I can't help but notice that Smith is not on Bolton's website anymore, has no profile there or anything. Is he still part of the team?
Yes he is with the team. Back with the reserve-side today after returning from injury. http://www.bwfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~1105273,00.html
not sure. but there is a Smith listed in their reserve team.. http://www.bwfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~1105273,00.html
Johann played 58 minutes in today's reserve-side loss to Newcastle. Good to see him getting back his match fitness. http://www.bwfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~1105503,00.html
http://www.americansoccerdaily.com/news/smith030907.htm Smith talks about his recovery, his relationship with Anelka, and mentions that today he was back in action after his injury woes. The way Bolton have played recently, it could benefit him to get match fit and have a good run with the reserves, because his name could be called for the first team.
I can only guess at that advice from 'Nico:' "Call your management useless, and demand to move from every club after just half a season of player." <- The Anelka guide to getting it 'right.'
Johann says, "a player who is similar to me (Anelka)".. Johann: Please use this as motivation. Quite honestly, you are not similar to Anelka. Anelka has a touch that is off the charts fantastic. He was lighting it up at your age in the very top leagues. As much as I want Johann to succeed, he will only do so by staying a lot of hours after training, and really working on his touch and very technically things with the ball. He can't make up for lost time now, but he can outwork everyone else from here out. I like Smith. I think he has potential to play in the Prem more consistently one day. I do hope, however, he is working harder than any other kid in the Prem, since that's the only way he'll ever be as good as Anelka. He needs to be honest with himself, and recognize he has a bit of poor touch. He CAN get better, but he's got a long way (and a lot of work) to go. IMO, Smith can't just show up on the pitch, put in the same work as everyone else, and think he'll become an elite player.
I think that Johann knows most of this. Anyone who's in the reserves should be able to piece together that he's not as good as the clubs star striker, and if he ever wants to get that good he'll have to work hard. I also think that Smith (even though he could do nothing about it because he was injured) missed an incredible opportunity over the summer to impress his manager at the U20 world cup. In the U20 games leading up to the tournament he looked very dangerous on an already very attacking minded side. All the talk before he was injured had him lining up in the first eleven on one of the wings, and I think that's saying something as one of the US wingers got picked up by Hannover after the tourney, and the other already had a run with Heerenveen in Holland and was getting regular minutes in MLS. If Bolton are willing to keep investing in Smith I think that he'll eventually be able to contribute.
Where was he being arrogant - as you're intonating at? He never said that he was as good as Anelka, just that he sees some similarities in style, and is thankful to have the advice of someone he respects so tremendously. Times have changes a lot since Nicolas was his age, and young kids that aren't 'adult' complete simply don't get chances like they used to, regardless of proficiency. I'm sure that Johann is taking his opportunity very seriously, and considering that Sammy Lee seems to have faith in some of the club's youngsters, like having started Vaz Te ahead of Diouf, he's in a good situation at the moment.
Actually, Smith's direct replacement got picked up by Hannover. That's right, Zizzo was getting sub minutes until Smith got injured. Yes, he did miss an opportunity; but you can hardly blame him. What he does now to work himself back into form will make the difference.