saints sign smith

[doughnutman]

according to: http://www.millwall-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=410321

 

The 22-year-old, who recently had an unsuccessful trial with NEC Nijmegen, has fallen down the pecking order at The Den after failing impress boss Kenny Jackett.

 

maybe his time in Holland bought him to the attention of the dutch duo? The article also says that the move is expected to be made permanent in January. I'd personally rather see us sign Gerrard than buy another winger.

[Gully]

I'll ask again, is he a right or a left winger?

 

From what i've seen he plays mostly on the left.

[Sheff Saint]

One of the most random signings in a long while i reckon.

 

Not complaining, just think it's er, random.

 

Still, at least Jan's got a bit of youth in. I've thought we were lacking something this season...!

[SaintDonkey]

From that FA article I posted the link to...

 

One to Watch - Ryan Smith

 

Despite being closely policed throughout, Arsenal winger Ryan Smith was the class act last night.

 

His speed of thought and movement made him a constant handful for the Preston defence.

 

Sometimes the ball seemed to be attached to that tremendous left foot as he sprinted into the danger areas and Preston could only stop his progress with fouls.

 

His skill on the ball in tight situations was remarkable from a player who has represented England at Under-17 level and played for Arsenal in the Carling Cup.

 

If he can recapture that promise he could be perfect while Holmes is out.

[dubai_phil]

From that FA article I posted the link to...

 

 

 

If he can recapture that promise he could be perfect while Holmes is out.

 

Precisely my thoughts. Holmes has a serious knee injury. We had another player with one of those some years ago, not saying it is the same but a wise man takes precautions and cover

[trousers]

Have been told by someone in a position to know, that despite the denials from the club, Skacel is on big appearance money, hence his non appearance thus far and the loan of this kid.

 

Will Fulthopre & Co keep him on? (given money won't be (as much of) an issue, in theory)

[derry]

Ben Reeves played left back for the reserves and was marking Ryan Smith.

[slogger]

i'll wait till i see at conventry before i start passing judgement

 

sister maria is playing right wing for coventry.

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Good luck to the fella; all the reports seem to point towards a talented player who hasn't yet made his mark somewhere. Let's hope it happens for him here!

[saintrich]

then wouldn't he waiver this fee to do so??

 

 

 

Rudi likes to wave.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

Looks a sensible signing.

With the 1-2-1 up front, not having natural wide players causes problems the shape goes wrong as well as problems in getting the ball in the box as well as the whole covering back thing. DMG & BWP really aren't wingers so this seems cover while Holmes recovers.

 

For a club who's finances are melting down we keep bringing more youngsters into the squad.....

 

 

Someone has already taken the words out of my mouth - I was about to say he'll probably have an attitude problem and/or is coming back from injury - and we do so like lightweight players. But I guess he'll be on low(ish) wages.

 

Lets hope he's not just another Dyer-type.

[Saints67]

If Smith turns out to be the same sort of player that Holmes has turned out to be then this will be a great signing. Maybe Holmes' injury is worse than first thought?

[eelpie]

This is getting ridiculous now signing all these players. Where are the defenders? If llyod james gets injured or matt mills then we are pretty screwed

 

or Kelvin

[positivepete]

Ben Reeves played left back for the reserves and was marking Ryan Smith.

 

From the report on the reserve game........

 

We also defended well across the back four and particularly Ben Reeves who had to deal with the former-Arsenal and England Under-19 winger Ryan Smith.

 

Thought at the time I read it that it was unusual for a report on a reserve game to single out an opposition player

[Saint Martini]

or Kelvin

 

Forecast? An emergency loan?

[Scummer]

and rudi, i know he doesn't have to, but if he really want to play, either for his career here or to get a move, then wouldn't he waiver this fee to do so?? i know i would.

 

I wouldn't expect Rudi to do this, but it goes to show that if you really want to play, money doesn't come into it:

 

Etxeberria signs to play for free

[Weston Super Saint]

Could be a good loan but I do not understand why he has been loaned after only a short time with Millwall

 

He's probably got a broken foot or something.

