In a desperate attempt to move on from debating one poster's allegiances, did anyone notice the sublime technique Smith displayed on a couple of occasions yesterday when he controlled high balls instantly? There's no-one else in the front line who comes anywhere close to Smith in this aspect of the game. As Lapado and Vassell plus Hirst found out all too often, an inability to control the ball with your first touch means that, at this level, you lose possession.
He always does that, his first touch is excellent. There also can't be another player in the EFL who gets fouled as much as Smith without ever getting a free kick from the Ref.
I thought Smith did fine when he came on Glenn, as he did at Birmingham. During his brief appearance he ran in behind well and it stuck with him when it was played into him. He might still be our best option up there.
Football isn't a sport where judges decide the outcome. Smith looks no threat in the goalscoring department. I've knocked him but Ladapo though getting no service did all he could. I'm hoping it all of a sudden clicks for Hirst. Him & Ladapo up front. Sadlier on the right, Miller on the left. Lindsay or S Mcdonald with Barlaser in midfield.
A couple of short weeks ago gwru you said it had to be Smith as a lone striker. You were certain based on seven minutes of viewing that Hirst would be the answer. Now you are hoping he might be. You have always slated Ladapo, but now he is first choice. You also said it had to be one up front, but now it is Hirst and Ladapo. I can't keep up!
I have noticed that on the other site you have urged Warne to get back in for Ross Stewart of Ross County. That assumes of course that we were ever in for him in the first place. It is very easy to hypothetically spend someone else's money based on YouTube viewings as if it is all a computer game, but is Stewart really better than we already have? Good enough to justify the outlay? Or are you just guessing again?
I think Smith does get fouled a lot. It is as if being a big target man means that you are fair game for being pushed and pulled, which can't be right. In terms of giving free kicks away, Smith does sometimes commit fouls when he just isn't going to win the ball and he might be better off just accepting that sometimes. It is better to try and win a second ball in the other team's half than give a cheap free kick away. But it is easy to be critical. We ask a lot of him and he always battles gamely. As Glenn says he is capable of occasional fine touches.
In the final analysis unless we unearth a hidden gem (and if we did he wouldn't be here long) we have to go with what we have and what we can afford, work really hard and do the best we can. Hopefully that will be good enough. There are no magic answers.
-- Edited by smiler on Tuesday 6th of October 2020 11:56:36 AM
smiler agree with most of what you say. Performances change my mind. Ladapo I thought did well Saturday. Two weak links Saturday were Crooks & Vassell. If we are going with what we've got up front got to hope Hirst comes good.
in defence of Hirst he went off injured in the 2nd half we were no threat after that maybe some you on this site don't like him because he played for the massives. I like Smith but he did nothing why our great leader did not bring Miller on baffles me it was not the smartest of moves bringing Vassell on. He should have taken Crooks off put our best player Wiles in the middle he was brilliant in that position last week.
I've not seen anybody say they dont like Hirst. The point is that he was never likely to be the miracle answer some were building him up to be. It is always tempting to think someone else can come in and be that man. Gwru wants to move on to Stewart now. It just isnt that simple.
I would agree that Michael Smith is the best of the bunch but he obviously has his limitations. If I view our strikers from an opposition defenders point of view I am actually quite happy because I can see them. All of the attackers want to face up defenders and make it a battle but when you are playing at this standard they are going To be good at their job. What we lack is a quick forward who can get in among the defenders or even better behind them. I am talking about the Robbins and Lefondres of this world. These players are available although probably not of that quality But it would make defenders have to work.
I think that is a really fair post. Of all our strikers Smith is probably the most willing to run in behind but he isnt quick. In the mix of strikers we have, we dont really have one who will stretch defences and play off their shoulder. If it is a case of one out one in, I would sacrifice one of our four (probably Vassell) for someone who would give us that option. I havent got a name for you though. Players like that of any quality are hard to find and usually dont come cheap.
-- Edited by smiler on Tuesday 6th of October 2020 01:54:42 PM
Wiles took his goal well but what else did he do? Their left back or wing back had freedom of their left side. Were was Harding? didn't see him involved much 2nd half. Is Olosunde fit? Thought Barker said he was our most improved player last season.
Wiles took his goal well but what else did he do? Their left back or wing back had freedom of their left side. Were was Harding? didn't see him involved much 2nd half. Is Olosunde fit? Thought Barker said he was our most improved player last season.
This is a thread about Smith, stick to that rather than going off on one of your mad rants about other things.
