Well he won’t go to Millwall, so we’re in with a shout. Would fit with the profile of older experienced head in our defence, and a no-nonsense player for sure
Agreed Oslo but was hoping his age and the fact that he hasn't played much, will allow him wander next door to us. Wishful thinking l know but hey, gotta stay positive.
He does fit the profile of an "hard experiecne PRO" and could be of the Clint Hill type mould. But yes, salary expectation could be the blocking point. Perhaps we need someone similar but from the division below us and not the money-bags Premiership!
There is a lot of hype about Smithies going to Birmingham (for 2-3 million), as Brum have to get ridof Stockdale and his £35,000 a week habit. The hype is that we will be shooting ourselves in the foot. Who else thinks, Sir Les is secretely pleased/promoting it; money for a 28 year old when we have Lumley/Ingrams in reserve. Really can see that happening...and not too worried myself
I would let Smithies go for the right money on the basis that we invest the money elsewhere. Karius will be available soon and on the cheap
People who are ok with getting rid of Smithies don't get how hard it is to find a keeper of his quality. Lumley is young and very decent and could have promise but is not quite there yet. Ingram is no where near as good as Smithies in my opinion. Smithies has played many a game for us and has shown his ability. Keepers like that aren't 2 a penny. He is one of our most important players and has gained/saved us many points. We should only let him go if we have no choice.
Not sure anyone else has ever come in for him. Even though we really rate him... He is 28 and small for a keeper. We will see. Sent from my STF-L09 using Tapatalk
Agree with that. The rumoured price sounds like peanuts for a GK of his quality and experience. 28 is still young for a Keeper
We seem to get this with smithies every window and then no one comes in. Not sure what his contract status is but I'd want more than 3m for him.
Furthermore, if we kept all three for next season we'd have perhaps the best keeping staff situation in the whole league.
Losing our first choice keeper and our two centre backs!! ****ing crazy in my opinion. The spine of any team is crucial - and that would rip a hole in our back-end!! It’s bad enough we have a meagre attack. Not the right time in my opinion.
We were in that position last season ..and had to send each out on loan for half a season. I am not sure logistical that we can keep 3 potentially first team goalies. Of the three (imho), Ingram has not really lived up to his hype when I have seen him. Lumley really has looked the future and got rave reviews at Blackpool.... To me it is a toss up between keeping Smithies and Lumley (but would Lumley be happy to sit on the bench for a season, at this stage of his development) and selling Ingram for peanuts. Or keeping Lumley and Ingram...and letting them fight it out ..I think I would guess who would win. Getting a few million for Smithies would be useful for the kitty for the CDs and prolific strikers we need so desperately. Sent from my STF-L09 using Tapatalk
Brum won't be buying anyone as Harold made sure they were completely f*cked with FFP restrictions with his spending spree last summer.......... I like it that no one else seems to rate Smithies even though IMO he is better than half the keepers in the top flight.........it seems that these days the trend is to bring in overseas keepers who don't know how to catch a ball, but can pass it like a central midfielder.....weird.
It is suggested that they will sell Stockdale and buy Smithies for near the same price or just a bit cheaper...and then save near 50% on wages. ....for exactly the FFP reason. For that reason the rumour has legs Sent from my STF-L09 using Tapatalk
