Alan Smith was officially released from the club yesterday, after Alan played 94 times for Newcastle, but failed to score a single goal.
Alan Smith – played 94 times for Newcastle
The fact that Alan was initially brought in by Sam Allardyce as a striker, makes that statistic just a little bit more surprising, but we always knew Alan Smith was a top-class professional.
Alan got on well with the manager Alan Pardew, and Pardew has come out today and praised the player:
“I can’t praise Alan highly enough as a person,” “It’s been difficult for him to get in the side, and he went out on loan.”
“His professionalism around the place has been brilliant. It was a joy to work with him.” “At some stage in the future, I might get the opportunity to work with him again.”
“He’s got a real future in coaching after he finishes playing.” “He wants to keep on playing, but I’ll keep an eye on him – he’s got great attributes.”
It’s been a little obvious over the last two seasons that Alan Smith didn’t have much of a future at Newcastle and in that time he appeared only 16 times for Newcastle, and he was a costly player for the club, with his £60K/week wages.
But Alan is currently in negotiations with MK Dons and we think there could be a decent chance that Alan could play on for a couple of seasons in the lower leagues.
But Smith has an excellent future in coaching, and could even become a top manager in the future, although with players that’s always a very difficult call to make.
We wouldn’t be surprised to see him back at Newcastle in two or three years time in a coaching capacity, and it’s obvious from what Pardew has said that the two of them get along famously, and could form a good partnership in the future on the training field.
Smith was offered a coaching opportunity at Newcastle with the youngsters, but he still thinks he can play for a few seasons, and the 31 year-old wants to keep playing.
It’s always good to welcome back past players to the club as coaches, and if he’s going to be a top coach and then a top manager, then there’s no better place to do that than at Newcastle United.
And we know Alan has an extremely high opinion of both the Tyneside club and it’s wonderful fan base, and he would fit straight back in.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
NUFC News 24/7
80 responses so far ↓
1 SupaToonKid // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:28 AM
Good luck to Smithy, if it wasn’t for those ridiculous wages i’d be sad to see him leave. Though like Pards said he is a fantastic professional and maybe we can give him a coaching role in the forseeable future because unfortunately i think his injuries will cause him to retire sooner rather later.
2 Graeme // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:31 AM
He stuck around purely for the money.
Not another club would go anywhere near his wages at Toon so he sat put and laughed all the way to the bank. He had several chances to “Carry on playing” in the last 2+ years but rejected them all to maintain his income.
There is one word for Mr Smith – Parasite!!
3 brighter // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:33 AM
GOOD RIDDANCE.
4 Jail for Ashley // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:36 AM
Supatoonkid,
Do you sometimes just post for the sake of it,do you mean by what you said that you’d be happy for Smith to stay if he was on say 10K a week.
5 cupiddstunt // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Graeme @ # 2
Sorry g but I think that one word is “sensible”
He obviously gave it everything whilst on the training pitches trying to get into the first team, otherwise AP would not be talking so highly of him.
It is also obvious that he was an asset to the club off the field again buy what AP says.
And of course YOU would take a massive pay cut if you were unable to do your job anymore (that is of course saying you have a job) if you were injured and could not do your job to your previous level.
6 Jail for Ashley // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Lap top won’t let me leave a post.
7 sirtoongospel // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:39 AM
People have a pop at footballers if they get paid the contract they were OFFERED by the club. Would any of us take a 70% pay cut? It wasn’t his fault he was offered that money.
Also, when we were relegated, and everyone said we were going to be a soft touch, Smudger met fire with fire, he was MOM in 5 out of the first 7 games, and got stuck in, and fired up our players brilliantly. We flew out the blocks in that Championship season, and Smudger was a massive part of it.
I wish him all the best, and if Pards thinks his coaching and motivational qualoities are great, then hopefully he will come back and have an impact here.
8 rich_toonfan // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:40 AM
He was a good pro and a very big reason we got promoted out of the championship.
And if you knew you could be on 60k a week, then leave and still have a few years after most people would, people do not take a pay cut in any walk of life if they dont have to.
He has to look after himself and his future.
He moves on with the bes wishes of most fans I would say. Good luck wherever he ends up.
