http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/s...ed/s/117/117589_smith_set_for_7m_switch_.html According to ManchesterOnline.com, Alan Smith signed today for 7mm pounds plus Danny Pugh And there's more... Hmmm - I'm definitely in the "luke-warm" about Smith. He's quite young, though, and there's never been a better manager for bringing along young talent than SAF. If anyone can make Alan Smith a star, its SAF...
Well, it would be nice to get the two signings done. I also hope SAF can get Smith to focus his anger and use it to succeed on the pitch. He has shown signs of improvement recently in the discipline area, so maybe things will work out there. I am not too familiar with Heinze, but I'm anxious to see what he can do.
I really think this is good news... Its hard to lose with Smithy... he is very young, talented and importantly, versatile... seeing as we may lose OGS in the transfer market he would be a vital addition, both as back up to Ruud and Saha, which is needed, and as back-up to Ronaldo on the wings... and if Klebs goes, although i pray he doesn't Smith could also back up Paul... all in all, I think he is a good, buy. He wont move the earth, or score upwards of 15 goals a season for us... but I think 8-12 goals and 5 or so assists off the bench and in limited starting action would be good... What I like about him, is he is the perfect candidate to bring in for some of our less important games when we rest a striker or Scholes... he wont take it lightly and is good enough to score, and impact the game unlike Bellion, who is not quite there... once he meshes with the team he will prove his worth... and the depth at striker will be needed in our treble winning season next year.
Great deal to get Smith. His versatilty will be very helpful. Like mtkillamanjohno said Smith is the perfect substitute for Ruud, Saha, Ronaldo, and Scholes when they need a rest. Sad to see a young talent like Pugh leave. Anyway he doesn't seem to get a chance to play in the first team if we sign another defender.
I think we're getting a lot closer to the Sheringham, Solskjaer/Yorke,Cole squad depth. If Bellion comes good next season we could do pretty well, all in all great deal. Smith is what this club is all about, never giving up. I'm sure he'll give his all in every match, and we need some more passion up front.
I got to thinking as I read your post. Smith providing 8-12 goals and some assists is at least as much as Forlan has provided over the course of his Man UTd career and I think he will fit into Man Utd better. Really when you think about it they are about the same age but I would think most on the boards here would think Smith has, at this moment, more of an upside than Forlan.
Hmmm - good point about Smith not giving up. He's caught a lot of ******** over the years for doing the same things we all did as teenagers but, damnit, you're right - he has stuck to his guns and had a good 2003/4. But what do you guys think about his 2002/3 and 2001/2 seasons? 7 goals in two seasons for a striker doesn't seem like United material. What happened those two seasons? I must admit to being a fan of good soccer and not having watched too much of Leeds those seasons
7 mil + Danny Pugh might just be the price that United can agree on. I have to start warming up to the sight of Alan Smith in red. The way I look at it though, Alan Smith couldn't be as bad as Forlan. With all the new talent that was brought in at the start of last season, Pugh's future didn't look good. Perhaps he'll find a spot with Leeds. Good move for Leeds though, getting some cash & a warm body to go along with it. They'll need both.
Agreed. From his past performances against us, frankly, he has not shown enough skill to compete with Saha or Solskjaer for a starting spot next season. His skill level is probably about the same as Forlan. At 7 million pound, I hope he will show a lot of improvement next season. Btw, I believe Leeds has once gain pulled off a great deal from us. First, they are desperately in need of money. Second, Smith has made it clear that he will not stay at Leeds. Third, among the interested clubs, ManUtd is the only one that Smith is willing to join. 7 million pound is probably the max they can get even without the above 3 conditions. And now, they also get Danny Pugh, who is exactly the kind of player that they need in the First Divison.
A sensible deal to do with Smith would be one that is performance related. Either in terms of Man U appearances, England appearances or both.
Smith? Euuurghhh what a bad buy.. Just take a look at his goal per game ratio... With SAF only playing a lone striker in his formations, I dont see how Smith would get a run of games. Especially with SAF prefered choice of Van Horseface and Louis 'one hit wonder' Saha. SAF's list of flops continues...
Cantona, Keane, Schmeichel, Solskjaer, etc. ? We are going back to 4-4-2 next year, for your information. We may employ the 4-5-1 for Euro away matches or the odd big away domestic match. Of course, I'm talking about tactical changes in Europe to an Arsenal supporter.... maybe we need a translator. LOL!
Give us time. It's Wengers 8th season in charge of our club. And don't forget it took SAF 13 years to win the CL.
They won no trophies.. Plus it was inevitable they would beat us atleast once this season. We've player 5 matches against Chelsea and we've won 2 drew 1 and lost 1. So it was pretty much coming, and I'm just gutted it was the CL Qtr-final.
Bellion came on a free - ok, we were ordered to pay Sunderland 2 mil or something - but you can't teach pace and he's been a good experiment for that price. Fergie may have given up on him to produce goals at this point in his career, but maybe he will stick around and develop, who knows?