View Full Version : Play Alan Smith In Midfield
warmkjos
01 Mar 2005, 09:53 PM
I know he's hurt right now, but Alan Smith may be the future of the Man Utd midfield. He has played there a couple times, usually as a sub, and done a great job. He flies in for tackles and intimidates oppossing players. He's kind of like Keane. He's a decent forward and all, but he never is going to be first choice at Man Utd, he could be a great midfielder.
bigtoga
02 Mar 2005, 07:30 AM
We have all talked about how Smith has the vision and touch to be considered a future replacement for Paul Scholes - if he wants to...
listen_up_fergie
13 Mar 2005, 03:37 PM
We have all talked about how Smith has the vision and touch to be considered a future replacement for Paul Scholes - if he wants to...
Replacement for Paul Scholes!? :eek:
I don't think so...he's probably more suited to play on the right wing like he did at times for Leeds. I think he would fit in pretty well in the 4-3-3 system we've been playing most of this season in place of Ronaldo, whenever he is injured or needs a rest.
nicephoras
13 Mar 2005, 07:01 PM
Smith's vision is NOT good enough to replace Scholes. Smith in midfield would be a slight more reckless and attacking version of Fletcher. He's a striker; leave him be.
johno
13 Mar 2005, 07:08 PM
Yes sir.
Teso Dos Bichos
13 Mar 2005, 07:16 PM
Smith's vision is NOT good enough to replace Scholes. Smith in midfield would be a slight more reckless and attacking version of Fletcher. He's a striker; leave him be.
It depends on how and where Rooney eventually plays. If Rooney sits in the hole, then having a direct replacement for Scholes wouldn't be that essential and Smith could do a job there. If Rooney plays as a striker, then we would need someone like Scholes to provide the link.
Achtung
13 Mar 2005, 07:20 PM
Smith's vision is NOT good enough to replace Scholes. Smith in midfield would be a slight more reckless and attacking version of Fletcher. He's a striker; leave him be.
Right, just because he's a good tackler (and he really is excellent at it), doesn't mean he'd be a good midfielder. I'd rather someone like Kleberson get the chance instead. That said, remember that Scholes is a converted striker himself.
nicephoras
13 Mar 2005, 10:02 PM
Right, just because he's a good tackler (and he really is excellent at it), doesn't mean he'd be a good midfielder. I'd rather someone like Kleberson get the chance instead. That said, remember that Scholes is a converted striker himself.
Smith is a good tackler for a forward - he chases people around and gets stuck in. If he did that as a midfielder he'd pick up a lot more cards and fouls. It'd also detract from his game because midfielders need to be more disciplined. Also, he only seems like a great tackler when compared to Scholes. ;)
Mac_Howard
13 Mar 2005, 10:57 PM
Did you see the way he caught that high ball when adjudged off side? Maybe he could solve our goalkeeping problem as well :rolleyes:
MANUTDGAL
17 Mar 2005, 09:27 PM
All I know about Smith is: When he is on the pitch he
makes things happen. He is a joy to watch. He should
be starting up front with Rooney and Ruud...:cool:
Vermont Red
18 Mar 2005, 10:41 AM
Has anyone considered playing Smith as a forward and letting one of United's fifty CMs play midfield?
Seriously, I don't want to see Smith anywhere but at forward. I believe it's a waste of his talents to play him in midfield. Also, we're not exactly short of central midfielders.
robby241
18 Mar 2005, 11:44 AM
All I know about Smith is: When he is on the pitch he
makes things happen. He is a joy to watch. He should
be starting up front with Rooney and Ruud...:cool:
i couldnt agree with you more. i like his type of player. plays will balls and heart, plays his ass off.
JN13
18 Mar 2005, 02:33 PM
I never liked him at Leeds when he spent a lot of time playing in midfield.
Even at United, I think he can play there if needed due to others being injured or suspended but I really like him a lot when he plays up front.
Unfortunately, right now with Rooney and Ruud up front it will be hard for him to break into the 1st team and he has to come off the bench.
But he is one of those players who will play RB or even GK if SAF asked and he will never whine and that is why he is such a valuable member of our squad.
He has cut down on the number of his red and yellow cards as well.
Another ex-Leeds player who is going to be a success at OT.
MtP07
13 Aug 2005, 09:33 PM
Kinda funny to read this thread now...
SirManchester
13 Aug 2005, 10:47 PM
Smith is one of my favorite players at the club, and I really want to see him start more often, but I just don't think that will happen. Maybe Ferguson can start him instead of Keane in less important games, and I'm sure he can adapt to the role, He is so offensive minded though, that he will never truly be able to replace Keane, furthermore, as disciplined as he has become, there is no way he won't pick up more reds in the role.
StrikerCW
14 Aug 2005, 05:35 PM
He had a few good tackles yesterday. Cracked a few, didn't get to see enough how he will do in the long run.
MANCUTDFAN01
16 Aug 2005, 07:59 AM
i tend to think that he'll fit in as a Central Midfielder. why? because every time i've seen him play in that postion United have looked tight, tidy ,mean and quick on the counter attack. whereas when keane is in the midfield they look scrappy, slow and basically trying to base the play around a crooked old man who's slow and can't hack it any more. Smudger is the replacement that we've had under our very noses for the last year. Keane's only ever scored 50 goals for the club so big deal if he doesn't reach the hights of Rooney and Ruud. if he drives United onwards to win the Premiership who gives a stuff if he only scores ten goals.
johno
16 Aug 2005, 10:17 AM
He had a few good tackles yesterday. Cracked a few, didn't get to see enough how he will do in the long run.
If he plays like he did in preseason, he'll be a good sub/replacement for Keane this season. We all know he's got the hunger, but what he showed alot of in the preseason was very good vision and distribution. He's not Scholes, but he is capable of making both the simple pass and sometimes some more creative passes.
What I thought he'd have the most trouble with is staying in position and not going too far forward, but that's not been a problem at all. He's sat back and allowed the fullbacks to go forward and I've been impressed with him every time he's played in CM. A nice bonus is that he's good in the air and can chip in with the occasional goal, more so than Keano. He probably wont ever be a legendary midfielder, but he can do the job, we might have to settle for legendary striker, support striker and winger for now. :D
Ferris
16 Aug 2005, 12:49 PM
If he plays like he did in preseason, he'll be a good sub/replacement for Keane this season. We all know he's got the hunger, but what he showed alot of in the preseason was very good vision and distribution. He's not Scholes, but he is capable of making both the simple pass and sometimes some more creative passes.
What I thought he'd have the most trouble with is staying in position and not going too far forward, but that's not been a problem at all. He's sat back and allowed the fullbacks to go forward and I've been impressed with him every time he's played in CM. A nice bonus is that he's good in the air and can chip in with the occasional goal, more so than Keano. He probably wont ever be a legendary midfielder, but he can do the job, we might have to settle for legendary striker, support striker and winger for now. :D
Plus his decision in choosing club over country recently has got to give every Man Utd fan a warm and fuzzy.
NYCgeezer
16 Aug 2005, 01:32 PM
Plus his decision in choosing club over country recently has got to give every Man Utd fan a warm and fuzzy.
Initially, yes - now I'm reading that it was a mutual decision made between Sven and Smith about his gaining full match fitness...
schwatever.