It should be an honour to pull on the white jersey even more so to captain the side. If he cant commit tell him to GGF.....Wood should be the captain because he plays at a good level , is somewhat experienced at international level , plays with passion and above all he can be bothered coming to the other side of the world to play even when his team are fighting for promotion (like last season)
Tommy Smith (Auckland FC | A-League)
My vote is with Wood too, experienced and clearly loves playing for the AWs
I don't think Wood is the one I would have. Not a natural leader is the observation I would make. I would look at McGlinchey
Smith has definitely been more outspoken the Reid. Whilst I could see his angle to begin with he is now starting to get on my tits. I think it's time to let him go. Imagine, Big Sam, "Winnie I see that this Collegaue of yours who plays in this small town in the championship has refused to play. What say you"
I agree, but I think this is symptomatic of a deeper issue with NZ Football. This type of attitude creates a vicious feedback loop in two ways. Firstly because of what you say: it sets a dangerous precedent for other players to start doing it. Secondly, because each key player who sits out or picks up a convenient "injury" just in time for AWs games weakens the team, which makes it more likely we'll lose, which makes it more likely we'll slip down the rankings, which means less incentive for players to make themselves available. Basically it makes a joke out of our national side and that damages the credibility of the game here all the way down. Why would young kids playing football on a saturday morning dream of playing for the AWs if the country's best players are refusing to so they can play for their clubs?I always felt conflicted about Ryan Nelsen doing this - on the one hand I understand why he did it, and when he did play for the AWs he always gave it everything, but on the other I remember commenting when he was missing from a squad or something that it sets a bad example for the youngsters in the squad. And lo and behold, look what we have now - Tommy Smith refusing to play for the national side.
Go back and look at who was missing from our squad for the Horror in Honiara. IIRC both Nelsen and Reid were "injured". Why was Ricki playing Killen in DM there? Because he wanted to play 3 at the back and 2 of his 3 starting CBs didn't show up - so Vicelich had to slot in there, which meant a gap at DM. Dumb tactics, but a non-issue if our players had actually turned up.
And it doesn't just go for competitive matches either. Even friendlies are a chance to build credibility but more tangibly they are a chance for the team to gel, try tactics and combinations, and get used to playing with each other. If these players want to play at World Cups then the should put the effort in that requires. Which means flying around the globe to play against the island nations in 40 degree heat in the Solomon Islands, or flying to Japan to play a friendly, or whatever. It annoys me when players think the can just pick and choose when they play. And because we lack depth we can't really call their bluff.
I know pro football in Europe is the pinnacle career wise for Kiwi footballers and I understand they want to maximise their chances at maintaining that career. Fair enough. But I just wish our best players really wanted to pull on the white shirt whenever they could, and that they wanted to do the country proud, regardless of how inconvenient that is for them.
I know, it's not that simple. And Smith might be quoted out of context in that article or whatever. Just a pet peeve so I got on a bit of a rant.
It is called a professional footballer and being loyal to your employer.
I can recall when Tommy Smith was selected for the NZ U17s and lo and behold he turned around and made himself unavailable so that he could be selected for the English U17s - A leopard never changes his spots and Tommy has always done what's best for Tommy! (nothing wrong with that, IMO)
Why would you think Young Players would see playing for the AWs as an honour. NZ Football have made a total mockery out of playing for the AWs, by the precedence they have continued to set over the last 8 years:
1. Selecting players who do not have clubs - indicates to young players, you don't have to be playing football at all, to be selected for the National side.
2. Selecting Amateur Players ahead of Professional Players and topping it off by playing Amateur Players ahead of Professional Players eg: Andy Barron playing ahead of McGlinchey at the World Cup.
3. Continuing with a National Coach who has completely lost the plot and then failing to appoint a National Coach once he finally resigns. This is a clear example of an Organisation which is totally dysfunctional.
Professional players are used to a very high level of professionalism and it must be very difficult for them to play for such an amateur set-up. NZ football is reaping just rewards for the poor seeds it has sown.
Agree , NZF have made it very easy , for young players to make being an AW an optional accessory....
Agree , NZF have made it very easy , for young players to make being an AW an optional accessory....