9 cupiddstunt // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:40 AM
Sorry for typo “buy” being “by”
10 lordy_geordie // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:44 AM
I agree, Know one would lose 70% in wages over 2 years. Thats stupid, footballers careers don’t last long and first an foremost their families come first. Make as much money as yoh can coz it will have to last you over 40 years
11 cupiddstunt // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Graeme @ # 2
Just another thought,
I would say most people on here, (in fact most people full stop,) that have a job do it for the money and only move on voluntarily for more money not less money.
Why should he be any different????????
12 Indian Magpie // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:51 AM
First, oh No
13 Beardo // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:52 AM
Alan Smith couldn’t coach a kid on how to tie their shoe laces, nevermind coach top-flight football.
14 Indian Magpie // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:54 AM
Beardo, that’s very harsh. he would bcome an excellent coach. injuries affected his playing capacity
15 Graeme // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Cupid, I agree with what you say and yes, I wouldnt take less money if I didnt have to.
I dont blame him for doing what he did at all – but to say all he wants is “playing time”, when he could have left at any time in the last 3 years for “playing time” is sheer hypocracy. Thats why I call him a parasite, which is what he has been for over two years.
16 bills-son // Jun 2, 2012 at 10:58 AM
Fans saying good riddance and slagging of Smith haven’t got a clue. As others have pointed out is wasn’t his fault he got paid £60K a week BUT unlike a ton of others signed during that period he gave his all for NUFC. As a fan you can’t ask for more than that.
He had a horrific leg break and then had to adapt his game to a DM where the memory of that break must have come back with every tackle. And yet, he never fliched, especially during those first few games in the Championship as I and other sensible fans have pointed out. In my mind Smithy, Shola, Harper, Nolan and Enrique will always be legends for their attitude, determination and professionalism after we got relegated especially during those first few games when we showed teams who was boss skillwise and physically.
You only have to see how many top pro’s speak highly of Smithy as a person, from Sir Alex down, to know that the guy is a top man. What he lacked in skill and goals he made up for in building a winning mentality after relegation and he played no small part in where we are now.
Good luck Smithy.
17 ToonDownSouth // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:02 AM
I bloody loved Smith in our Championship season.
I remember him tripped a player up, through on goal, from behind in the last minute, recieving a red card, and saying “Well, you’ve just got to take one for the team, haven’t you?”.
18 niafron // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:05 AM
Bonjour messieurs.
How are the queen and her faithfull subjects this morning?
19 bills-son // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:05 AM
There we go eh – Beardo saying Smithy couldn’t coach a kid to tie his shoelaces.
What a stupid inanne comment from someone who doesn’t know Smithy and has never seen him in training or in the dressing room. Because you don’t like Smithy you say he can’t coach, that is infantile. So you know better than Pardew do you? Do you bollox.
Joes Mourinho – how many goals did he score? How many trophies did he win as a player? How many caps did he win? According to you Beardo he wouldn’t have been able to coach kids to ties shoelaces.
20 Beardo // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Bills-son takes the bait again. Must be so difficult to make friends, being such a highly-strung fairy like yourself.
21 Beardo // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:12 AM
“It’s time to take your blood-pressure today, Mr Bills-son.”
“You what!? Take my blood pressure? You can eff off and shove your sphygmomanometer up your sphincter, you hear me!!!” *shakes fist in nurses direction*.
22 niafron // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Do you have an idea of what would be England starting eleven against France?
23 Toonboy_84 // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:14 AM
We always seem to have at least 1 resident mackem here at any given time……. Keep up the good work beardo. Dick!
24 Toonboy_84 // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:15 AM
@ naifron
Not a very good one….lol
25 graham cwarr // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:16 AM
We’re giving nothing away naifron you spy. Bs ignore beardo. I’ve taken the bait myself before. It doesn’t end well. End up looking a knob for reacting to a knob
26 ToonDownSouth // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:16 AM
niafron
Absolutely no idea yet. Gerrard & Parker will start CM, Johnson RB, Cole LB. But every other spot is undecided currently.
What about France? Your defence looked fairly clueless against Iceland the other night.
