I'm with YNBK. Smith & Clayton would be an awesome midfield. But we would then have a problem as to how to fit Howson in. We also have Varynun & Brown, as well as possibly Nunez (albeit as an attqcking CM). Not sure we've got room for Smith. I also think some of our fans would need to grow up over Smith. He didn't ask to leave. He gave us back his signing on fee. And yes, we didn't take too kindly to the badge kissing episode. But we should put it down to over-exuberence. Not bright, but not worth the grief some fans say they would gve him if he came back.
They have confirmed that they're paying Almunia's wages in full and according to the Gooners, he's on somewhere approaching £50k a week. It's not as much as Nolan, he got a four year deal at £55k a week. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-West-Ham-spark-exodus-warns-Joey-Barton.html
YNBK, I think the problem with Varynun is that SG hasn't yet worked out where his best position is when everyone else is fit. If everyone is available, what's our starting midfield & who's on the bench? Does Varynun play instad of Howson, or maybe Nunez? Alternatively, is our best midfield Pugh, Clayton, Howson, & Snoddy? Not an easy call this one. Me thinks Howson's less than wonderous performances of late are down to either him being knackered & in need of a break, or some game plan that he's struggling with. Either way, it needs sorting asap, especially as Nunez & Sam appear to be itching to play more of a part. Last Saturday, both were instrumental in giving us more attacking options in the 2nd half, which is why we ended up winning.
Boggers If hes knackered at the start of the season and we have had extra internationals, he got sent off (so missed an extra game) then our fitness coach needs sacking! Howson played every single game last season and has one of the best engines ive seen! His fitness is not the problem, the role he has played is hes the less attack minded midfielder and he roots himself to the floor doesnt get forward
Smith's legs have gone. What's the point when we've got Michael Brown who's exactly the same player, on less wages and not a Judas scum twat?
Varnyen will just be on the bench I think. Same with Nunez. I can't see a place for Nunez when the team's fully fit, although away from home maybe behind a lone striker? The thing is, Grayson rarely chances his tactics and never rotates unless we lose a few games or someone's injured. It'd be nice to see a bit of rotation of players and tactics sometimes. He never makes use of his squad. Howson for me is doing a good job in the role he's being asked to play. He's obviously better behind the striker, but he can't play that position this season. His passing is good, and he's starting attacking moves. I don't think he's been outstanding, but the criticism he gets sometimes is unjust.
Gus Poyet has his eye on Alan Smith, according to the Daily Star, with Newcastle looking likely to offload the injury prone star in the January transfer window. Poyet has already purchased Newcastle keeper Steve Harper on loan, and reportedly believes that Smith can help Brighton get back to their winning ways, after the club suffered a slump in form this season. The news will no doubt come as a blow to Leeds, who were said to be interested in Smith again after the 31-year-old has received limited starts at the Toon this season. West Ham are also said to be interested in Smith, but Leeds are front runners, with the side desperate to get promoted into the top-tier once more, and more willing to come closer to Smith’s £60,000-a-week wage demand. ITS A DONE DEAL, HE'S COMING....
Vayrynen is a quality,experienced,proven international midfielder,whereas Smith is a former striker who didn't score many goals,whose legs went at a relatively young age & was therefore converted to a not very effective combative midfielder prone to making reckless challenges & picking up needless cautions. For me Vayrynen over Smith any day of the week. & why is it Grayson only discovers a player's best position by chance,as in the case of Lees,White,O'Dea & to a lesser extent McCormack? He seems to play a lot of players out of position when they initially come into the side before by chance through injury or plain pot luck he plays them where they belong. Just seems like a lot of unnecessary messing about.
BORING BORING BORING...he will never play for the Whites again....sold his soul to the scum...yes he gave up his signing on fee blah blah blah ....**** him
I haven't rated Howson for a while now, I know a lot of fans love him but he really hasn't improved any on 2 seasons back.
He's definitely looked more involved this season. Not as confident in the tackle as Clayton, but his energy levels and commitment have been super from what I've seen. Then again, I've missed us at Peterborough and Brum when people were complaining. I guess we'll see on Sunday how he performs when he's really under scrutiny against our ultimate bogey team on the telly. Like Best Fans says, he's obviously an attacker (trained as a striker and probably a better finisher than Becchio, Snodgrass and Keogh), but he's slotted into the 4-4-2 much better than I expected this season and I'd rather have him than Alan Smith any day. The back line does need some strengthening and I think that's where the last piece of the first team jigsaw is missing. I'd also like better strength in depth from this squad like I said on the quartlerly review thread, but I guess that's a discussion for another day.
Smith is not good enough as a footballer, hence he should hang up his boots. This story comes from his agent, who is desperate to get him another deal, even when nobody wants him and wouldn't pay him the money Smith and his dickhead of an agent want. I couldn't give a **** about him playing for Man Utd, it's his poor football ability (when he was young and with us and now) that I don't rate him for, he can do what he likes as far as I am concerned, Man Utd mean nowt to me and never have.
Boab, fella, MORE articles about Smithy coming back home. There's no smoke without fire. Alan Smith is wanted on loan by both Brighton and Leeds United. Smith, 31, is out of favour at Newcastle and out of contract at the end of the season. The Magpies have no plans to renew his contract and would like his reported £60,000 a week pay off their wage bill. Former club Leeds are keen to have the striker-turned-midfielder back at Elland Road but Brighton boss Gus Poyet hopes he can persuade the player to join Newcastle loan keeper Steve Harper on the South Coast. Smith, bought from Man United for £6m in 2007, has had injury problems during his time at St. James' Park but stayed with the club even when they were relegated to the Championship for a season. The vastly experienced battler is seen as an ideal player to boost the promotion hopes of both Leeds and Brighton.
So Newcastle say they're prepared to let Smith go and INSTANTLY Leeds express a desire to sign him. Says who ? His agent, FFS !! He needs to create the illusion that his client is wanted by several clubs (including his 'spiritual home' of course, his hometown club, his one love, the club that he has always said he wants to play for again some day) to persuade that one mug club (Brighton ?) that he's highly sort after. "You'd better snap him up now Mr Poyet, I've had loads of interest in this one". And I agree with Boab, he just isn't good enough anymore. Cult hero ? That was then. And £60,000 a week ? Who's he trying to kid ? The papers reported last time that Leeds were prepared to pay half his wages. Don't make me laugh. Didn't Bates say he'd have to halve it and then knock at least one zero off before we'd even consider it ? The only way he'll be seen at Elland Road in a Leeds shirt again is if he pays the money on the door like everybody else.