Read this and learn Andy M.
Those are bold statements. Can you quantify it?
I,m 100% behind Tommy Smith on this one.
IMO its up to NZF to get their shiite together. They have to prove that they can operate in an acceptable professional way. Because it appears to me that they have lost the faith of several leading players. And could you blame players for losing faith in their national body?. How often in the last few seasons have we seen monumental cockups form the national body regarding the international scene?. Disorganised, ill prepared, amateur, poor communications......you name it, we have all seen it. From Honiara to the Mexico playoffs its been a constant theme. Poorly organised , half arsed... its been a joke. So why should senior pro's like Smith not get a little upset. He lives and works in a hard nosed professional sports environment......why should'nt he expect to have something similar at international level?
A month before the Japan game the NZF office in Auckland was empty....no coach, no CEO, no chairman.....who would want to get themself s involved with that shambles!!!!!
This kinda spells it out JV. As you've endorsed. Andy's got to change things for the (much) better.
No that makes it clear. Cheers.
I don't think Wood is the one I would have. Not a natural leader is the observation I would make. I would look at McGlinchey
But you want someone that is going to be a starter for the next four years.
I don't think Wood is the one I would have. Not a natural leader is the observation I would make. I would look at McGlinchey
It should be an honour to pull on the white jersey even more so to captain the side. If he cant commit tell him to GGF.....Wood should be the captain because he plays at a good level , is somewhat experienced at international level , plays with passion and above all he can be bothered coming to the other side of the world to play even when his team are fighting for promotion (like last season)
I agree Wood one is of the top candidates. McGlinchey also.
I tend to cut Mr Smith some slack though - the fixture list for Championship teams is always pretty congested this time of year and has been worse this season due to the very bad weather and floods. Championship season is a 46 game season plus Cup games. Two games a week most weeks this month (around the Japan game) and next month. At one point in April Ipswich play Saturday and back up on Monday. Ten games in six weeks from this weekend until season ends Sat. May 3.
He'll need a break in June.
Sometimes we don't know a player's state of fitness either.
Smith has a partner and likes to spend time with her too.
It's interesting that Chris Wood is one of Tommy Smith's best mates. Both went off on a holiday together to Amsterdam last off-season and took in the Europa League Final. Wood is obviously more committed to the All Whites and will turn up for friendlies even at busy times. Although, unlike Tommy he's not a starter for his club and doesn't play many minutes (has played more reserve team minutes the last few months). Similarly Rory Fallon (who has an even worse congested fixture list at Crawley due to postponed games) hasn't been playing many minutes for Crawley and so it was easier to make himself available to the All Whites v Japan.
No mention (perhaps wisely) of the availability controversy or any All Whites matters on Smith's Twitter. Just some positive support for the All Whites v Japan a few weeks ago:
-
Tommy Smith @tommysmith1990 Mar 5
Well done @officialcwood on your brace! Good recovery as well. Could have turned embarrassing at 4-0 after 18 mins! #AllWhites
-
Tommy Smith @tommysmith1990 Mar 4
Wishing Embers and his All Whites the best of luck in their match v Japan! Great opportunity for players to shine against a v good team
Im just worried about the compete silence from him, no verifying his comments or anything
Perhaps seeing Wood sitting on the bench deters Smith from popping over for pointless AW's games.
Selling his signed match worn shirt for Charity over here if anyone is interested.
Nah don't think ill bother
Scored this morning in 2-0 win over Brighton
Jeez he scores a lot
It should be an honour to pull on the white jersey even more so to captain the side. If he cant commit tell him to GGF.....Wood should be the captain because he plays at a good level , is somewhat experienced at international level , plays with passion and above all he can be bothered coming to the other side of the world to play even when his team are fighting for promotion (like last season)
I agree Wood one is of the top candidates. McGlinchey also.
I tend to cut Mr Smith some slack though - the fixture list for Championship teams is always pretty congested this time of year and has been worse this season due to the very bad weather and floods. Championship season is a 46 game season plus Cup games. Two games a week most weeks this month (around the Japan game) and next month. At one point in April Ipswich play Saturday and back up on Monday. Ten games in six weeks from this weekend until season ends Sat. May 3.
