Smith - enough is enough

[teabee1]

Now I am always willing to give people the benefit of the doubt, but enough is enough. 9 guys gave their all today, but
Paul Smith has cost us again today, like he did on tuesday.
How can a big keeper be so timid? He should be commanding the 6 yard box, if not the penalty area. Yes, he is a good shot stopper, but we have conceded so many 'soft' goals since he has been here, it is beyond a joke. Surely it must be worth giving Bentley a go. At least he looked like he wasn't scared to come off his line and inspired a little confidence, which is sadly lacking with Smith. Not to mention his distribution.
Post written in the heat of the moment after an absolutely gutting defeat...

 

[dannypav]

Now I am always willing to give people the benefit of the doubt, but enough is enough. 9 guys gave their all today, but
Paul Smith has cost us again today, like he did on tuesday.
How can a big keeper be so timid? He should be commanding the 6 yard box, if not the penalty area. Yes, he is a good shot stopper, but we have conceded so many 'soft' goals since he has been here, it is beyond a joke. Surely it must be worth giving Bentley a go. At least he looked like he wasn't scared to come off his line and inspired a little confidence, which is sadly lacking with Smith. Not to mention his distribution.
Post written in the heat of the moment after an absolutely gutting defeat...

We would be bottom half by now if it wasn't for Smith.
Give it a rest.........................................

 

[amsemp]

The fans don't help Smith by constantly getting on his case. They're only human at the end of the day and it's bound to dent confidence. Smith was class against Orient and was class for a few games before that. His problem is his consistency. But yes, Bentley to start next game for me, even if it's just to show Smith that he needs to up his game if he wants to play and that he is not an automatic starter.

 

[Neil 24]

O deary me here we go again. The guy was poor today get over it been great of late just not today.

 

[Strykr]

We would be bottom half by now if it wasn't for Smith.
Give it a rest.........................................

A bit of a generalisation, we could just as easily be higher with a different keeper.

No witch hunt from me, but I dont think he's very good.

 

[Silencer]

He had a good month after that Brentford replay, last two games he had slipped back to his old habits. Hopefully just a blip and he is back on it Wednesday

 

[Ricey]

**** sake leave the poor guy alone. Everyone is just looking for someone to blame. We lost!! Everyone was singing his praises recently. We seriously have the most fickle fans in the world. Please lock this thread because its getting like a ****ing broken record.

 

[South Bank Hank]

O deary me here we go again. The guy was poor today get over it been great of late just not today.

This one sums it up for me. Poor game and it cost us. Other games, he's been the positive difference.

 

[Depor_Shrimper]

Two points re smith:

1) Kicking must improve, he should also consider taking a touch now and again!
2) He must talk more, the Corr hoof out of play that led to the subsequent throw-in and goals should have been prevented by Smith controlling the situation. There were multiple similar incidents in the game.

 

[Neil 24]

Here here southbank hank

 

[teabee1]

As I said, I give people the benefit of the doubt. Smith has been here long enough now, for a considered opinion. I understand the 'give it a rest' merchants. I have never entered into a debate on the pros and cons of any of our players before. I support ALL our players, I really do, but it is painful to watch panic an indecision in our defence, which could be averted by a commanding GK. If it is Paul Smith then please start taking command!

 

[Feathers]

Smith was man of the match in thefirst leg. Injuries and suspension are forcing more and more changes. Really cannot believe calls to drop smith for bentley.

 

[Stuart W]

People are missing the point saying he had a good game the other week, no one can deny he is a great shot stopper. Witness his game at Brentford, I don't think I have seen a southend keeper make so many saves in 46 years of watching the blues. BUT he does not command his area, he is highly immobile and inspires no confidence in his back four. Sadly this bit ain't gonna change because I suspect his age is a factor in his lack of flexibility. People of my vintage can probably remember Malcolm Webster who had a similar problem. We either accept it, or start giving Bentley games with a view to being our number one keeper next season.
Personally I would play Bentley because I think he has great potential, and I don't want him to get disillusioned and move on to become a top keeper somewhere else.

 

[southendkid]

If it wasn't for Smith all hope of a JPT final would have already gone, people always seem to be quick to overlook his good games, just like every other player on the pitch he will have his bad games, even Jack Butland had his bad games in league 2.

 

[amsemp]

People are missing the point saying he had a good game the other week, no one can deny he is a great shot stopper. Witness his game at Brentford, I don't think I have seen a southend keeper make so many saves in 46 years of watching the blues. BUT he does not command his area, he is highly immobile and inspires no confidence in his back four. Sadly this bit ain't gonna change because I suspect his age is a factor in his lack of flexibility. People of my vintage can probably remember Malcolm Webster who had a similar problem. We either accept it, or start giving Bentley games with a view to being our number one keeper next season.
Personally I would play Bentley because I think he has great potential, and I don't want him to get disillusioned and move on to become a top keeper somewhere else.

Exactly. Well said

 

[SWF BLUE]

**** sake leave the poor guy alone. Everyone is just looking for someone to blame. We lost!! Everyone was singing his praises recently. We seriously have the most fickle fans in the world. Please lock this thread because its getting like a ****ing broken record.

Spot on:thumbsup:

 

[teabee1]

Doesn't the fact that there has been so much debate on this subject, tell you that there must be something wrong?

 

[Tinks]

Deary me SUFC fans can be so finickle at times. I have not been on here for nearly 3 weeks (as been away) and logging on tonight the first 5 threads to come up were all doom and gloom!

 

[dannypav]

If it wasn't for Smith all hope of a JPT final would have already gone, people always seem to be quick to overlook his good games, just like every other player on the pitch he will have his bad games, even Jack Butland had his bad games in league 2.

Yes , the main one being at Roots Hall last season.

 

[Stuart W]

Spot on:thumbsup:

Sorry mate, but it is constructive criticism based on reasoned observation. Nobody is picking on him, I have heard too many people from all parts of the ground making the same comments. They can't all be wrong.