Nailer, I wrote something on Smith a while ago, found here if you're interested I think it's too hard to predict whats going to happen, considering we havent bought midfield replacement, and we dont, afterall, know for definate whats going to be happening with our strikers (Ruud leaving, Rossi on loan). Alan Smith COULD do the job for United, I'm sure of it... it just depends on whether he can prove that or not. I can see him sticking with us for the time being, and try to prove his worth...but someone with his passion and talent shouldnt be on the sidelines, and if he doesnt make it at United, I hope for his sake he moves on. I read your blog, and I agreed with basically all of it. I'd love to see him succeeding in the United team next season, regardless of what position. Although I do think central midfield is his best. His display against Chelsea was awesome, it prompted me to write my first proper United/Soccer article for my local paper! Hopefully we'll have more of those displays in the coming season.  |
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Post by Red Yank on Jul 18, 2006 1:27:02 GMT
I like the idea of him being up front, it's what he's good at but as someone pointed out it will be a matter of whether he can play the position effectively...my guess is YEP.
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Post by Scott on Jul 18, 2006 1:28:33 GMT
I like the idea of him being up front, it's what he's good at but as someone pointed out it will be a matter of whether he can play the position effectively...my guess is YEP. Not for United he wasnt! |
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Post by Red Yank on Jul 18, 2006 1:30:35 GMT
I like the idea of him being up front, it's what he's good at but as someone pointed out it will be a matter of whether he can play the position effectively...my guess is YEP. Not for United he wasnt! I know, which is why he's got a lot to prove! Didn't want to mention that "L" team either... |
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Post by missunited on Jul 18, 2006 1:30:39 GMT
Now you'll have to excuse me if I repeat points already made as it is half two in the morning and I am feeling too lazy to read the whole thread, bad I know.
I think if we get a couple of more midfielders we shoiuld let Smith go up front again. He's a good striker, and he loves doing it. Some people have mentioned about bringing Defoe to Old Trafford, in my opinion we can get as many goals out of Smith as we would Defore, and Smith is a harder worker. He's been gettling a lot of hassle over his performances on the midfield, but to be fair he is not a midfielder, he is a striker. He's a good player that one, and he works harder than a lot of people.
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Post by Scott on Jul 18, 2006 1:40:08 GMT
Just because Smith is better than Defoe, I dont think that means we should play him up front. It just means we shouldnt sign Defoe  |
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Post by missunited on Jul 18, 2006 2:01:53 GMT
Just because Smith is better than Defoe, I dont think that means we should play him up front. It just means we shouldnt sign Defoe Well not signing Defoe is also a good idea. Why did I not think of that  Hey imainge Smith and Rooney together up front, the opositions defenders would be runnin the other way! |
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