Thetownend.com

I'll be your number one
           


  TOWN keeper Phil Smith is determined to prove to Paolo Di Canio that he can be the Italian’s first-choice shot stopper this season.

           

http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/news/headlines/9093379.I_ll_be_your_number_one/?ref=rss
           

After that quality kick out/ throw for the goal we let in against the Monkey hangers at home last season, I want you to be 14th choice for STFC next season !!

Smith was superb the last time we were in league 2. All players make mistakes too

This is the type of comment that really pisses me off.

Yes, Smith makes a few mistakes, as do all keepers, but the stick he gets is unreal. Almost all the outfield players last season were fucking up on a regular basis, putting whoever was in goal under loads of pressure. Between Smith and Lucas I think Smith handled it better. He pulled off a number of very good saves, but all some want to do is pick up on his cock ups.

If (As has been suggested) Smithy is a confidence player, having the fuckwits in the Townend and elsewhere continually slagging him off won't be doing anything but affect him even more.

Sometimes I think the term 'Supporter' is fucking lost on a lot of our fans.

(This isn't aimed at you in particular Tamworth)

For me personally Scott has to be given a fair crack this season.

When Smith is chosen I always worry he will drop a clanger, does not command his box and does not deal with crosses well. If it was just about shot stopping he would be quality But he needs an all round game to be sucessful but that is only mine and my Dad's opinion

Smith is a great back up keeper and is a good shot stopper but he never fills me with confidence especially when coming for crosses.
All players do make mistakes but he makes them too often to be the regular number one.

Ahead of Lucas and Smith? Based on what?

Lucas made a whole load of clangers last year which went unnoticed, Smith made fewer mistakes yet he got a whole load of abuse and Lucas went unharmed, totally unfair, some fans just seem to 'dislike' Smith with a passion, and to be honest, if it wasn't for Smith, we may never of made it to the PLayoff Final last year as it was his Heroic and Battling performance that made some very crucial saves, now all the Smith haters, lay off him and give him a chance... otherwise I'll come round your flat and smash your kneecaps in ;)

Football Manager

Crosses I think are his biggest weakness, but to expect to get an all round quality keeper in the lower leagues is wishful thinking. Not many keepers are great at everything, even in the prem some keepers are poor at certain aspects. His weaknesses can be addressed I think (Given the right coaching.) The most important quality in a keeper is shot stopping and he's very good at that.

People seem to forget that we are a lower league club therefore most of our players are going to make mistakes.

Smith and Lucas are good keepers at this level. One of the best saves I've ever seen was Smiths last season against Craig Mackail-Smith at the CG. They're bound to drop one in occasionally otherwise they wouldn't be playing for us.

Talent ? Scott was player of the round last year in the FA cup. All I am saying is he needs a chance at least

Have to say I agree with this.

He has his good points (makes some truly fantastic saves), but also has his bad points (his kicking isn't good & he looks very shaky dealing with crosses/balls in the air).

Lucas (when fit) is clearly a better keeper, but can we rely on Lucas being fit?

And FWIW I'd be very wary of throwing Scott in, maybe let him play in the JPT & see how that goes.

To be fair to Smith and Lucas the defence was so poor last year it was like being in front of a firing squad with only a tissue for protection.
With a decent defence in front of them this season I think there will be less pressure on them and fewer moments for mistakes.

And with a new manager coming in, he'll probably get it.  Di Canio will be running the rule over all squad members.  He'll get a shot if it's warranted.  I must admit I don't know whether he's ready or not...but I'm glad he's having a go.  We need the competition.

Apparently Madam Tussauds came down, analysed our keepers and created the model for this years goalie kit... the fact it is headless wasn't an oversight...

[url width=400 height=604]http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/253950_218141014892418_155824257790761_672714_6642105_n.jpg[/url]

I like Smith and will love him forever after that night at The Valley.

He's plenty good enough for L2.

Smith is a great shot stopper,but every goalkeeper is. That part of the game is the easy part. He does struggle to command and his dealing with crosses is questionable. That said i doubt he's a big earner, and even if he drops to no2 is an able deputy for the level we are at.
Was very good last time in the div,but remember he had williams and vincent calling the shots.
Gotta step up to the plate if he's gonna be no1

Isn't he just quoting song lyrics by "Princess" ??

Thought Smith was our best keeper last season. Far better shot stopper and quicker reactions than Lucas, though his distribution is poor. Not sure there is anything between them regarding mistakes last as they both screwed up lots.

Don't think the chopping and changing helped either of them. One of them needs to be number one and given time.

Personally I'd say they were much a muchness last season in performance as well as mistake made. Other than that I'd agree with all the rest as above. 

Season before I thought Lucas was easily the better keeper, i.e. better than Smith was before Lucas arrived and a clear number #1.

For me the Gloves are off (or on) in the race to be #1 number 1.

Lucas bottled it time and again last season IMO

Unlucky with injuries or just not up for the fight ?

You decide

I know what I think

injuries?

I'm happy with Lucas but dont rate Smith, dont think many teams will do better in league 2.

Other areas are more important to strengthen at the moment, like forwards and defence!

We can now drop Smithy and play him up front :D

For me Phil Smith has proved himself to be an able and competent keeper, at this sort of level we are never going to have a world beater but he is honest and consistent, and he proved himself more than able to become 1st choice last season.

I think that Smith has improved from when he first came here and it is good to know that we have 2 decent keepers on our books more than able to step in and a young inexperienced 3rd choice waiting in the wings.

I think it will be an interesting pre-seaon for the keepers to see who can come out on top
 

If PdC watched last seasons videos, then Smithy's a shoo-in for the number 1 in my opinion. Although in fairness there's not a lot between them.