No Smith but CU grab a 2-1 win
Tommy Smith (Auckland FC | A-League)
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He is their club captain, but is a bit of a strange one. From Flying Kiwis.
Tommy Smith has only played five minutes off the bench since the last All Whites games. No word on him being injured. That could be the case or they (Colchester) might just be trying out other options with nothing much left to play for.
Grimsby Town and Max Crocombe are a bit higher up the ladder however they never got the post-FA Cup run boost they were hoping for. More like their season has lost focus instead. Crocombe’s played every League Two minute this term and is coming off contract... as are Smith and Tzanev. All three have some decisions to make.
Colchester (18th) host Barrow (9th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/02/04/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/barrow-afc/3810536/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/02/04/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/barrow-afc/3810536/
A 1-1 draw. No Smith
Colchester (16th) host Walsall (15th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/02/14/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/walsall-fc/3810560/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/02/14/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/walsall-fc/3810560/
A 0-0 draw. No Smith
Colchester (16th) travel to Carlisle United (3rd)
https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2023/02/18/england/league-two/carlisle-united-fc/colchester-united-fc/3810572/
https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2023/02/18/england/league-two/carlisle-united-fc/colchester-united-fc/3810572/
Smith straight back into the starting lineup, but Colchester go down 1-0.
Colchester (19th) host Northampton Town (5th). Northampton with the Kiwi L2 trifecta, having played Grimsby, Dons & now CU in consecutive matches!
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/02/25/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/northampton-town-fc/3810583/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/02/25/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/northampton-town-fc/3810583/
Smith off at 86 mins (0-1) but CU can’t get the goal they seek to prevent a 0-1 loss
CU (19th) with a trip to Bradford City (6th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/03/04/england/league-two/bradford-city-afc/colchester-united-fc/3810595/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/03/04/england/league-two/bradford-city-afc/colchester-united-fc/3810595/
CU lose 2-0. Smith not in match day squad
CU have a reserve keeper called Tom Smith
CU have a reserve keeper called Tom Smith
Not in match day squad as CU (20th) lose 0-1 to Stockport County (5th)
CU (20th) travel to Leyton Orient (1st).
Smith hasn't played since 26th Feb. Misses the Orient game & must be in doubt for the AWs. N Boxall I guess the logical replacement. Smith's actually only played 10 games all season for Colchester.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/03/18/england/league-two/leyton-orient-fc/colchester-united-fc/3810622/
Smith hasn't played since 26th Feb. Misses the Orient game & must be in doubt for the AWs. N Boxall I guess the logical replacement. Smith's actually only played 10 games all season for Colchester.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/03/18/england/league-two/leyton-orient-fc/colchester-united-fc/3810622/
2-2 draw. No Smith
If he's still injured then you have to question why he was called up and whether flying someone 40 hours return for a couple friendlies is a necessary move. If he was just about there with his comeback you'd think he'd be at least on the bench. Throwing him straight in against China for his first match in a month seems a bit tough.
If he's not injured then you have to question why he isn't involved in a team a spot or two above relegation to the fifth tier, and if a guy who'll be turning 36 come the next World Cup is really needed in a new cycle - at least this far out.
Though to be fair Nikko Boxall isn't flush with minutes either. The 90 he played for Auckland City against Al Ahly is his only non-stoppage-time-sub appearance since July 10th. He has only been subbed on in second half stoppage time three times and been unused/not on the bench in 19 of his teams' (SD Loyal, AC, WP) last 23 competitive matches. He'll also be 34 come 2026.
Possibly an injured Smith is the best there is.
If he's not injured then you have to question why he isn't involved in a team a spot or two above relegation to the fifth tier, and if a guy who'll be turning 36 come the next World Cup is really needed in a new cycle - at least this far out.
Though to be fair Nikko Boxall isn't flush with minutes either. The 90 he played for Auckland City against Al Ahly is his only non-stoppage-time-sub appearance since July 10th. He has only been subbed on in second half stoppage time three times and been unused/not on the bench in 19 of his teams' (SD Loyal, AC, WP) last 23 competitive matches. He'll also be 34 come 2026.
Possibly an injured Smith is the best there is.
From Flying Kiwis. Likely a bit short of match fitness for the AWs
CUFC manager Ben Garner: “We’ll see how that reacts in the morning and whether or not Saturday comes too soon [for Tommy Smith]. I’m obviously aware that he’s due to go away with New Zealand on Saturday as well, so we’ll make a call on that tomorrow and see how he is after what he did on Thursday.
He had a knock prior to me coming in and then, when Ross was in interim charge, he joined in for a day and tried to get back and still wasn’t right. He’s now had the recovery from what he had and did a full session today and looked fine, so fingers crossed that he’ll be back, if not for Saturday then at least for international duty and then he’ll be in good shape for us when he comes back.”
CUFC manager Ben Garner: “We’ll see how that reacts in the morning and whether or not Saturday comes too soon [for Tommy Smith]. I’m obviously aware that he’s due to go away with New Zealand on Saturday as well, so we’ll make a call on that tomorrow and see how he is after what he did on Thursday.
He had a knock prior to me coming in and then, when Ross was in interim charge, he joined in for a day and tried to get back and still wasn’t right. He’s now had the recovery from what he had and did a full session today and looked fine, so fingers crossed that he’ll be back, if not for Saturday then at least for international duty and then he’ll be in good shape for us when he comes back.”
