From this week's Flying Kiwis. Colchester verus Edinburgh.
"When we last checked in with this fella he was preparing to play a preseason friendly on trial with Colchester against his old mates at Ipswich Town. He started that game, his second trial game for the League Two club, although it didn’t go so well as they got pumped 4-0. Smithy gave away a penalty in amongst it all. The way they did it was they played two 75 minute games with different teams in each, so Smith played the entirety of the first game and then the reserves did their thing in the next one. And while he coudlda obviously done without conceding a penalty it seems overall he’s makde a great impression on his potential new gaffer...
Colchester manager Steve Ball: “I've been very impressed with Tommy. He's got a great pedigree but he's also got some real qualities, which are so noticeable. He's been fantastic in training and now he's getting his fitness in games. It goes without saying that he's a proven Championship player and he's got a number of years left in him.”
The plan next for Colchester is some heavy fitness training for a few days, they might be done with that now, before another preseason friendly against Peterborough – two 90 minute games for that one, building up the legs. That’s next week although whether Smithy is still there by then who knows because the most popular article on the Edinburgh Evening News sports section on Monday morning began as thus...
EEN: “Hearts are in talks with the New Zealand international defender Tommy Smith as they seek cover following John Souttar’s latest injury setback. Tynecastle officials have compiled a list of signing options and made contact with 30-year-old Smith, who is a free agent after leaving Sunderland. He is considering a move to Scotland and would offer Hearts assurance at centre-back. He can also operate at left-back. Souttar suffered a relapse of his Achilles injury and is to undergo a scan to determine the extent of the problem. Hearts are hopeful it is not as serious as feared but are preparing to reinforce their defensive options.”
Hearts are in the Scottish Championship these days having been relegated last season. Colchester are also lower than they want to be, sitting in League Two, though both those clubs are targetting promotion and therefore expect to win a lot of games. Colchester would definitely offer him starting eleven status, Hearts it probably depends on how this Souttar fella is feeling. It’s surely not a coincidence that Hearts have Smith’s old Ipswich CB partner Christophe Berra on the books (although they loaned him out last season after trying to sell him).
Up Next: Decisions, decisions..."