Southampton FC (First Team) v Stoke City FC (First Team) Football League Championship Referee: Smith, Josh Assistant Referee: Howson, Akil Assistant Referee: Russell, Mark Fourth Official: Hicks, Craig
Name: Joshua Smith Birthplace: Peterborough Josh Smith started refereeing in 2006, aged 14, following in the footsteps of his dad and his grandfather who refereed football and rugby league respectively. In 2015, Smith was promoted to the EFL assistant referee list before opting to specialise as a referee three years later. Notable achievements for Smith include refereeing the League Two Play-Off semi-final in 2020 and he has also overseen a number of games in the Premier League.
McCarthy Sugawara THB stephens manning Downes Charles Dibling Fernandez Robinson downs bench: moody, quarshie, Fraser, wellington, Armstrong, Matsuki, Taylor
Yes drop Baz after a very solid start whereas McCarthy was shaky against Northampton. What a great idea.
That would be the weirdest selection ever, along with having no keeper on the bench. Unless Moody (?) is a keeper...which would make it even weirder.
Some people just can't admit they may be wrong. I understand it's only 2 games but he's been rock solid so far. To not have him in your squad is petulant TBH.
I knew I’d get some irate responses there! I’ll happily be proven wrong, he’s not won me over after 2 games though.
He’s let in 2 goals in 2 games, one a penalty and the other an own goal. He’s also made a few very good saves. Please explain what else he has to do to win you over.
Perform well over a sustained period. My team selection was a bit tongue in cheek, but I’m surprised that people are suddenly putting all their faith in him.
He’s had 2 good performances but I’m not rushing to use the words “best” and “Bazunu” in the same sentence.
I agree with Lovelocum in that he hasn't won me over after 2 games. However, he is clearly playing well at the moment and should be in the team on current performances, it's not exactly as if he is keeping a fantastic keeper out of the side. I'm not convinced by any of our GKs and wanted a new no.1 for the season, but that's clearly not happening.
I wouldn't say he's won me over (and I've been one of his biggest critics) as it's very early days but thjnk it'd be silly to drop him at this point after he's made a decent start.