[Bad Wolf]

My grandad's a Millwall fan- reckons he's actually quite a good player

[krissyboy31]

He's probably got a broken foot or something.

 

That wouldn't be anything new. I guess that is why on the takeover thread, the first position to be filled is head of medical.

[Marsdinho]

Sounds like he's a bit of a 'Saga', plays well when he first goes somewhere and then drops off.

 

That fact thats he's only 19 yet been shipped around may suggest he has a bit of an attitude problem.

 

Probably thinks he's jonny big bo11ocks

[OldNick]

do you think that the club are trying to do something similar to what GH is doing in his acadamy.Finding players who were likely to be top players but lost their way and might mature later?

[Weston Super Saint]

do you think that the club are trying to do something similar to what GH is doing in his acadamy.Finding players who were likely to be top players but lost their way and might mature later?

 

Because we need to gamble more on our players

[Chez]

I remember seeing him a couple of times for Leicester against us in the 05/06 season. I think he played in the FA Cup game at their place when KJ scored at the death. At that time he had a great reputation and was seen as another great player off the Arsenal youth development conveyor belt. I think he had some decent early games for Leicester, but he didn't really shine in the games against us and he faded for them in the end.

 

He is clearly going to play left wing. Having tried Dyer, BWP and Robertson in that position and all have failed to impress, Jan clearly thinks we need someone else. A little strange seeing as we have Surman who could play there (with Gillett dropping into the centre) and especially Skacel who might flourish in a role that didn't require him to get up and down for 90 minutes.

 

I wish him all the best and hope he enjoys himself here. Hopefully he is keen to impress.

[Chez]

do you think that the club are trying to do something similar to what GH is doing in his acadamy.Finding players who were likely to be top players but lost their way and might mature later?

 

Holmes, Robertson and now Smith. It certainly looks like they are offering second chances to a few talented players. We have little choice but to go for young potential as they demand much smaller wages compared to established seasoned pros.

[Gis]

Good link on him

 

http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/the-sad-story-of-ryan-smith/

[Junior Mullet]

Quick and skilful left-footed winger/forward. He should fit in very well with our formation and style of play. Concerned a bit about his attitude but if we can get that in check I reckon we will all be very happy.

 

Will be a massive improvement on on BWP on the left wing and will give us options when Holmes is fit again.

[hypochondriac]

Dont worry, they're coming.

 

Can we get any more loans in?

[saint_ed]

He's a good player with pace and good technique. Looking forward to seeing him, however I do fear for our defensive depth.

[Junior Mullet]

Sod the D-fence, I love our attacking focus.

 

Anyhow, under total football anyone can play D-fence if asked to. Hell, give me a week at Staplewood and I'll be good to go....

[OldNick]

Because we need to gamble more on our players

and what is wrong in re igniting talent that may be lost to football. We are not in the position to afford players who have developed well and if a few turn out I say well done to the club.On the other hand there will always be those so poisoned to to new ideas that they would be modern day Luddites.

[a1ex2001]

One of the most random signings in a long while i reckon.

 

Not complaining, just think it's er, random.

 

Reminds me of the good old days when we had at least one totally random signing a season, think Frederico "The Torpedo" Arias or Andrei Kanchelskis!

 

PS I hope he performs better than both of those did in a saints shirt, I still can't believe old Andrei got Matty's shirt!

[corsacar saint]

For a club that is skint, this will be another few thousand added the wage bill, but what

the heck.

[SaintDonkey]

For a club that is skint, this will be another few thousand added the wage bill, but what

the heck.

 

I'd guess Dyer was on relatively high wages - one out two in?

[stevegrant]

I'd guess Dyer was on relatively high wages - one out two in?

Dyer was reportedly on £5k a week, and I'd be stunned if Robertson and Smith are on even half that between them.

