Alan Smith’s comments today and his absolute first rate attitude and dedication to Newcastle should ensure his captaincy for the start of the season.
Alan Smith – has what it takes
Alan Smith impressed me yesterday with his comments about the team and their attitudes for the season. His words yesterday reminded of a border collie corralling a wayward flock of sheep.
I know that I will get blasted for this article as Alan has not played all that well since his move from Manchester United and his injury plagued season last year. I know that Alan, who is a striker, has yet to score for Newcastle.
But just read what he said,
“Some people have made it public that they want to go, while others have got their head down.
“That is entirely up to the individual.
“We won’t have a go at anybody if they want to go.
“But they must cross that white line and give 100% when they wear a Newcastle shirt.
“We won’t have any qualms if they walk away if they get a better offer elsewhere.
“Every player in the dressing room last night, whether they want to stay or go, gave 100% and we cannot have any complaints.
“I don’t really know what happened at Orient.
“Everybody was left scratching their heads, but we have put it to the back of our minds.
“We should have won by four or five against Leeds.
“Sometimes in the face of adversity people stand up to be counted.
“I am sure that will help us in the long run, and I am sure that result can help us.”
Alan is addressing the want away wishes of three players in particular-Sebastien Bassong, Habib Beye, and Obafemi Martins. He is laying down the law and letting them know that while they are Newcastle players anything less that full commitment will not be tolerated.
This is what Newcastle need right now. A player who has accepted that he is in a bad situation but is willing to fight to better it. Newcastle does not need players who don’t want to play for the club. To think that this man came from Manchester United and is now in the Championship, yet has not expressed any desire to leave.
I realize that he is handsomely paid and that he would not get those wages anywhere else. I don’t care. Alan Smith is what Newcastle need as a leader.
69 comments so far
Tom Mo.
Jul 31, 2009 at 2:24 AM
Comment #1always had a good attitude. hope the level of play finally matches it.
i wouldnt f*** with barton and smith
joe
Jul 31, 2009 at 2:44 AM
Comment #2It doesn’t take much for a footballer to pull the wool over some peoples eyes.
He shouldn’t be let anywhere near the side. He was finished as a player the moment he was crocked at Man U. We paid good money to buy a crock, a crock who can’t tackle without taking a player, a crock who can’t pass the ball forwards, a crock who is persistently injured in one way or another.
Of course he’s going to say the right things. How else is he going to justify his excessive wages.
ObaFan2
Jul 31, 2009 at 2:45 AM
Comment #3When was the last goal he scored? lol, pre season 2 years ago wasn’t it? Let’s hope he plays a bit better then if he’s staying but captain…. do me a favour… he’d be lucky to be on the pitch if I picked the team.
As for the 3 wanting to leave, they are 3 of 7 I’d want to stay, the other 4 being Taylor, Duff, Barton and Harps…. next on the list would be Jonas and Enrique. Smith would be near the top of the list of players to sell.
joe
Jul 31, 2009 at 2:55 AM
Comment #4ObaFan2, why do you want to keep Duff and Barton. Duff is spent and contributes nowt. Employing Barton is morally wrong. I could swallow it if he was a football genius but he is useless.
baro
Jul 31, 2009 at 3:03 AM
Comment #5Is this the American owner that is going to buy newcastle. I think that the Iranian guy who said he is going to buy newcastle is fake news created by ashley and liambis. They did this to speed up the transfer from the american guy who is going to buy newcastle and we all have heard that an wealthy american is interested in buying Newcastle.He is very wealthy. And i think this is true because he already tryed to buy everton and some american teams. I live in America and this guy is very popular and is 4th richest in the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Ellison
Tom Mo.
Jul 31, 2009 at 3:39 AM
Comment #6how do you know?!?
Foluwashola Ameobi
Jul 31, 2009 at 4:20 AM
Comment #7Beye did look like he was off. Waving to the fans when he got subbed out. Smith should be cover captain. I did not know Butt had been made captain until I read the progamme at the match. Good choice if he ups his game this year.
Raffo
Jul 31, 2009 at 4:26 AM
Comment #8I would be happy for Smudge to stay and have said this for a long time. I think he should be playing up front not in midfield and i also agree that his attitude would be worthy of him being skipper. I dont think Butt should be captain, and I am defo against Harper being captain, but the skipper should be someone who also is likely to play all the games, and I think it is more likely S Taylor or dare I say Barton will play more games and it should be either of them.