27 graham cwarr // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:19 AM
@toonboy when we ignored them inthe past they left. Or maybe it was more too with us winning game after game as they flailed about treading water mid table.
28 niafron // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:20 AM
Franch game against Serbia was full of teachings.
Ribéry made a good game (still i doesn’t like him) and Malouda too in a central midfield position.
Koscielny was excellent too, so many people want to have him now as a starter CB. Still unlikely however.
Clichy made a good game, but maybe not enough to replace Evra.
M’villa was quickly injured, nothing serious, but he could miss the game against England.
It seem also clear now Blanc will not make play Giroud and Ben zema together.
I think he will field this team:
———————Lloris(C)————–
Debuchy–Rami——-Mexés—Evra
———————Diarra—————-
———-Cabaye———Malouda—-
—Nasri————————–Ribéry-
——————-Ben zema————-
29 Indian Magpie // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Niafron,
No Menez or HBA.
Still Evra, r u happy with him.
30 graham cwarr // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:22 AM
@tds but the attack made up for it in the end. And they didn’t concede in the second half. Maybe they’ll have their act together for the euros.
I’ve a feeling they’ll make the semis
31 cupiddstunt // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:23 AM
Graeme @ # 13
Sorry G but had you called Owen a parasite then you would have had no argument from me, had you called Viduka one then you would have had my whole hearted agreement, as the only time he played well in his latter years was when coming up to contract time.
But Smithy gave it everything he had on and off the park.
When on the park he played to the limits of his ability and with gusto resulting in regular cards but setting an example to the rest of the team.
When not being selected he never dropped his head was not late for training and in a strop because he was not being picked, but again gave it everything he had to try and get back into the team and keep himself in contention.
I honestly do not see that as being a parasite, being a parasite is a one way action and if you spend a little time reading what people in football have to say about Smithy he is far, far from being a parasite.
Xisco is in my eyes more of a parasite than Smith Xisco appears to have given noting in return for his salary but in Smiths case yes he was an unfortunate expense but far from a parasite.
32 niafron // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:23 AM
We still have however a last game against Estonia Tuesday night .
So maybe, things could change.
33 Indian Magpie // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:26 AM
if Smith was not good enough Pardew would never offered him the role.
34 niafron // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:27 AM
It seem Blanc wasn’t pleased by the way HBA and Menez defended against Iceland, so he’s eager to make a more conventional team and to keep them as Impact players.
A mistake if you ask me, but i’m not the coach. Concerning Evra, he’s the object of a strong argument in France.
Many people do not want him to play considering his performances and his behaviors as well.
Personally, i don’t know.
35 Indian Magpie // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Niafron,
i dont know abt french public, but Malouda is not as good as either 1 of those 2 and very droppable
36 niafron // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:34 AM
The problem of this team is the lack of experience and leadership.
If i was england, would play counter strike with fast players. There’s many weakness in central defense and on the left (you’re right flank).
Iceland tactic was perfect. THey gived up finally, but they were really too weak to hold the result.
Furthermore, in a competition game, once trailed, our lads will panick.
Honnestly, it’s up to you, i see us holding the ball, but if you make a courageous and realistic game, victory will be yours.
37 cupiddstunt // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:38 AM
bills-son @ # 17
You are right on the ball there bud and beardo tries to slink away from his stupidity by a rather pathetic and weak claim to it being a wind up.
Then tries overly hard to qualify his comment by some apparent humour which is a poor mask for his earlier moronic comment.
Although reading some of his past comments I do get the feeling he is a little bit on the thick side, you know the type that always has to counter everything you say with a contentious comment, a stupidity that only he sees as a witticism when almost everybody else sees it as a stupidity.
Sad case of attention seeking form beardo I’m afraid.
38 geordie157 // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Just seen the list of released prem players
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/7790818/Released-players-revealed
Bit suprised Ben Alnwick has never really made it, remember hearing a lot of hype of him about 5 yrs ago.
The only player that might benefit us on the list is Diame. Rodallega maybe as a last resort, he’d be alright on the left of the front 3 but at times he looks lazy.
Carlos Cueller will surely be snapped up fast.
