saint peach Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Some of you may remember that in the fateful 2008/09 season we had a lad called Ryan Smith on the wing. Ryan is now plying his trade in the States and seems to be doing pretty well out there. I have an interview with him this evening and was wondering whether you guys had any questions for him?
saintscottofthenortham Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Did the squad think The Dutch Experiment was actually a Jamie Kennedy Experiment?
Saint Garrett Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Ryan Smith....the one as good as Robben !?
saint peach Posted 26 January, 2011 Author Posted 26 January, 2011 Ryan Smith....the one as good as Robben !? Wasn't that Lee Holmes?
Colinjb Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Q: Did the team at the time actually think for a second that the dutch experiment had a chance of working? Q: Raspberry Ripple or Mint Choc Chip? Q: How was Rupert Lowe as a boss?
georgeweahscousin Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Someone I thought was massively underrated by a lot of fans, and was often made the scapegoat for crap team performance. I was disappointed we didn't keep him on.
Colinjb Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Someone I thought was massively underrated by a lot of fans, and was often made the scapegoat for crap team performance. I was disappointed we didn't keep him on. I actually agree. He showed some good moments but was always slated.... I just didn't understand it.
SuperMikey Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 He was decent against Man Utd in the cup that season actually, one of the players that had good games but were always underpinned by awful ones. That's the nature of a winger though, it's hard to be consistent.
Hopkins Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Can you ask him if the highlight of his career is nutmegging and putting John O'Shea on his arse in the cup match a couple of years ago.
capitalsaint Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 I actually agree. He showed some good moments but was always slated.... I just didn't understand it. I also agree. It shows how much I know about football, I thought he was one of the few players who would take the man on.
Stu Man Do Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Ask him if in retrospect he feels the move to saints under the dutch clowns was a good or bad thing for his career and would he sign for us again in a similar situation?
Turkish Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 He was decent against Man Utd in the cup that season actually, one of the players that had good games but were always underpinned by awful ones. That's the nature of a winger though, it's hard to be consistent. So got exactly the same treatment as Jason Puncheon then, FFS.
Turkish Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 I also agree. It shows how much I know about football, I thought he was one of the few players who would take the man on. Indeed, it does show how much you know about football that you thought he was okay and didn't just get on his back because he wasn't as good as Messi every week like most did.
cellone Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Wasn't he over hyped by the club when he came here, a class above, next Robben, world beater etc. Hard to live up to the kind of fanfare comming out of what was the sms circus.
jasoneuelllfanclub Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Ask him how he felt being labelled a world class player by the dutch no hopers
Redondo Saint Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Some of you may remember that in the fateful 2008/09 season we had a lad called Ryan Smith on the wing. Ryan is now plying his trade in the States and seems to be doing pretty well out there. I have an interview with him this evening and was wondering whether you guys had any questions for him? Who is he playing for?
saint peach Posted 26 January, 2011 Author Posted 26 January, 2011 He is playing for Sporting Kansas City, formerly known as Kansas City Wizards.
Colinjb Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Ask him how he felt being labelled a world class player by the dutch no hopers Did they actually say that? Where the hell did this 'world class' thing come from?
shurlock Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Someone I thought was massively underrated by a lot of fans, and was often made the scapegoat for crap team performance. I was disappointed we didn't keep him on. Agree as well - take the united game. he's the only one who created a chance against them dribbling around a couple of players and getting behind their defence; but people only remember him ballooning his shot.
Redondo Saint Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 He is playing for Sporting Kansas City, formerly known as Kansas City Wizards. Oh dear! At least there will not be much to distract him from his football.
the wedge Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 He only left because of a large falling out and a questionable at best attitude. One of the few in the know stories I have.
cellone Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 He is playing for Sporting Kansas City, formerly known as Kansas City Wizards. Ask him if ruby red boots are a no no, or all the rage.
lethallee Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Yeah I remember when Wotte said Ryan Smith had potential to be world class. A joke statement made by a joke of a manager. Ryan Smith was hopeless for Saints. He had such little belief in his own ability it was untrue. Glad to see back of him personally.
