Newcastle will hopefully be holding out for a West Ham or a Rangers to pick him up full-time though so they aren't stuck with that £30kpw commitment. Obviously that would be an improvement on their current situation, but I don't think Mike Ashley would be overly happy with it.
I doubt Westham or Rangers would want to pay him the full £60,000. Either way he's going to have to drop his wages. That's why Newcastle are willing to subsidise, because he could just opt to see out the remainder of his contract. He might sign a deal with a club that gives him £45,000 or so for the first year (which Ncastle paying £30,000) and then the second year it drops to £15k. He's 30/31 and has had injury problems, so I can't see any club paying him £30,000 + of their own money.
Hi fellow leeds fans, just decided to use this site now, seems better than it used to be, ja606 is terrible, worse than the bbc 606. Anyhoo, regarding Smith, i doubt Bates would pay more 15K a week, i'm i wrong in thinking Newcasle would have to stump up his wages for the rest of his contract anyway, as they have told him he is free to leave? So paying towards his wages to get him off the books seems a pretty amicable and sensible thing to do. Would be nice to see Smithy back, bring some passion back into Elland Road, i also think he should be welcome home, just my view.
Hi everyone, finally got around to registering on not606 after being inactive on 606 for a while! As for Smith, I know a lot of people see him as a hero and want him back, but surely we need to be spending the (tight) wage budget on squad building, rather than getting in an injury prone 30+ player? Yes he slots in as a DM quite nicely, but for how long? Aren't we better shopping the market and getting some new talent in?
Que - Koren's 30. Also, I think we need experience in the midfield. Our oldest players forward of the defence last season were 26.
Has anyone actually questioned Smith's fitness considering he only played 14 games or so last season. It all seems like a massive risk to me.
When you say "bring some passion back", does that mean you don't think we have a very passionate squad at the moment? I'd say it's one of our most passionate for years with Becchio, Gradel, Snodgrass, Howson and Kisnorbo all seemingly loving the Leeds spirit.
I don't think Smith coming back is a good idea. I have a good friend who is outright refusing to go to matches anymore if Smith signs, and it's not down to him signing for the scum. Signing for them was all well and good, it was the best decision for the club and him paying his signing on fee to Leeds United was very noble of him. However, to then be seen on TV kissing the scum badge on his shirt after scoring a goal, that is unforgivable. I, however, don't really care. As long as he does the job for us, he's fine. I'd just prefer he didn't come back because I enjoy my friends company at matches! Sod Smith, get Jack Cork instead!
I'm just imagining a Smith home debut at Elland Road, the faces of the first XI pop up on the big screen and all of a sudden, pandemonium. Those who cheer Smith's name are jeered by those who think he's scum, those who are still in love with him think those who boo him aren't proper Leeds fans. 'Alan Smith, Alan Smith, Alan Alan Smith' chants from one side, 'Go to scum, don't come back' chants from the other. Arguments from both sets within the stands which could even end up in punches being thrown if it gets heated. People say 'ooh one crunching tackle/wondergoal (don't know where that would come from) will win everyone over', but I get the feeling that those of us who consider him scum won't have our minds changed very easily. Well, at all. All in all, it's just a divisive situation I'd rather we avoided. Surely the club aren't so stupid that they think everyone would welcome him back?
well booing our own players during the game is really going to motivate the rest of the team. say what you want before and after but need to be giving the whole team support during the 90minutes
Maybe you can shead some light on this one, as many including myself have trawled the net to find a picture or video clip of Smith kissing there badge & it cant be found. Think its an urban myth to be honest I can see the pros and cons of Smith coming back & I'm still undecided
Marko Its a funny one mate http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A55080308 Done to death on the beeb but no proof there either!
I did realize it was Newcastle! And it is a kiss, the caption from the Telegraph says as much. Just proves he's not Leeds in my opinion, not that's something I didn't already know.
I'd like some more investigation done onto this. I'd like to bring it up next time I speak to him, and hopefully make him aware that it is just rumour mongering and urban legend that has been spread round, borne out of the hatred and betrayal of the act itself. Which, actually, wasn't really an act of betrayal unless this badge-kissing actually happened.
Im new one here but, I think that picture of him in Newcastle shirt is of him sniffing vicks on his shirt? It was quite common to put vicks onto shirt and sniff to help breathing. Would anyone be willing to give up their share of fee's and give back to the club? Im divided on this issue to be honest, we need not necessilary need a DM but a general in midfield, someone who commands like a K**ne of S cum was or Kavanah. Midfielders should be able to tackle, if they cant or wont then they shouldn't play there! Sorry if this is boring response.