39 jesperfuglsang // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:39 AM
That is what you call £ 60k a week professionalism
I can be professional for that amount
lol
40 jesperfuglsang // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:47 AM
Niafron
From what I have seen of France, the midfield was the problem; they were simply playing too offensive and too high up. Especially Nasri has been with weak link.
It made it very difficult for both Menez and especially HBA, who ended up against Iceland in the first half playing way to defensive and too far out right.
They changed that in the second half, and I actually think that is why they won.
But you might be right about what you say about Blanc and like you I don’t agree with him
41 niafron // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:51 AM
@Jesper
How are the expectations in Denmark? People think your team could get through this hell of a group, or do they think this is hopeless?
42 Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem) // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Not sure if this is the real guy but by the looks of things @MathieuDebuchy looks like he’s on his way to Newcastle.
43 jesperfuglsang // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:56 AM
@Niafron
Most sensible people don’t think we have much chance at this tournament – we have too many players who haven’t been regulars at the club of late and some has really underperformed.
We are playing 4-3-3 so Bendtner, Erikson and who ever are going to play on left and right attack really have to be on fire
We are hoping for a little bit of luck to go our way and get through the group stage; anything can really happen after that
I always have a second team then it’s the Euro or World Cup, this time around I think it’s going to be France
But Blanc better not disappoint me
lol…I am counting to see a lot of HBA and less of Malouda 
44 niafron // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Last french news about Debuchy:
Newcastle offered 6 millions euros when the LOSC want 8 to 10.
It’s said NUFC don’t want to move quickly on the file. Which seem strange considering great clubs are after Debuchy, and, if he make a good Euro, his price will raise up.
So, i still believe this is a smoke of screen like Maiga, Gervinho and Gameiro last year.
45 jesperfuglsang // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:58 AM
Erikson = Eriksen
Brits confuses me ( they can’t even spell his name)
and now either can I
lol
46 rich_toonfan // Jun 2, 2012 at 11:58 AM
I expect France to win all 3 ames in the group and England to win 2.
Do france not play M’villa as a starter?
47 Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem) // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:01 PM
@Niafron,
I may be wrong but I thought Newcastle offered £6 million
48 geordiejamie89 // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Just flicked across to some kids football program on bb2, and it was prem league buy of the season. Cisse won it, and it went through his goals. Hairs stood on end he has been pure class.
49 Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem) // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:02 PM
@Rich,
Yep. But M’Vila is nursing a little injury at the moment but according to Blanc he’s set to start against England.
50 jesperfuglsang // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:03 PM
rich_toonfan
M’Vila has been a starter under Blanc; if he’s fit I would think he’ll start.
Just pray to god, that Nasri is gonna be benched. He has really been awful.
51 niafron // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:03 PM
@Jesper
Well, if you can find your way out of it, you’ll have an easy quarter final.
For France, how we will play will depend of the first game. A victory or a Draw, and we will keep going with conservative choices.
So i don’t see us reaching the semi finals.
If England defeat us however, could be the start of a revolution.
Sure, i don’t want us to lose this game.
52 niafron // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:06 PM
@Ben arfa
French press said 6 millions euros. DOn’t know.
53 graham cwarr // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Is anybody on here playing the sun euro 2012 dream team game?
54 obatoyou // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Hi rich_toonfan
M’Vila started against Germany in Feb.
Didn’t play against Iceland for some reason.
Started against Serbia, but got injured after 5 mins
55 graham cwarr // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:10 PM
So its agreed that its 6 million somethings?
56 Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem) // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:11 PM
Yep Cwarr but because the euro is so massively screwed up, it’d make a massive difference!
57 Beardo // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Oh, there goes Cupidstunt, the paragon of intellect that he is, and a Dr of Psychology by the looks of things
Please, how lame are you?
A personal vendetta I feel, for me making you look silly before.
I just like to show people up for what they are and Bills-son is a headstrong nugget, as he has displayed on numerous occasions.
58 Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem) // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Please say his name is meant to be a spoonerism?
59 FatmanJoe // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Good luck smith!
Would be mightily peeved if in was Peter L though, where’s his little dedication from Pards? considering the players and fans loved him and all the young strikers Inc ranger have all said in the past what a role model he is to have around.