Raffo
Jul 31, 2009 at 4:28 AM
Comment #9Baro, we can dream mate but I doubt it. In fact until its confirmed and I see Cashely walking down the Bigg Market with his back pack on for the last time I wont get my hopes up again, and I am joining alot of ppl on here with the same thoughts.
Unless you do have some information and not just a wishful hunch
korn8
Jul 31, 2009 at 4:29 AM
Comment #10Smith is a lad with a lot of courage. His achievments the last couple of seasons have been poor, but maybe he can prove his worth in championship? he certainly have the physical condition to make it. Smith and Butt are good candidates as captains . Also Steven Taylor and Harps are qualified for that task.
Baro: if Ellison are the new owner………..
Naah, don`t think so, we`re not that lucky 😉
But maybe we know more in next week? (i`m sick of that f..king phrase ) …
baro
Jul 31, 2009 at 4:39 AM
Comment #11Well mates, every billionare in the world has to at least be in the internet. There is no way in hell that he sirous mahjoob won’t be on the internet if he is a rich wealthy guy. And you know how there is an American consortium in for newcastle and he never expressed him or her self. So i was thinking it was going to be Larry Ellison because he is trying to buy a team. He already tried to buy everton and a couple of other american teams
IT IS BASICALLY COMMON SENSE
korn8
Jul 31, 2009 at 4:42 AM
Comment #12I really hope you are right, baro…
I`m gonna buy a american flag if thats the case! 🙂 and if he actually invest big money in this club and makes it great again, i will celebrate the 4.july every year! 😉
baro
Jul 31, 2009 at 4:45 AM
Comment #13————————KRUL—————————-
TAYLOR—–TAYLOR——KADAR—ENRIQUE
JONAS——GUTHRIE—–SMITH——DUFF
———–CARROLL——-RANGER————–
Bench
Vuckic
Inman
Ferguson
Barton
Adjei
Lua Lua
Haris Vuckic is the best young guy on newcastle
Shane Ferguson plays for Ireland first team at age 17.Bradden Inman is devoloping.INman is the new kaka. Lua Lua has martins speed.Adjei has good finishing and is very pacy
baro
Jul 31, 2009 at 4:48 AM
Comment #14Can anybody find an Haris Vuckic video??
Besides the one on youtube which is his interview
ginkoh
Jul 31, 2009 at 5:09 AM
Comment #15Waiting for official news and we will know who’s just create the rumor and try to joke anyone, press or Liambias.
NOVA2967
Jul 31, 2009 at 7:03 AM
Comment #16larry ellison, i remember the rumors awhile back. he would no doubt beable to make us big time but i doubt he will buy us and why would it take him so long if money wasnt an issue im sure he would of coughed it up earlier to get some players in but with that said i will dream it as he looks like a fun guy to have as an owner
Matt
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:02 AM
Comment #17Taylor should be captain.
To have a striker who doesn’t score/midfielder who isn’t a midfielder pretty much guaranteed a place in our starting line up would be one of the biggest mistakes known to man.
Nick 69
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Comment #18Alan Smith shouldnt even be in the squad never mind captain ffs, just because he tries and has a good attitude, but the fact reamains, his performances over the last 2 seasons have been absolute garbage!!
NUFC-0809-Oh Dear
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Comment #19I believe Alan Smith is a decent player and he always gives 100% on the field, he is not one of these players who drifts in and out of the game and he is always commited to the cause.
I have no problems at all with Alan being in our first team, I think he is a brilliant lad and I think the CCC will give him the chance to flourish and maybe find the old Smudger in there!
Though I must agree with Matt that Steven Taylor would be my first choice captain, he opitomises the geordie passion and I feel the best captains are always in the back line!
NUFC-0809-Oh Dear
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Comment #20There was breaking news last night (about 11/11:30pm) on SSN that they believed Habib Beye had handed in a written transfer reqest, any more news on this one?
NUFC-0809-Oh Dear
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:19 AM
Comment #21Nick 69,
The player who should be nowhere near our squad is Joey Barton, his challenge on Delph just proved it, that lad is a liability and we will find it tough enough in the CCC without having to play matches with 10 men because of his stupidity!
Hopefully whoever comes in will see sense and get rid of him ASAP!
