Thetownend.com

Done well recently and a very good shot stopper.

Interesting to see though lately everyone jumping on pook,roberts back yet i have not seen anyone mention the fact that he was at fault for the goal saturday.

Any ball played in the six yard box he should be claiming thats the only downside to his game he does not command his area

It is a weakness in his game but IMHO the defence should have dealt with it but sombody lost their man.  Would have been hard for Smith judge that he needed to get to the ball without the benefit of hindsight.

Brez would have caught that cross in one hand.

I can't apportion any blame to Smith for the goal. Nicho lost his man, unfortunately that man then scored.

First up, it was a damn good corner - look at the dip on it and the curl - that makes it difficult for a keeper to judge in the same way as a hanging cross or a driven one, especially in a crowded box - same goes for Nico - it was hard to defend - and far easier to attack.

But, as difficult as it was, I've not seen a Town keeper in a long time dominate the box like Brez does. We HAVE to get him to sign and get him back playing. He inspires confidence on the pitch (and make corners against far easier for those in the stands).

I've not seen stats, but I'd bet we were ok early on defending set pieces when he was in goal - but then we did have that ridiculous tactic of not putting anyone on the posts.

Personaly i cant wait to get brez back, coz when i see some of the goals Smithy has let in you know brez would have saved em, im not getting on his back coz he has done wonders for us in goal since brez has been out, much better than anyone through but i just think brez has more confidence coming out for crosses and getting down on the floor quicker. and is about 10ft taller.
Props to smith for the work he's done so far.

That was NOT Smith's fault for the goal .. it was a well taken corner straight on to the UNCHALLENGED Monkhouse's head .. Nicholas was NO WHERE near him

no fault of the goal keepers what so ever.

TBH it summed up Nicho's game on saturday, first touch was poor, and much as I like him, with Vincent fit again it wasn't the kind of performance which will help him retain his place in the side IMHO

was watching Nicho and he was talking to Monkhouse, and Nicho had his arms around him as they were waiting for the corner but unchallenged when the ball arrived. Thought Nicho was at fault at the time (and believe he was still partly to blame) but having now seen it on the box, I have to agree that any ball within the 6 yard box, Smithy should be knocking everything out of the way (I'm clearly no expert, but maybe his starting position needs looking at, as goal at Palace was similar???).  That said, I have been chuffed for Smithy as I doubted that he could be a suitable replacement for Brez, but has done a good job and has meant we haven't (so far) had to go and find another keeper.

Thats crazy.its in the 6 yard box he should at least get a hand to it

the 6 yard box is the keepers domain.although nicho was at fault too,smith should share some the blame.he likes to punch the ball, so i'm wondering why he didn't do so on saturday?

Brez has got the best part of a foot on Smithy though, you'd expect him to mop up crosses and corners like vomit in a hospital.

I like to see keepers come for anything in the six yard area, so Smith must take some of the blame.  However as Mattboy says, Nicho's performance on Saturday highights the reason why Vincent will be back in the side when fully fit.

I think Smith is a superb goalkeeper, from point blank range I honestly believe he is one of the best keepers I have seen. His descision making as whether to come out or not is a little iffy, but he is a more than capable keeper for this and higher divisions.

Which begs the question why the hell was he playing in the non-league for so long, and wasn't spotted?

Perhaps the lack of a 'keeper coach is becoming a factor - I'm guessing Luggy would be looking to replace Beazley at some point?






Or maybe that money was absorbed into the consultancy 'skills' of Boyd and Blodwyn?

ffs free header in the box, cant be the keepers fault.

Monkhouse shouldnt have been allowed to get his head on it

After seeing the goal earlier, I'd place the blame on both Nicho and Smith.

Smithy was in no man's land and Nicho just looked confused.

No your right dv it isnt smiths fault.He was right to just stand on his line and flap