He'll need a break in June.
Sometimes we don't know a player's state of fitness either.
Smith has a partner and likes to spend time with her too.
It's interesting that Chris Wood is one of Tommy Smith's best mates. Both went off on a holiday together to Amsterdam last off-season and took in the Europa League Final. Wood is obviously more committed to the All Whites and will turn up for friendlies even at busy times. Although, unlike Tommy he's not a starter for his club and doesn't play many minutes (has played more reserve team minutes the last few months). Similarly Rory Fallon (who has an even worse congested fixture list at Crawley due to postponed games) hasn't been playing many minutes for Crawley and so it was easier to make himself available to the All Whites v Japan.
No mention (perhaps wisely) of the availability controversy or any All Whites matters on Smith's Twitter. Just some positive support for the All Whites v Japan a few weeks ago:
-
Tommy Smith @tommysmith1990 Mar 5
Well done @officialcwood on your brace! Good recovery as well. Could have turned embarrassing at 4-0 after 18 mins! #AllWhites
-
-
Tommy Smith @tommysmith1990 Mar 4
Wishing Embers and his All Whites the best of luck in their match v Japan! Great opportunity for players to shine against a v good team
If he thought this was a good game where was he? Had he turned up I'm not so sure we would have conceeded 4. No bagging just raising some relevant questions.
Personally I don't think he's the right person to be the AW Captain. This has nothing to do with his recent statement, I just don't think he has the right attributes. Was a better player for us when under Nelsen's influence.
It should be an honour to pull on the white jersey even more so to captain the side. If he cant commit tell him to GGF.....Wood should be the captain because he plays at a good level , is somewhat experienced at international level , plays with passion and above all he can be bothered coming to the other side of the world to play even when his team are fighting for promotion (like last season)
I agree Wood one is of the top candidates. McGlinchey also.
I tend to cut Mr Smith some slack though - the fixture list for Championship teams is always pretty congested this time of year and has been worse this season due to the very bad weather and floods. Championship season is a 46 game season plus Cup games. Two games a week most weeks this month (around the Japan game) and next month. At one point in April Ipswich play Saturday and back up on Monday. Ten games in six weeks from this weekend until season ends Sat. May 3.
He'll need a break in June.
Sometimes we don't know a player's state of fitness either.
Smith has a partner and likes to spend time with her too.
It's interesting that Chris Wood is one of Tommy Smith's best mates. Both went off on a holiday together to Amsterdam last off-season and took in the Europa League Final. Wood is obviously more committed to the All Whites and will turn up for friendlies even at busy times. Although, unlike Tommy he's not a starter for his club and doesn't play many minutes (has played more reserve team minutes the last few months). Similarly Rory Fallon (who has an even worse congested fixture list at Crawley due to postponed games) hasn't been playing many minutes for Crawley and so it was easier to make himself available to the All Whites v Japan.
No mention (perhaps wisely) of the availability controversy or any All Whites matters on Smith's Twitter. Just some positive support for the All Whites v Japan a few weeks ago:
-
Tommy Smith @tommysmith1990 Mar 5
Well done @officialcwood on your brace! Good recovery as well. Could have turned embarrassing at 4-0 after 18 mins! #AllWhites
-
-
Tommy Smith @tommysmith1990 Mar 4
Wishing Embers and his All Whites the best of luck in their match v Japan! Great opportunity for players to shine against a v good team
If he thought this was a good game where was he? Had he turned up I'm not so sure we would have conceeded 4. No bagging just raising some relevant questions.
Personally I don't think he's the right person to be the AW Captain. This has nothing to do with his recent statement, I just don't think he has the right attributes. Was a better player for us when under Nelsen's influence.
Him and about 26 others.
5 goals 2 assists this season only missed the one game. Might be a chance in the of season of a move to the EPL regardless of how Ipswich Town do in the play offs. Anyone know if he had January Transfer Window interest?
He has been remarkably loyal to Ipswich and I would be very surprised to see him go anywhere else regardless of promotion or not.
Ipswich won again on the edge of the play offs. What odds on 3 kiwis playing in the premiership next year?
