This from: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-1029985,00.html Scroll down to the last of the article. Obviously just a rumor. I don't think it will happen. Smith is Leeds through and through. But if it could happen, would he fit in at the Valley? I, for one, would think it great. He can play forward and attacking midfielder -- like Jason Euell has been doing. And lately at forward he has been quite creative -- he played a part in both Leeds' goals against Liverpool. And of course he had the beautiful header for the draw against the Red Devils the week before. Plus he has that tough attitude. He doesn't take it off anyone. Combine his strengths with some Curbishley coaching and he could become an even better player.
And that's his problem. He has been in all kinds of trouble with the FA. He picks up stupid yellow and red cards. He has a bad attitude. While I like dedicated play he still carries too much baggage. He's like two other former Charlton players that went to Leeds: Lee Bowyer and Danny Mills. Does it make you wonder if players like that end up at Leeds? Leeds can keep him. We need a player who will be on the pitch full time and not watching the match from the stands while serving suspensions.
Bad discipline or not strikers who are capable of scoring twenty goals or more in a season are in short supply at the moment. It's no good having money to spend if there are not sufficient players out there to buy. Smith can be a bit of a handful but I'm sure that being at an unsettled club like Leeds hasn't helped. Charlton need a top striker who can get them twenty goals a season. Nobody in the present squad is capable of this at the moment. Smith may be a troublemaker but if he becomes available I wouldn't discount him totally.
I think that strikers who can score 20 goals are very rare. I also agree with addickfan that being in Leeds probatly has not helped. Say Smith does come to the Valley, who goes? Right now at striker there is: Cole (he is going to be around next year with his loan) DiCanio (Wants a new contract after his one year one will be up this season. I think he deserves anoteher one year one.) Bartlett (His contract is up. When healthy he is very dangerous, but has had injury problems in the past few years.) Lisbie (I am not too sure of his contract status. Anyone know.) JJ (His versitilaty helps out a lot. But does he want to stay where he will be a spot starter or a super sup?) Of the 5 I can see 4 with the Addicks next year. That leaves a very crowded front. Euell could be put in that company but he is better as a withdrawn attacking midfielder.
I agree with most of what you said Rob. My first response though is to say no players have to leave unless Curbs doesn't want them on his squad at all. But it would be hard to imagine him keeping more than four strikers. Letting one go will oepn up money to add someone to defense or midfield. My best guess would be Lisbie or JJ. There have been rumors that JJ is going back to the SPL. I think that would be a shame. He is versatile. I don't know Lisbie well enought to really comment. But the others seem obvious keepers. Having said that, could Curbs keep five if he thinks DiCanio has only one good year left in him? I'm sure Curbs is planning for next year and beyond.