The mystery of where Alan Smith will end up is no nearer to being sorted out than when it was announced last Friday (by the Daily Mirror) he would be joining Newcastle. Then the Mirror announced yesterday that in fact Smith was joining Middlesbrough.
Smith is on holiday in sunny Florida right now and nothing will happen until he returns on Thursday – but if Allardyce really wants him we think the odds are in Newcastle’s favor.
Alan Smith
While Middlesbrough may have a lead on Smith over Newcastle at this moment – it is not known who Alan would want to join. However, we would hazard a guess that with Allardyce now in place as manager and English Billionaire Mike Ashley the new owner of the Magpies – Smith may look at Newcastle as a real opportunity over Middlesbrough.
The stage is being set for real success at Newcastle and Smith should be well aware of that.
Smith’s agent Alex Black tried to shed some reality on the situation yesterday:
“There is a lot of stuff going about at the moment.
“But nothing is going to be done until Alan comes back from his holiday.
“I read various reports over the weekend that he was supposed to be going to Newcastle, Portsmouth and Sunderland as well. So, we’ll have to wait and see.
“Alan (Smith) has been concerned about his future ever since United chose not to exercise a clause in his contract, which would have seen it extended by another year to 2010.
“Obviously, you’re going to have some question marks in your head as to where that leaves you. “I think if you’re definitely not wanted, you need to be told that.”
We think if Sam Allardyce really wants Smith (and that’s not too clear at this moment) – he probably has the best chance of any club to capture him. Smith would be a good utility player for the Magpies – being able to play a number of positions from holding midfielder to out and out striker.
But we must also have more defenders coming in quickly over the next couple of weeks.
Comments Welcome
8 comments so far
steve
Jun 26, 2007 at 10:17 AM
Comment #1i don’t think alan smith is worth signing. he would not displace viduka, owen or martins, and we are hardly stuck for central midfield options either with barton, butt, emre and dyer all able to play there.
even if owen or martins were to leave would smith be enough of a replacement? he is certainly not of their quality or style.
Ben Wheeler
Jun 26, 2007 at 10:29 AM
Comment #2I’d love to see Smith at Newcastle but I think boro might appeal to him more since he’d be guaranteed a starting place in his preferred position whereas he’d just be a squad player for us.
James
Jun 26, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Comment #3well its down to milner talking to his old buddy or the same for woodgate at boro one of these will clinch the deal 4 alan smith. Leeds but i think we are in the driving seat slightly because he knows dyer as well but if dyer leaves???who knows
Neil
Jun 26, 2007 at 11:44 AM
Comment #4I would like to see Alan Smith come, but only for the 3.5 mil quoted on Friday. He certainly is not needed.
Jeff
Jun 26, 2007 at 12:52 PM
Comment #5To me if smith comes it means maybe one or two of the following are leaving……owen …dyer….martins…………I hope its dyer……Smith could play just off the two strikers and can score goals unlike dyer…..he is crap and highly overated..
Ed Harrison
Jun 26, 2007 at 1:27 PM
Comment #6Jeff – I’d like to see Dyer move on – and get as much as we can for him.
craig chisholm
Jun 26, 2007 at 2:06 PM
Comment #7look lads, we dont need smith, he is a donkey, sorry but its true. what the hell is the point in getting him really??? – none, thats what. a waste of money. i agree though, i dont like dyer and think he is a constant under acheiver at our club. As for smith though, no thanks.
DZ Adams
Jun 26, 2007 at 3:27 PM
Comment #8I thought Smith would have been a great signing for Sir Bobby but arter the way he slated Rio Ferdinand for joining Man U,then snubbed us for them I think the blokes a hypocrite and would have to wonder where his hearts at Leeds or Man U,concentrate on the defence then if he’s still knocking about give him a thought.