Darling27
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:23 AM
Comment #22I’m liking the line up baro but the only thing is will Jonas and Enrique stay???
Chizzy_Toon
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Comment #23NUFC-0809-Oh Dear – I caught this on SSN this morning, have been trawling the web this morning but cant find a story relating to this.
NUFC-0809-Oh Dear
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Comment #24Steven Taylor has now come out on SSN and said that players who aint commited should quit.
Again, good sensible words, along the lines of Smudgers comments yesterday.
I think these two lads will form the spine of our team in the coming season and they are showing a real passion and commitent to the club.
Good work lads an I agree with you both.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_5463498,00.html
bill
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:25 AM
Comment #25I like Alan Smith as a person, because he always has time for the fans. He always gives 100% effort and gets stuck in. Unfortunately for him he has struggled with his form since that horrific injury he suffered about four years ago.
He may do well in the Championship; time will tell.
NUFC-0809-Oh Dear
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:25 AM
Comment #26Chizzy Toon…
They mention it in the Steven Taylor article but thats it…
Rasz
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:31 AM
Comment #27A captain is guaranteed a spot in the first 11 right? so IMO we need a person who IS worth a spot on every team sheet,week in-week out. Our last 2 captain appintments have been huge errors.Geremi and Owen,were guaranteed places on the team even when their performances were clearly poor.
sirjasontoon
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:37 AM
Comment #28Don’t know what happened to Smith…was a pretty good player back in the day.
Come on Alan seize the moment and score some fkin GOALS for Gods Sake !!
Nick 69
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:38 AM
Comment #29NUFC-0809-Oh Dear
joey barton isnt the subject though so what that has to do with it i don’t know, we are discussing smith here, and the fact remains, he is garbage and has been for 2 seasons. Joey Barton has nothing to do with what i said and wether he should or shouldn’t be in the squad, doesnt change the fact that smith shouldnt be in the squad either!!
NUFC-0809-Oh Dear
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:41 AM
Comment #30CizzyToon…
SSN are nw running a report saying Phil Brown (Hull) has put in a bid for Beye and he is waiting to hear back from someone at our end!
NUFC-0809-Oh Dear
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:41 AM
Comment #31Hull Beye Bid…
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5463534,00.html
NUFC-0809-Oh Dear
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Comment #32Good article on this site which basically captures the frustrations of the fans and also those of Smith and Taylor….
http://www.tottfanzine.co.uk/2009/07/31/view-from-overpaid-with-no-loyalty/
magforlife
Jul 31, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Comment #33Alan Smith skipper? aye, of the shields ferry. I cant recall one telling pass, goal threat or anything he has contributed in the time he has been here. Of course he is going to be committed, which other daft club would pay him 60,000 for a nil return.
NUFC-0809-Oh Dear
Jul 31, 2009 at 9:04 AM
Comment #34I think that we should try playing Smudger back in his natural forward role which he used to occupy at Leeds before Manure got their grubby mitts on him!
I really think that in the CCC is the best place to give him that chance.
My starting XI for Dundee (and possibly West Brom) would be (obviously excluding the cry babies, we aint got room for them)…
——————– Harper
R.Taylor – S.Taylor – Collo – Tozer
Lua Lua —- Nolan – Guthrie —- Duffer
————— Smith – Carroll
Bench: Krul, Ranger, Kadar, Vuckic, Baheng, Inman
Chizzy_Toon
Jul 31, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Comment #35Thanks NUFC-0809-Oh Dear – Be interesting to see who does actually leave, and if we bring any players in.
Rasz
Jul 31, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Comment #36who btw do u guyz think is a guaranteed starter next season,I only see Tayls and Harper to be honest.And I dont think either would make a good captain.
punk skunk...
Jul 31, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Comment #37?..
NUFC-0809-Oh Dear
Jul 31, 2009 at 9:25 AM
Comment #38I never see the point of having your Goalkeeper as captain, you need someone who is actually out in open play.
NUFC-0809-Oh Dear
Jul 31, 2009 at 9:29 AM
Comment #39I personally think that if not S.Taylor for captain then we should opt for Kevin Nolan
punk skunk...
Jul 31, 2009 at 9:32 AM
Comment #40Aye,
no point in a goalie bein’ captain!..
…Someone that gets up & down the pitch is the way forward…