saint peach Posted 26 January, 2011 Author Posted 26 January, 2011 (edited) Just spent 10 minutes on the phone to Ryan. Seemed liked a nice enough lad but was like getting blood out of a stone. Pressed him on the Saints issues but refused to buckle too much. Will post quotes on his Southampton experience tomorrow. Edited 26 January, 2011 by saint peach
Lighthouse Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Indeed, it does show how much you know about football that you thought he was okay and didn't just get on his back because he wasn't as good as Messi every week like most did. You paint a very romantic picture of all Saints fans being drunken hillbillies who want a player stoned to death because "he wasn't as good as Messi every week". Why can't you just accept that a lot of players who have played for Saints recently have been crap and/or had a sh*t attitude. The reality is the Smith was crap. A few tricks and clever touches punctuated some absolutely woeful performances and weren't enough to fool most people into thinking he was good. He wasn't booed or taunted by Saints fans, but we can hardly be blamed for noticing he wasn't very good. There aren't many "okay" players who get released on a free after less than a year at Leicester, Derby, Millwall, Saints and Crystal Palace, then end up playing their trade at Sporting feckin' Kansas.
Colinjb Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 The reality is the Smith was crap. A few tricks and clever touches punctuated some absolutely woeful performances and weren't enough to fool most people into thinking he was good. He wasn't booed or taunted by Saints fans, but we can hardly be blamed for noticing he wasn't very good. There aren't many "okay" players who get released on a free after less than a year at Leicester, Derby, Millwall, Saints and Crystal Palace, then end up playing their trade at Sporting feckin' Kansas. I'm sorry, but Smith was ok. He simply had the missfortune of not being one of our academy lads in an awful team. Smith was a scapegoat, not a great player by any means but certainly not the worst that year. Sadly, in a side inhabited by unprepared academy players who at the least had our sympathy he was a scapegoat. He tried but failed. That is not his fault. It's the manager's and chairman who signed him.
benjii Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Someone I thought was massively underrated by a lot of fans, and was often made the scapegoat for crap team performance. I was disappointed we didn't keep him on. For some reason Jan the Man would only play him in the right. It's clear he has serious natural ability.
Colinjb Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Another woeful player who was so obviously woeful that it became unacceptable to point out he was woeful as the mass acceptance of his woefullness was yet again deemed scapegoating. I'm confused as it comes up so often. Can we conclude - There are NO bad footballers, only scapegoats? Hmmm. I saw him cost us several goals by getting caught in possession. Dawdled on the ball, easily tackled, terrible passing, zero tracking back and awful crossing. BUT just enough skill and attempts at beating the man that he managed to convince a few with poor eyes, poor attention or poor memories that he might actually be alright. Doing alright in the states? So did Paul dalgleish. Oliver Lancashire was a worse player. Why didn't we turn on him?
Colinjb Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 This thread is mental. A millwall friend laughed when we took him saying he was one of the worst players they'd had. Then a place supporting friend thought he might be alright, and got a nasty shock when seeing him play. He never made it at any English club and I'll be amazed if he ever did. As for being out of position, no. He's a right winger who likes to cut inside, that was his game. People are obsessed with this simplistic notion of stick him left wing and he'll be better. Players don't change their whole game like that. Same reason Fernandes was **** left wing and good right wing, he loved cutting in. On the left he couldn't play his game, was unnaturally forced to stay down the line and didn't like it. He's more versatile but Lallana too is better from the left because he likes to face play and run in from wide, rather than playing wide right and getting down the line. Note: I'm comparing smith in style and definitely not quality. He's not fit to even make tea for the man who cleans their boots. Good points well made. We were utter dogsh*t while he played for us. A better team might have been able to carry him but there was nowhere to hide with us. He is a limited player of limited ability but did not deserve the sh*t he received from our fanbase.
Saint_clark Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 I actually quite liked him. Would be a good player at League One level.
S-Clarke Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 I thought he was one of our better players when we actually played Utd in 09..... but as has been said it was hard for anyone to look decent in our setup back then.
