Bentley Man of match performance

[BP Blue]

If your saw Smiths performance, the knockers would have enough ammunition already. That's from someone on the way back from the match!!!

Sorry but Smith made 2 or 3 decent saves in the first half which would have seen us dead and buried at half time. Granted I think there was a couple of corners, he could have easily come for and his distribution wasn't the best but he definitely played his part in the victory!!

 

[southend4ever]

Don't have a problem with smiths reaction. He is a professional and would be upset being subbed, but that's good rather than him not caring. However he should gave shaken bentleys hand but let's not get on his back over it. Still made some good saves tonight.

Agree. Heat of the moment thing. Smith is selected as first choice keeper he feels that he has a chance to save a few shots to be responsible for taking us through. He gets subbed off in a highly unusual situation - one that from memory I personally have not heard of before. I can understand why he would be peed off. I would expect him to apologise for his reaction but I fully understand it. It's a pretty new situation and he gets taken off after 90 minutes as first choice to save a few shots. Harsh but big balls to Sturrock and fair play too. Nothing wrong with it but we have the time to consider the actions whereas Smith has to deal with it and I also think that looks a little embarrassing in front of the fans at the game. Great win.

 

[londonblue]

I can totally understand Smiths reaction.
Sure , I get all the 'team game' comments and he should have shaken Bentleys hand , but as most have said , subbing an unjured goalie is a little out of the norm and he was understandably shocked and hacked off.
I'm sure he has apologised to Bentley and they will move on.

Other issues from it.
Sturrock should have told Smith ?
Get out of here , he's the Manager and can do what he wants.
Smiths concentration may have dropped if he knew he was coming off.

Smiths confidence going forward ?
This one bothers me more than anything.
Nobody knows how he will react , but he does not look the most confident guy I've seen , and many of our 'home' fans have made it quite clear to him at each home game , what they think of him.
Whatever way you look at this , and I applaud Luggy's decision ( which could have made him look stupid if Bentley hadn't saved any ) , it will not improve Smiths confidence.

I really hope he plays on Saturday and has a blinder.
Bentley is our future , but Smith has done really well this year and should remain our No 1.

One final thing.
When you look back at all the criticism on here about Smiths abilities ( and lack of ) , the one positive that comes up time and time again , is that he is a GOOD SHOT STOPPER.

Surely that is a fair requirement in a penalty shoot out ?................... just saying

Agree with everything except that bit. Firstly it's just good man-management to be ahead of the game, and be able to predict the reaction of the player in question, and secondly, PS himself says he should have let Smith know.

 

[Shrimper_Wez]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20957231

Just seen this on the BBC sport site, apologies if it has been covered elsewhere.

 

[londonblue]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20957231

Just seen this on the BBC sport site, apologies if it has been covered elsewhere.

The picture with that article gives the impression that it was a pretty poor penalty that any goalkeeper going the right way would have saved...either way Bentley saved it and we're through to face Borient.

 

[Earls Hall Blue]

I just watched the highlights on Blues Player & the commentator said it was a fine save by Smith on the pen they missed..:unsure:

Seriously though, their first 3 pens I doubt any keeper would have saved as they were very well placed, & as for the one that was, an easy save imo as long as you guess right & thats all shootouts are, guesswork.

 

[Norwichshrimper]

Interesting...it's all ifs and buts. Benyons penalty should have been saved - Bentley could have gone the wrong way for one he saved. If that had happened it would have been a far different mood on here today.

But then as i always said in these cases, if my Aunt had balls, she may well have been Mervyn Cawston

 

[dannypav]

Agree with everything except that bit. Firstly it's just good man-management to be ahead of the game, and be able to predict the reaction of the player in question, and secondly, PS himself says he should have let Smith know.

I think you're right in most cases , but just feel that as the game wore on Smith may have started to lose some concentration as he started to think about the 'will I , wont I' scenario.
As long as he didn't know , then it can't affect his game.
I'm sure Luggy has explained all now and they've had a man hug.

 

[dannypav]

Question for the Footy Law Experts.
If the ball had remained 'live' during those last couple of minutes ( doubtful I know ) , then would Luggy have been able to make the change at regulation full time , but before the pens ?
I guess the answer is no , but wondered if it was clear.

 

[The General]

The most cringey thing at the time was when 2 girls at the back of the stand both shouted out "Daniel" at the top of their voices at the same time like they were 10 and had just met Harry Styles! :blush:

Very awkward decision and no-one really knew what to think but the common concensus in the end was that it was "brave" by Sturrock and it could do more harm than good. Touch wood thats not the case!

 

[TJC]

It was a tactical substitution; unusual, granted, but nothing more than tatical. Why should goal keepers be immune to a tatical substition. Smiths reaction was unprofessional and suspect he now feels a bit of a mug.
For the record, I think Bentley should have had a deserved run in the team after his last penalty heroics and still feel he should get a run in the first team.
No good saying hes a promising youngster as he will always remain that if he doesn't get proper chances. He is ready for first team league 2 football and Smith should expect to fight for his place like all other players.
Sturrock saying he is sticking by his No.1 keeper is not a reason to leave Bentley out. You play who ever is on form. Bentley has a superior dead ball kick and better at commanding area. Smith is a good reaction shot stopper. There really isn't much in it, but Bentley edges for me.

 

[Bolton Shrimper]

It was a tactical substitution; unusual, granted, but nothing more than tatical. Why should goal keepers be immune to a tatical substition. Smiths reaction was unprofessional and suspect he now feels a bit of a mug.
For the record, I think Bentley should have had a deserved run in the team after his last penalty heroics and still feel he should get a run in the first team.
No good saying hes a promising youngster as he will always remain that if he doesn't get proper chances. He is ready for first team league 2 football and Smith should expect to fight for his place like all other players.
Sturrock saying he is sticking by his No.1 keeper is not a reason to leave Bentley out. You play who ever is on form. Bentley has a superior dead ball kick and better at commanding area. Smith is a good reaction shot stopper. There really isn't much in it, but Bentley edges for me.

Totally agree with this,but,I'm sat on the fence...................No,I really am sat on a fence !!!!

 

[Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset]

It was a tactical sub that we had predicted in the pub before the match. Luggy was clearly listening. How do I claim the reward fee?

UTB

 

[Neil 24]

the who better debate continues. ive only seen young dan a couple of times he did well but need to see more of him on a consistant basis to judge. seen smith lots and i beleive he is a solid decent keeper good stopper good handling and his kickin is ok he needs to be less hesitant and dominant on occasions but for me all in all he is good. bentley our future smith is our now. lets back him

 

[OldBlueLady]

the who better debate continues. ive only seen young dan a couple of times he did well but need to see more of him on a consistant basis to judge. seen smith lots and i beleive he is a solid decent keeper good stopper good handling and his kickin is ok he needs to be less hesitant and dominant on occasions but for me all in all he is good. bentley our future smith is our now. lets back him

I know you're his biggest fan, but I seriously think he's got to work to get the supporters back onside after last night.

 

[Blues 'n twos]

I know you're his biggest fan, but I seriously think he's got to work to get the supporters back onside after last night.

Easy.. nip in the spread and be one of the lads :winking:

 

[Neil 24]

i understand his reaction was wrong but i think most would of done the same. im sure in training today smith would of apolgised to the lads and alot of man love would of happened normal service resumed. just think we should support him and finish the season with a bang