either we get 250k minimum or don't let him go as he is worth more to us to keep him. In order to get up at the first attempt, we will need the best players available to us.... Smith would most definitely be one of those!
The transfer value of Smith is interesting. The bottom line is that he is only worth what someone is willing to pay. He was included in the L2 team, so obviously he was standout with the players who played against him. But it is quite possible that a lot of the clubs in the higher leagues may not have scouted him at all. IMO he is better than L1 status, so he should be valued by the Rovers as a player capable of playing at that level. So I wouldn't be surprised if Smith will at least start the season with Rovers. That situation may well be the best option for him as he may find there is a greater choice in deciding his final destination and better for Rovers in order to maximise his final sale value.
To be honest I dont think you are going to get 250K for a conferance player who has a year left on his contract and I cant see your board risking letting him go on a free when his contract winds down. I know he is better than conferance but clubs wont be held to ransom and now that he has put in a transfer request I believe he will be gone sooner rather than later. Players dont put in a request like this and risk upsetting management, team mates and fans alike without have some idea that they will be off soon. Sorry to be a voice of doom and gloom and I will hold my hand up if proven wrong.
smith aint the type of player who will throw his toys out the pram. clarke has made it clear to smith that smith is very valuable to us. we dont need to sell and clarke and co know exactly what chris above. if a club come in with a stupid high offer then of course the club will accept. until then smith knows the best chance to get what he wants is to perform every game to a high standard and hope a club watching him will take a gamble meeting rovers asking price. every club is a selling club because every player has a price on their head. rovers wont sell unless that price is met. smith knows this. he was offered a new contract and decided not to take the deal so he knows he will either go this summer if the right offer comes but if not he is free to sign a pre contract in jan for a new club and move to that new club next summer. he is the sort of player if he knows he will syat for 1 more season he will certainly give his all until then. here is what clarke said: "Obviously Michael wants to pursue his career in the Football League, which I totally understand, but until we receive an offer that meets our valuation he won't be going anywhere. I have a good relationship with Michael and I have been totally honest with him about that. I want players here who are ambitious and want to play at the highest level possible, but they also have to understand that we have to stand our ground because we are not going to get into a situation where clubs are hand picking our best players because they think they can get them on the cheap. That's not going to happen. Michael is a fantastic professional who fully understands where we are coming from and I know that he will continue to give me 100 per cent for as long as he remains at the football club."
CJS, nice to see that despite following football in Bristol for so many years you still have shoots of optimism poking through. I'm a glass half empty kind of guy and I would be very surprised if you see Smith in a Rovers shirt again (at least in a competitive game), mind you I think the same with Baldock and a City shirt so I'm hoping my pessimism is misplaced
I agree that he should aim for a Championship Club or at least a L1 club which will get there soon...
Not one for saying I told you so but I told you so, just hoping now that my second prediction doesn't come in
