Sam Allardyce, the Newcastle manager has talked about Alan Smith today to the Newcastle Journal, so let’s take a look at what Sam has been saying about our utility player, who had an excellent game on Wednesday leading the line.
Chris Mort and Sam Allardyce – Smith is Sam’s kind of player
Sam talked to the Newcastle Journal this morning:
“Alan’s keen to get games up front,†“His performances in attack have led me to put Mark on the bench and that’s a huge disappointment for him. ““But Alan’s performances have helped us to turn a difficult period around and I feel that his last two performances have been his best in a Newcastle shirt.â€
The only thing missing from Alan’s game is goals, and he has never been a prolific goalscorer, even at Leeds United, when he partnered Mark Viduka. But he lets the opposition players know they’ve been in a game. He did that well on Wednesday evening and the Arsenal defense was more than rattled a few times by the Newcastle attack.
“Alan has got the desire to upset opposition defenses and then use his abilities,†said Allardyce, who paid Manchester United £6m for Smith’s services this summer. “Our other strikers want to use their abilities first before using their physical capabilities. He tests a defender’s resolve first, and then he uses his abilities to start attacks from there.”
“He did it (this week) against Arsenal and it proved important. He upset them and that gave us the momentum we needed to build the constant pressure that led to the goal that we deserved. I’d like to see an end product, but he’s doing a job for the team and that’s what players have to do. He’ll do a job anywhere for the team. I’d like all the players to be like that.â€
After news in the tabloids this week that the players were in some kind of revolt against Big Sam it was just great to see our display on Wednesday evening, when they certainly looked to be very together. It has certainly lifted the spirits of our great fans. But we really need a win today to maintain that spirit. It will not be easy against Birmingham City, but we have to get used to producing the same intensity in every game, just like the top teams like Arsenal are able to do.
That’s our next major step this season. Performing in every game – but also picking up all 3 points whenever we can. Players like Alan Smith in the side can certainly help us do that.
Comments very welcome.
10 comments so far
malaysian youngster
Dec 8, 2007 at 11:16 AM
Comment #1Did i heard someone calling smudge to be captain?
Rob Kirton
Dec 8, 2007 at 11:38 AM
Comment #2A lot of people had been slagging off Smith, now that seems to have turned to Viduka. Probably a bit unfair on both accounts. Smith works like hell and always gives his lot. Viduka, irrespective being lets say “a litle more leisurely in his approach” always has and always will score more goals than Smith.
I felt both of them, Smith being told to play anywhere on the pitch and Viduka being expected to be ther big guy on the end of along ball, when his game is much more than that.
I’ve no problems with Smith regularly playing up front, however we need a real put them away type of forward up their with him
Hadrian
Dec 8, 2007 at 11:46 AM
Comment #3smith has definately shown his worth in the past two matches , i liked him against everton aswell , been plainfully obvious he’s a striker first a foremost .
but , if he’s not played up front he shouldnt get a start .
he proves this point exactly by his performances in diff positions , guess this kinda go’s onto allerdyce and his prefference for the player rather than a prefference for the best player in that position .
scott 9
Dec 8, 2007 at 11:46 AM
Comment #4i agree rob viduka is always going to score more goals then smith
Hadrian
Dec 8, 2007 at 11:48 AM
Comment #5Ed , why am i being automaticly subscribed to the posts im commenting on ?
got 101 emails these past two days 🙁
Hadrian
Dec 8, 2007 at 11:48 AM
Comment #6p.s , ive got the boxes unchecked 😮
scott 9
Dec 8, 2007 at 11:48 AM
Comment #7i love smith and he deserves to be in the first team but does anyone think theres something in his contrtact then says he must get somany games in a season because even when he continued to play badly for a couple of games and still got in the team .
nightfall
Dec 8, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Comment #8now what do you think of sam? players themselfs are talking to the press they are not useful in the positions sam chose for them…that they suck there…
malaysian geordie
Dec 8, 2007 at 1:55 PM
Comment #9as long smith is playing upfront i have no objections… the moment he goes to midfield its better to drop him
Sandy McNair
Dec 9, 2007 at 9:16 AM
Comment #10Fantastic efforts from all the players, and smith’s has put in the most effort of all of them.
Yes, Its clear he offers more upfront than in midfield.
I am sorry, but with all that effort he’s is just not a good enough striker (yes the type that “Strikes” the “Ball” into the “Net”. There are a few key words there in anybody can figure it out.
If our midfield was capable of pushing forward and picking up the loose balls that smith is creating then I would say he is doing well. But they are not! Has Smith created or assisted any goals that have not been from a set play? I can only think of 1 against arsenal.
Smith needs to be on the bench or Newcastle need to play to the strengths of what he is doing in the opposition penalty box. I think the Duke would pick up more scraps than Martins (sounds really scary (insane almost) to leave martins and Owen on the bench LOL.