[Weston Super Saint]

and what is wrong in re igniting talent that may be lost to football. We are not in the position to afford players who have developed well and if a few turn out I say well done to the club.On the other hand there will always be those so poisoned to to new ideas that they would be modern day Luddites.

 

You could also argue - because the club are constantly telling us - that we can't afford to gamble on a player that constantly moves clubs without proving himself, even if it is only his wages we are paying....

[Colinjb]

If we can re-invogorate Lee Holmes then why not Ryan Smith?

 

Best of luck to the lad.

[Stu Man Do]

Could be a good loan but I do not understand why he has been loaned after only a short time with Millwall

 

Having just had a gander on the Millwall OS they say he has hardly featured this year due to the form of their other wingers. Seems to suggest they weren't that fussed about losing him. Hope he does well here =]

[AndyNorthernSaints]

When was the last time Saints signed a player who was a regular first teamer for their previous club? must be a while ago? Phillips and Niemi spring to mind but struggling to think of anyone else recently?

[Dicko]

When was the last time Saints signed a player who was a regular first teamer for their previous club? must be a while ago? Phillips and Niemi spring to mind but struggling to think of anyone else recently?

 

 

I think Kenwyne was a regular starter for W Connection

[Saint Martini]

When was the last time Saints signed a player who was a regular first teamer for their previous club? must be a while ago? Phillips and Niemi spring to mind but struggling to think of anyone else recently?

 

Skacel

[positivepete]

this means we now potentially have Holmes, Surman, Skacel, Gasmi, and Smith that can fit in the left sided role, before we add the right footed players that have played there so far. Does it mean Gasmi is out for longer than expected, I assume that Smith will go back when Holmes is fit unless he does well

[trousers]

Skacel

 

I was toying with the idea of asking in a faux surprise fashion as to whether we'd signed him yet...but thought better of it, as is no longer big and no longer clever to do so....let alone being amusing.....so I won't

[Saint Martini]

this means we now potentially have Holmes, Surman, Skacel, Gasmi, and Smith that can fit in the left sided role, before we add the right footed players that have played there so far. Does it mean Gasmi is out for longer than expected, I assume that Smith will go back when Holmes is fit unless he does well

 

I think Gashmi was almays meant to be backup for Lallana? And Surman, although he can play out wide is not a winger (or a full/wingback), he's a leftfooted centralmidfielder. So that left us with Holmes and Skacel as specialists for that position and for some reason (it doesn't really matter if its appearence fees or bad attitude) Skacel is not an option for Poortvliet. In short it means we currently have one specialist for the position and he happens to be out for a while.

 

I was toying with the idea of asking in a faux surprise fashion as to whether we'd signed him yet...but thought better of it, as is no longer big and no longer clever to do so....let alone being amusing.....so I won't

 

I admire your restraint.

Edited 3 October, 2008 by Saint Martini
Has Skacel signed yet? ;)

[saints-cris]

Seen him a few times.. he's useful.. good bit of pace about him.

[Toomer]

Did not know the score on Tues till I got the paper Weds morning the first thing I thought, who the feck is this Robertson bloke. Mind you two wins, six points, four goals for none against, good reason to go away on hols more often. I thought at first we had re-signed Paul Smith:rolleyes:

[saint lard]

Rather of had Keith Gillespie,from Sheff Utd,if we had to have another wide midfielder,free to leave UTD,sorry forgot ..we are skint

[wightman35]

Although many posters on TSF seemto want Skacel back, JP was, I believe, quoted ages ago to the effect that Rudi was not in his plans and unless RL/MW have suddenly found a goldmine I can't see that changing. The fact that he would not sign for Ipswich and earn us c £1million will have hardly endeared him to the owners/management if true.

[saint boggy]

Can't say i have heard of him.

same goes for 99% of our first team!!!

[landford.saint]

Watched the reserves Wednesday, and both the wife and I thought he was Millwalls best player. Quite quick and, yes, a left winger.

[simo]

Do you think it's a coincidence that we have adopted the same policy that hoddle has in his "Academy"? http://www.glennhoddleacademy.com/introduction.html