Johann Smith next to go?

[TheChoker]

Apparently Johann's on trial for Croatia's NK Rijeka.

"The source said Smith isn't particularly happy with his contract north of the border -- Smith earns a base salary of $36,000" ...LOL, no kidding! I wouldn't be happy making 36K doing anything!

To bad though, I liked his speed and he looked like a player with MLS potential.

Link here:
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2009/01/17/1065819/toronto-fcs-johann-smith-on-croatian-trial

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

Probably angling for some of the allocation money that TFC have available. Rijeka have one of the world's most interesting stadium locations:-

http://www.groundhopping.de/rijeka.htm

http://www.groundhopping.de/rijekag7.jpg

http://www.groundhopping.de/rijekag1.jpg

http://www.groundhopping.de/rijekag4.jpg

They tended to be a strong midtable team in the old Yugoslav league but haven't done much in the last 20 years. I'm skeptical that they would have huge amounts of money to throw at foreign players as crowds are usually not that big in a Croatian league context but maybe an ex-Yu can fill us in on the details on that.

I suspect Johann Smith wouldn't be used as much more than a fresh pair of legs late in games to take defenders on for pace this season when everybody is fit as Dunivant and Brennan could play left mid when a defensive mindset is called for, Ricketts may switch to the left if Guevara or De Rosario are used wide on the right when attack is emphasis. Given ten appearances for Ibrahim means a first round pick in 2010 for Dallas it would leave a gap if he left.

[smenge]

Another of MOs mistakes takes his leave.

[T-boy]

I'm not sure you can call a 20 year old making 36k a mistake signing?! He had all the pedigree to be an excellent player, and Mo was right to sign him.

[adammac19]

I would be disappointed to see Smith go. He shown some signs of a player who can use his pace and some skill to beat the full-back but needed to develop more of a end product.

Having learn this news maybe Seattle might of known that Smith was planning to return to Europe which is why they didn't take him in the draft.

[hodgkiss]

i'm assuming everyone saw the cross he made into ibbe when ibbe scored on that header? it was beautiful and i was really looking forward to seeing more of that happening over the next few years - hopefully growing into something even better.

anyway, what i'm getting at is the fact that we don't have a lot of talent when it comes to crossing, in fact, i thought johann was one of or if not - the best crosser on our team. not to mention his pace with the ball was good and he had some good control of the ball.

sure he's still young and tries stepovers constantly but if he was to settle down a bit and get the right guidance and coaching, he could be fantastic.

i hope he sticks around and i hope he gets some more coin too. we can't afford to pay him a tnne of cash but if we onload some has beens and those fringe type players, we could give some of these promising young guys something to look forward to.

[smenge]

The mistake I am referring to is simple. First MO takes forever to scout and sign a player who wants to play for tfc. He tells the media, and the fans, that he is "a good mate with skill on the ball etc". Then, he pays him shit, while the coach uses him sparingly. Then, the guy leaves for a real job. This is the mistake, MO is the mistake. A good triple A hockey club in Toronto has better management and administration than TFC with MO at the helm.

[crazypete13]

The mistake I am referring to is simple. First MO takes forever to scout and sign a player who wants to play for tfc. He tells the media, and the fans, that he is "a good mate with skill on the ball etc". Then, he pays him shit, while the coach uses him sparingly. Then, the guy leaves for a real job. This is the mistake, MO is the mistake. A good triple A hockey club in Toronto has better management and administration than TFC with MO at the helm.

Dude - we get it - you think Mo sucks.

Do us all a favour and start two threads - one called 'Mo Sucks' another called 'Carver Sucks' and limit your rants to them.

Quit using every thread as your pillory for Mo.

[Roc Le Roc]

The mistake I am referring to is simple. First MO takes forever to scout and sign a player who wants to play for tfc. He tells the media, and the fans, that he is "a good mate with skill on the ball etc". Then, he pays him shit, while the coach uses him sparingly. Then, the guy leaves for a real job. This is the mistake, MO is the mistake. A good triple A hockey club in Toronto has better management and administration than TFC with MO at the helm.

Jesus H Christ you are an annoying, whiny, bitch.

Why do you follow TFC? You clearly hate everything about the team. Why do you watch MLS? You obviously think it's garbage.

Who the hell do you think you are? What experience do you have that makes any of your critiques of Mo valid? If the team makes the playoffs this year will you still hate on everything? If Jesus himself were to suit up for TFC you'd say...."Mo's stupid. Jesus sucks. Carver's a jerk. MLS is bush league, if Jesus were good he'd be in the EPL. Ronnie O'Brien is awesome."

We get the point, dude. Now even POTENTIALLY losing Johann Smith is reason for yet another tirade on Mo? It starts to lose it's impact when you say the same thing over and over and over. Why don't you go lurk on the Columbus forum. I'm sure you'll find other people to hate on TFC with.

I'm actually going to block you now. I'm tired of reading your idiotic Mo hate. If you weren't so stupid it would be different...unfortunately you're just too dumb and unreasonable.

I like Smith and hope he stays.

[smenge]

Jesus H Christ you are an annoying, whiny, bitch.

Why do you follow TFC? You clearly hate everything about the team. Why do you watch MLS? You obviously think it's garbage.