Would be awesome if it could happen. You would think getting friendly matches against decent opposition would become a bit easier.
2-2 draw with Bournemouth yesterday morning leaves Ipswich in ninth position two points outside the sixth place play-off position:
http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/ipswich-town-v-bournemouth-april-2014-1500685.aspx
Two games remaining: away to Burnley Saturday (midday kick-off); home to Sheffield Wednesday Sat. May 3 (midday kick-off)
Will be tough with lots of injury concerns:
http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/race-to-be-fit-v-burnley-1504660.aspx
League table:
http://www.itfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/league-table/
| 6 |
Reading |
44 | 18 | 13 | 13 | 65 | 53 | +12 | 67 | WLDLW | |
| 7 |
Brighton & Hove |
44 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 51 | 39 | +12 | 66 | DDWWD | |
| 8 |
Nottingham Forest |
44 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 65 | 58 | +7 | 65 | WWLDL | |
| 9 |
Ipswich Town |
44 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 58 | 52 | +6 | 65 | DLWWL | |
| 10 | Blackburn Rovers | 44 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 63 | 58 | +5 | 64 | WDDWW | |
| 11 |
AFC Bournemouth |
44 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 63 | 64 | -1 | 63 |
Tommy Smith: 43 league apps this season; 5 goals; 145 career apps for Ipswich since his debut in 2008-2009 (previous three seasons: 38, 26, 22 apps; before that only single figures as a teenager)
He's still open to meeting All Whites supporters which must be a good sign - this Kiwi living in the UK seeks out any NZ players over there to get their autographs and photos and often posts them on the All Whites Facebook:
All Whites captain scored the 1st goal for Ipswich in their 2 nil win in Bighton, top fella, signed all my memorabilia for me. — with Tommy Smith.
Kurt Gibbs is a bit of a legendary NZ supporter - this guy even managed to get inside the Manchester United gym last July with his family and had this photo taken with the first team:
Fast becoming one of the most reliable defenders in the league is rater 2nd statistically on who scored: http://www.whoscored.com/Players/36469
Interesting that Ipswiches back 4 this season have a combined 15 goals and 18 assists over half the number scored by the entire team(58) If he keeps his form up would say he could be snapped up by an EPL team somewhere down the track.
Annnnd ipswich back to 10th
Fast becoming one of the most reliable defenders in the league is rater 2nd statistically on who scored: http://www.whoscored.com/Players/36469
Interesting that Ipswiches back 4 this season have a combined 15 goals and 18 assists over half the number scored by the entire team(58) If he keeps his form up would say he could be snapped up by an EPL team somewhere down the track.
How many Premiership teams look to strengthen by buying players from the Championship?
Everton do
Plenty of players move up to the EPL from the Championship each year. Aussie Rhys Williams was just about to be picked up by Swansea before he got injured. Then you have Timmy Cahill and Lucas Neil who spent 5 years a peice in the Championship. Its a good stepping stone. Ipswiches left back Cresswell has been killing it this year 2 goals and 14 assists he is almost certain to be picked up and move on the EPL maybe they can have a look at Tommy while they are at it.
Plenty of players, and you can't name one from the last 10 years? I see.
Clyne from the saints is one I found in about two seconds by looking at their first defender on wiki.
Hmm, not sure they're all that comparable but you can have it.
Don't quite understand that but anyway thanks for that
Wilfried Zaha
Connor Wickham
But no noones picking up tommy
Plenty of players, and you can't name one from the last 10 years? I see.
This article confirms what you are saying - very few Championship players are in fact getting signed by EPL clubs.
This article notes a record low of only five Championship players signed as of August 17 2013 in the transfer window prior to this season:
And then I'm guessing probably a handful in the next transfer window in January.
In fact, more EPL players go the other way - sold or on loan to Championship clubs. I thought on watching the Ipswich v Bury game last night replayed on Sommet Sports that Ipswich's best player was pacy, tricky winger Jonny Williams, on loan from EPL club Crystal Palace.
I personally think Tommy has found his level and although he's a good Championship player, he won't get much interest from EPL clubs.
