Adver News: I'll be your number one

[News Monkey]

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
           

[Tamworth Red Army]

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 !!

[Arriba]

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

[herthab]

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 !!

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)

[Tamworth Red Army]

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

[Trashbat?]

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.

[london_red]

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

Ahead of Lucas and Smith? Based on what?

[phelpsieboy]

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

[tans]

Football Manager

[herthab]

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

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.

[mrverve]

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.

[Tamworth Red Army]

Ahead of Lucas and Smith? Based on what?

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

[No Longer Posh Red]

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.

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.

[Trashbat?]

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.

[Ardiles]

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

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.