Smith - enough is enough

[Neil 24]

Vale stopper and nelson from gills two good keepers then smith who else better?

 

[bazzashrimper]

He will always struggle against teams who consistently play high balls into the box. Its no coincidence that his better games have tended to be against teams who play decent football.

 

[Harry Bullocks]

We'd moan at Lionel Messi I'm sure....too short etc, etc

 

[eastling]

We'd moan at Lionel Messi I'm sure....too short etc, etc

Yeah he'd be crap anyway at L2 level, cr*p in the air, no heading ability (c T Venables 2009) ,not able to pass on what passes for pitches at this level, showboater, etc etc

 

[BrettieAngell]

I think a mad frenchman lost us the game.

 

[dingleydangley]

Will there be a thread on Smith every time he makes a mistake? Hang on, I'm just gonna look at the Manchester City forum............

 

[DTS]

Smith is a good keeper at this level. He has obvious flaws in his game but this is L2 - I am sure most keepers are the same. Very happy with him as a shot stopper and think he is right to be number one.

 

[Onion_Bag_Dave]

Sorry, does this view point still exist? I thought it died out ages ago!

 

[Jay_SUFC]

Unfortunately because Straker had a reasonable game, people need to pick on Smith

Now, I'll have to see the highlights, but the first goal, it looked to me the right decision to stay on theline (as he would never have got to it), however I don't see anyone slating Clohessy for leaving O'Donovan completely unmarked right in front of the goal!!!

 

[eastling]

Now, I'll have to see the highlights, but the first goal, it looked to me the right decision to stay on theline (as he would never have got to it), however I don't see anyone slating Clohessy for leaving O'Donovan completely unmarked right in front of the goal!!!

Not really Smith's fault this goal. If we are finger pointing then yes Sean was to blame but O Donovan got lucky with a shot from that angle and as an ex shrimper of course he was going to score!

 

[silentshrimper]

Didn't realise so many goalkeepers posted on here.

You can't have every quality in league 2... Our centre backs for example often hoof instead of pass, good keeper for this level and I despise fans who make threads like this one, cretins is the term I think.

 

[Norwichshrimper]

Northampton are where they are in the league by virtue of pumping balls into the box and trying to bully the opposition in their box. Much as I dislike Boothroyd and his style of play you have to admit it gets results, they are very good at it.

They've been doing it all season and if people on here are seriously suggesting Northampton have only been picking up points due to the weakness of opposition goalkeepers, then I respectfully suggest they don't understand football.

 

[OldBlueLady]

3 kicks in a row out into touch on the east side - that's really not good enough at this level. He's had a really good month or so, but form last couple of games has dropped and the last thing we want Wednesday is a keeper with his confidence shot....again. They need to do some work on this pdq.

 

[Norwichshrimper]

3 kicks in a row out into touch on the east side - that's really not good enough at this level. He's had a really good month or so, but form last couple of games has dropped and the last thing we want Wednesday is a keeper with his confidence shot....again. They need to do some work on this pdq.

Quite right - and none of the other players misplaced 3 passed did they?

 

[OldBlueLady]

Quite right - and none of the other players misplaced 3 passed did they?

Not consecutively, and kicking is such a major part of a keeper's game, blimey, I could have kicked better than he did yesterday!

 

[Onion_Bag_Dave]

People don't seem to understand.

Smith is told to kick to the wings, so if a defender heads off we are in their half! That's why the players clap every kick he takes even if there are none of our players challenging for the ball!

That is the instruction he is so clearly given, it's not his fault if our players aren't there to challenge!

 

[Feathers]

He will always struggle against teams who consistently play high balls into the box. Its no coincidence that his better games have tended to be against teams who play decent football.

Agree entirely. I has also not helped that in the last 2 games we have played with makeshift defences and players (Spillanne, Moshni, Corr) who have not played at the centre of defence in front of Smith before.

Smith was excellent in the first leg at Orient and the game on Wednesday should suit him

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Agree entirely. I has also not helped that in the last 2 games we have played with makeshift defences and players (Spillanne, Moshni, Corr) who have not played at the centre of defence in front of Smith before.

Smith was excellent in the first leg at Orient and the game on Wednesday should suit him

They all know he doesn't come off his line though, they should all be compensating for it. How much pressure must the defence be under normally knowing Smith comes for nothing? Imagine that for poor Corr or Spillane, they have no real chance have they.

 

[silentshrimper]

He tried coming off his line yesterday and flapped twice, luckily getting a free kick which took the pressure off us... Northampton's height was one of their strong points and no keeper would have liked to have to come off his line against the likes of Platt and co...

Against Orient he showed he can come off his line so hopefully he will do that again Wednesday.

By the way Bentley is even worse coming for balls from what I have seen.

You either do or don't come, if you don't you have a chance to make a save if your defenders don't clear, if you do and miss the ball then who is there to back you up? No one. Perfectly happy with Smiths approach.

 

[Neil 24]

Yes smith had a poor game but is there a need to attack him hes been our saviour of late just not great yesterday. Deal with it people and move forward