Jonnyboy Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Agree as well - take the united game. he's the only one who created a chance against them dribbling around a couple of players and getting behind their defence; but people only remember him ballooning his shot. I was trying to remember who that was. highlight of the match.
Colinjb Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 I actually quite liked him. Would be a good player at League One level. Dare I say he would be good as an option on the bench right now?
JRM Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Adrian is right, he was dreadful verging on embarrassingly so, think I was at every game he played and he was a liability in almost every one
Lighthouse Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 I'm sorry, but Smith was ok. He simply had the missfortune of not being one of our academy lads in an awful team. Smith was a scapegoat, not a great player by any means but certainly not the worst that year. Sadly, in a side inhabited by unprepared academy players who at the least had our sympathy he was a scapegoat. He tried but failed. That is not his fault. It's the manager's and chairman who signed him. I can't speak for others, but I've never scapegoated anyone and I have nothing personal against any player. Actually that's not quite true (Kenwyne Jones, Berkovic, Bagpuss etc) but I have nothing against Smith. That doesn't stop me thinking Smith is a terrible footballer. You don't get relegated from a very average football league without quite a few bad players. Smith was terrible James was terrible Lancashire was terrible Euell was terrible Molly was terrible BWP was terrible Lallana and Morgan were skeletons of the players they are now. Another woeful player who was so obviously woeful that it became unacceptable to point out he was woeful as the mass acceptance of his woefullness was yet again deemed scapegoating. I'm confused as it comes up so often. Can we conclude - There are NO bad footballers, only scapegoats? Hmmm. I saw him cost us several goals by getting caught in possession. Dawdled on the ball, easily tackled, terrible passing, zero tracking back and awful crossing. BUT just enough skill and attempts at beating the man that he managed to convince a few with poor eyes, poor attention or poor memories that he might actually be alright. Doing alright in the states? So did Paul dalgleish. Bag of nails hit on head. Hammertime! Oliver Lancashire was a worse player. Why didn't we turn on him? I'd say "as bad" and I do remember hin getting a fair bit of stick.
JRM Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Dare I say he would be good as an option on the bench right now? F&ck sake NO NO NO. absence may make the heart grow fonder but I think you need your memory testing, or maybe you are confusing him with someone else
Saint_clark Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 Don't forget he had the likes of David McGoldrick and Tomas Pekhart to aim for in the centre.
Colinjb Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 F&ck sake NO NO NO. absence may make the heart grow fonder but I think you need your memory testing, or maybe you are confusing him with someone else The Ryan Smith I saw away at St Andrews that year and against Man Utd would do a job for us right now. Would need to be at the top of his game mind.
benjii Posted 26 January, 2011 Posted 26 January, 2011 This thread is mental. A millwall friend laughed when we took him saying he was one of the worst players they'd had. Then a place supporting friend thought he might be alright, and got a nasty shock when seeing him play. He never made it at any English club and I'll be amazed if he ever did. As for being out of position, no. He's a right winger who likes to cut inside, that was his game. People are obsessed with this simplistic notion of stick him left wing and he'll be better. Players don't change their whole game like that. Same reason Fernandes was **** left wing and good right wing, he loved cutting in. On the left he couldn't play his game, was unnaturally forced to stay down the line and didn't like it. He's more versatile but Lallana too is better from the left because he likes to face play and run in from wide, rather than playing wide right and getting down the line. Note: I'm comparing smith in style and definitely not quality. He's not fit to even make tea for the man who cleans their boots. His style was nothing like Lallana's or Fernandes' you cack headed dinlo.
Lets B Avenue Posted 27 January, 2011 Posted 27 January, 2011 I saw him and the fact that he made Lloyd James look good puts him squarely in the sh it category. As for Lancashire. Never on the pitch long enough to get stick, before he got sent off.