That’s good news ahead of the All Whites fixtures. Smithy’s in line to earn his 50th international cap if he makes an appearance against China but that was in plenty of doubt given he hasn’t played a game since late February due to injury.
He didn’t play again this past weekend as Colchester drew 2-2 with top-of-the-table Leyton Orient (scoring twice after the 89th minute), breaking a streak of four straight goalless defeats, but based on what his new manager said there prior to the game he’s good to go and there’s no thought of him missing his flight to Auckland. Has done a full training session with no dramas. Injury recovered. Just wasn’t quite ready for that Orient game.
He didn’t play again this past weekend as Colchester drew 2-2 with top-of-the-table Leyton Orient (scoring twice after the 89th minute), breaking a streak of four straight goalless defeats, but based on what his new manager said there prior to the game he’s good to go and there’s no thought of him missing his flight to Auckland. Has done a full training session with no dramas. Injury recovered. Just wasn’t quite ready for that Orient game.
Colchester (21st) host Tranmere Rovers (14th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/03/25/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/tranmere-rovers-fc/3810631/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/03/25/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/tranmere-rovers-fc/3810631/
1-1 draw. No Smith
Colchester (21st) host Newport County (18th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/01/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/newport-county-afc/3810645/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/01/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/newport-county-afc/3810645/
Smith on in the 86th min in a 0-0 draw.
Colchester (21st & only 3 pts above the drop zone) travel to Stevenage Borough (3rd)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/07/england/league-two/stevenage-borough-fc/colchester-united-fc/3810663/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/07/england/league-two/stevenage-borough-fc/colchester-united-fc/3810663/
No Smith in match day squad.
A 1-1 draw. Hartlepool's 4-1 at Crocombe's Grimsby, sees Colchester now only 1 point above the drop zone.
They will want Smith back ASAP to help grind out some 1-0 type wins.
They will want Smith back ASAP to help grind out some 1-0 type wins.
Colchester (21st) host Crewe Alexandra (16th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/10/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/crewe-alexandra-fc/3810669/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/10/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/crewe-alexandra-fc/3810669/
CU ease those relegation fears with a 4-0 win. 4 pts clear of the drop zone.
No Smith
No Smith
Colchester (20th) travel to Salford City (7th, chasing a playoff spot)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/15/england/league-two/salford-city-fc/colchester-united-fc/3810686/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/15/england/league-two/salford-city-fc/colchester-united-fc/3810686/
Nice 1-0 upset win for CU. No Smith. CU now 6 pts clear of the drop zone.
Colchester (20th) travel to Crawley Town (22nd)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/18/england/league-two/crawley-town-football-club/colchester-united-fc/3810691/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/18/england/league-two/crawley-town-football-club/colchester-united-fc/3810691/
No Smith for a 0-0 draw.
i assume he cannot make the squad?
which is interesting given his performance for us against china. it wasn't a terribleperformance, but more than a little sluggish
which is interesting given his performance for us against china. it wasn't a terribleperformance, but more than a little sluggish
He is their club captain, but is a bit of a strange one. From Flying Kiwis.
Tommy Smith has only played five minutes off the bench since the last All Whites games. No word on him being injured. That could be the case or they (Colchester) might just be trying out other options with nothing much left to play for.
Grimsby Town and Max Crocombe are a bit higher up the ladder however they never got the post-FA Cup run boost they were hoping for. More like their season has lost focus instead. Crocombe’s played every League Two minute this term and is coming off contract... as are Smith and Tzanev. All three have some decisions to make.
Colchester (20th) host Sutton United (10th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/22/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/sutton-united-fc/3810705/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/22/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/sutton-united-fc/3810705/
No Smith
Edit - CU with a 4-1 win.
Edit - CU with a 4-1 win.
CU (19th) travel to Doncaster Rovers (16th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/29/england/league-two/doncaster-rovers-fc/colchester-united-fc/3810718/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/29/england/league-two/doncaster-rovers-fc/colchester-united-fc/3810718/
Colchester lose 1-0. No Smith.
Colchester (20th) finish the season hosting Mansfield Town (8th - still in with a playoff chance).
33 yr old Smith has only played 11 games (10 starts) all season. Apprently he's off contract. Be interesting to see what happens.
37 yr old CB & former Ipswich team mate, Luke Chambers has managed 42 games.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/05/08/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/mansfield-town-fc/3810728/
33 yr old Smith has only played 11 games (10 starts) all season. Apprently he's off contract. Be interesting to see what happens.
37 yr old CB & former Ipswich team mate, Luke Chambers has managed 42 games.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/05/08/england/league-two/colchester-united-fc/mansfield-town-fc/3810728/
No Smith, but another ex Ipswich team mate in 33 yr old Freddie Sears makes a return after a few weeks out. Sears 30 games (14 starts) for the season with only 2 goals. Down on last season's 14 goals. Wonder if there might be a little clean out at CU at season's end. Especially the aged ex Ipswich lot?
Edit - a 2-0 win for Mansfield Town. Colchester finish 20th, one spot above Wimbledon.
Edit - a 2-0 win for Mansfield Town. Colchester finish 20th, one spot above Wimbledon.
So much for the "Nix have signed Tommy Smith" rumor I heard awhile back.