Who the hell do you think you are? What experience do you have that makes any of your critiques of Mo valid? If the team makes the playoffs this year will you still hate on everything? If Jesus himself were to suit up for TFC you'd say...."Mo's stupid. Jesus sucks. Carver's a jerk. MLS is bush league, if Jesus were good he'd be in the EPL. Ronnie O'Brien is awesome."

We get the point, dude. Now even POTENTIALLY losing Johann Smith is reason for yet another tirade on Mo? It starts to lose it's impact when you say the same thing over and over and over. Why don't you go lurk on the Columbus forum. I'm sure you'll find other people to hate on TFC with.

I'm actually going to block you now. I'm tired of reading your idiotic Mo hate. If you weren't so stupid it would be different...unfortunately you're just too dumb and unreasonable.

I like Smith and hope he stays.

You really should be nice, I am starting to fall in love with you roc. Calling me bitch. Isn't that what your buddies call you at the club?

Every post which indicates a departure, or rumor of departure, of a tfc player, whom you want to stay, but doesn't, is MOs fault. It is not my intention to pillory MO all the time, I am just pointing out the reason for the negative things that occur with the club, and they all point at MO. I too like Smith. Do I have to say it: here, I like Smith. Now, my response to the thread: I think his intention on leaving is blamed on MO. What is it that you do not understand? I realize I am trying to convince you, of all people. And, god, It must be sunday, with nothing to do, for me to be wasting this time. Anyhow, go ahead and call me whatever, it, and you, have NIL impact on me, in any way, shape, or form. In other words, you are a non-entity. I am just typing on a keyboard.

[smenge]

Dude - we get it - you think Mo sucks.

Do us all a favour and start two threads - one called 'Mo Sucks' another called 'Carver Sucks' and limit your rants to them.

Quit using every thread as your pillory for Mo.

Look. I see your point. But virtually all of the mistakes made by TFC can be attributed to MO. What are we supposed to think? The guy everybody likes, a new player, with lots of potential is leaving because his boss is an ass. Shit, it is boring, but it is all MOs fault, all the time.

[smenge]

Thank God. I wish somebody reminded me that you could put somebody onto the ignore list. I apologize to all who are bored with this stupid, languid, and idiotic debate between me and Roc the now ignored, Roc. It is never my intention to rant, but shit, he follows me in every thread, and never lets up with his childish rant.

I paid big money for bmo tickets. I am quite happy to have tfc in toronto. But, I hate MO. He is a clown, and will likely get fired soon, that is my prediction. Why, because he is stupid.

In these thread, some people remark on the rumors of soon to be departed players like it is an expected thing, a good thing.. I don't do that. It pisses me off when it happens. Yes, when ROB left, and yes, when EDU left. I actually liked watching Smith play. But with MO in charge you get a guy paid 35 k per year. Does anybody expect him to stay. And yes, it is MO who signs the contract. What is he thinking? True fans should be rankled by these musings, and by these actions, not supportive...a young, talented player leaves TFC for some shit stain city, in the ass of Europe, rather than play here. What does that say about MLSE management, and MO in particular.

[crazypete13]

Look. I see your point. But virtually all of the mistakes made by TFC can be attributed to MO. What are we supposed to think? The guy everybody likes, a new player, with lots of potential is leaving because his boss is an ass. Shit, it is boring, but it is all MOs fault, all the time.

Fair enough - and I do believe that Mo has made his fair share of mistakes - time will ultimately tell of course.

This looks to me like a player trying to get a raise -some of this oft mentioned allocation money. Whether this is of his doing - over TFC not wanting to give him a raise - or because of Mo's actions is unclear at this point.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

i'm assuming everyone saw the cross he made into ibbe when ibbe scored on that header? it was beautiful and i was really looking forward to seeing more of that happening over the next few years - hopefully growing into something even better.

Good chance you still will. Bear in mind that Collin Samuel tried out with St. Johnstone and Burnley (no time to double check?) last winter as well but still started the season with TFC. That cross was a definite plus but I'd balance that with his performance against San Jose in the last game of the season. Looked like little boy lost. I could finally see why Carver wasn't starting him in earlier games. Probably best termed "a project" at this point. I'll be surprised if NK Rijeka want to throw lots of money in his direction at this stage in his career.

[smenge]

Mo made such a fuss getting Smith last year. I think he traded allocation money to New England for his rights, but I am not sure. Then, the guy plays, what, four games as a starter, and is paid 35k per season. I hope he leaves for Croatia, where I am sure the soccer is better, the money is better, and the women, well, I won't go there. I actually feel sorry for him. He appeared to have skill and talent, too bad he earns less money playing pro soccer in Canada, than the data entry clerk in my office does licking stamps.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

According to a poster elsewhere it says on his facebook page that he is in Connecticut (sp?) and hasn't left at any point during the offseason. A Croat guy posted he had heard Rijeka didn't want him. If true I suspect that means the trial didn't go too well if it happened at all.

[TFCMANU]

"One further note on TFC and that is that, contrary to reports, Johann Smith is not on trial in Croatia. Smith was offered the chance but turned it down."

http://my.thescore.com/footyblog/archive/2009/01/19/6655.aspx

[bluezy]

Then it just ends up as good news for us.

[Blizzard]

Then it just ends up as good news for us.

.... and it's also a good time to close this thread.

http://homepage.mac.com/omegaosx/.Pictures/dead_thread.jpg