Turkish Posted 27 January, 2011 Posted 27 January, 2011 You paint a very romantic picture of all Saints fans being drunken hillbillies who want a player stoned to death because "he wasn't as good as Messi every week". Why can't you just accept that a lot of players who have played for Saints recently have been crap and/or had a sh*t attitude. The reality is the Smith was crap. A few tricks and clever touches punctuated some absolutely woeful performances and weren't enough to fool most people into thinking he was good. He wasn't booed or taunted by Saints fans, but we can hardly be blamed for noticing he wasn't very good. There aren't many "okay" players who get released on a free after less than a year at Leicester, Derby, Millwall, Saints and Crystal Palace, then end up playing their trade at Sporting feckin' Kansas. I can accept it, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Lee Molyneux, Saganowski when permenant, were utter sh*t for us, i could go on as there have been many others. But what do you expect from a young kid coming into a sh*t team available on a free signing? They are not a free because they are a brilliant player who would set the league alight are they. A lot of decent players would struggle under that management playing in that team. He wasn't great but not as bad as a lot are making out. Certainly no worse than some of the other players we had at that time.
eurosaint Posted 27 January, 2011 Posted 27 January, 2011 Ask him if he liked the nickname 'bambi' and if it took a stiff breeze to knock him over or just heavy breathing ???
Lighthouse Posted 27 January, 2011 Posted 27 January, 2011 I can accept it, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Lee Molyneux, Saganowski when permenant, were utter sh*t for us, i could go on as there have been many others. But what do you expect from a young kid coming into a sh*t team available on a free signing? They are not a free because they are a brilliant player who would set the league alight are they. A lot of decent players would struggle under that management playing in that team. He wasn't great but not as bad as a lot are making out. Certainly no worse than some of the other players we had at that time. Yes he was young, he was playing in a sh*t team, badly managed and signed on a free. In spite of all these excuses, he was still gash. FWIW I'd actually class Saganowski as being 'very average' that season along with Surman, DMG, Skacel, Wotton and Lallana. Not good, but not as awful as some of the others. Kelvin, Cork and Size are the only players I'd actually say were any good that season, but certainly not Smith.
lambertsrightleg Posted 27 January, 2011 Posted 27 January, 2011 I always tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. However, Watford away that season he got into so many good postions and then just seemed to confuse himself and more often than not got tackled rather than just delivering the ball. I've never been so frustrated at one single player than i was that night. He is awful. End of
Turkish Posted 27 January, 2011 Posted 27 January, 2011 Yes he was young, he was playing in a sh*t team, badly managed and signed on a free. In spite of all these excuses, he was still gash. FWIW I'd actually class Saganowski as being 'very average' that season along with Surman, DMG, Skacel, Wotton and Lallana. Not good, but not as awful as some of the others. Kelvin, Cork and Size are the only players I'd actually say were any good that season, but certainly not Smith. Take any young player, put them in a **** team with a clueless manager and you are setting them up to fail. It would take an exceptional young player to shine under those circumstances, not one available for nowt. I didn't say he was good and i am not saying he was outstanding for us and unfaily treated by the whole of SMS, i just dont feel he was as bad as some make out. Another victim of the lower league whipping boy mentality some of our fans have towards creative type players at this level. Puncheon and Gully have had it thi season. They dont beat three players and making defence splitting paces every time they get the ball, because guess what, if they did that they wouldn't be playing in league one. But if a player of this type does nothing for 89 minutes and set up a goal or score every game then the other 89 minutes doesn't matter IMO.
Lets B Avenue Posted 27 January, 2011 Posted 27 January, 2011 You are quite right about that. But Ryan Smith was really cr ap. Not just here, but everywhere else.
Cricketphilly Posted 27 January, 2011 Posted 27 January, 2011 I don't remember him, I think i'm pleased with this.
Marsdinho Posted 27 January, 2011 Posted 27 January, 2011 Some of you may remember that in the fateful 2008/09 season we had a lad called Ryan Smith on the wing. Ryan is now plying his trade in the States and seems to be doing pretty well out there. I have an interview with him this evening and was wondering whether you guys had any questions for him? Ask him if in retrospect he feels the move to saints under the dutch clowns was a good or bad thing for his career and would he sign for us again in a similar situation? I would say bad.
SFCDan Posted 27 January, 2011 Posted 27 January, 2011 He was crap. You can give it all you like about coming into a young team with window licker managers etc but he's been crap for every other team he's played for too.
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