Reckon hoots might give him a shot at Birmingham.
60 niafron // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:15 PM
We were really worried when M’villa was injuered and even more when he was replaced by Diarra and not Matuidi…
Diarra is physically the tallest and strongest player we got.
As england is reputed to be a physical team, he could well play against you especially if M’Villa isn’t fully fit.
61 Beardo // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Keep reaffirming to yourself that you are indeed clever, you might believe it one day and not have to try all so hard to prove it, with some pseudo-psychological analysis!
DURR!
62 Jail for Ashley // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Beardo the weirdo @ 19.
That was one of the funniest things I have read on this blog.
63 nufc786 // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:18 PM
paul lambert confirmed as villa boss…………….. wtf
64 Beardo // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:21 PM
Cupid
Was you the star in the 3rd installation of this movie trilogy, by any chance?
http://funnymama.com/post/86394
65 Transfer Sage // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:24 PM
I can reveal that Newcastle will sign Mathieu Debuchy before the start of the Euros.
Newcastle only wish to spend £6million as reported above but Lille want more than that as they want to gamble he will have a good tournament and be sold for £10million.
Newcastle will bid 8million by Monday evening and the signing will be complete by Thursday.
I have spoken.
66 graham cwarr // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:24 PM
Beardo is that your sole purpose here? To agitate people to see if you’re right in your assumption about the kind of person they are.
Although i agree that bills-son can be stubborn and headstrong.
67 obatoyou // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:26 PM
How do we get down on the euro dream team bro
68 FatmanJoe // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:29 PM
8m really seems alot for a defender. Would we really spend that money?
69 Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem) // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:31 PM
@Joe,
Vertonghen is in the region of £14m, we need cover for Simpson so we might be forced to pay more than we originally wanted.
70 FatmanJoe // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Clyne would be a cheaper option though and that money could be put towards a really decent striker.
71 cupiddstunt // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:37 PM
Beardo @ # 54
Bill-son is no more a nugget than you, and at least he posts his posts with no hidden agenda whereas you appear to think you are clever and a cut above the rest so you post your often contentious posts thinking you are being smart.
To be honest your posts are often seen by the bulk (I say bulk going off reading the replies and retorts of others) of the blog readers as being what they are, rather stupid comments from a somewhat attention seeking saddo.
And please do refresh for me the incident where you apparently made me look silly, you are apparently struck by the same mental illness that sadly afflict a lot of people in as much as you claim victories that only you can see, and as such make yourself out to be a legend in your own mind oblivious to the fact that no one else see’s either your victories or knows of your legend.
72 Beardo // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Graham Cwarr – nope, I’m here to partake in some lighthearted japery during the off-season, not rake over old opinions and well established ground incessantly. If people react like Bills-son did, I will bite back, albeit attempted in a more jocular manner.
73 graham cwarr // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:39 PM
@oba Google sun dream team. Was thinkin we could have a nufc blog league for a bit of friendly competition
74 Beardo // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:41 PM
There goes ol’ nephew of Sigmund again, Cupidstunt Freud, rambling on and on and on….. and on…….. .. and….. on………. and…………….
Zzzzzzzz.
75 graham cwarr // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Ok beardo i just wanted to know your motives. Do you ever go by a different name on this blog?
76 cupiddstunt // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:43 PM
Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem) @ # 58
Is that question directed at me?
If so I can only assume that you are too young to remember Kenny Everett. A very funny man with a penchant for creating some very good alter egos.
I suppose today’s equivalent would be Sacha Baron Cohen
77 graham cwarr // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:44 PM
So if we just take all of beardos comments with a pinch, nay, a bucket of salt we won’t get upset.
78 graham cwarr // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:47 PM
Cupidstunt Everett was class. Im 24 so i really missed out on him. The comparison to sacha baron Cohen is bang on
79 graham cwarr // Jun 2, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Loved dick emery too
80 Brutooon // Jun 2, 2012 at 4:40 PM
what would Alan Smith teach if he is a coach?
1) teach a striker? come on he cant even score one goal for us!
2) teach as a defensive midfield? he SUCKS as a defensive midfield. t
3) a Cheerleader? YES ALAN SMITH IS A CHEERLEADER
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