Smith sold to Man U-what does it mean to us fans?

By Andy Baggott
May 27 2004

So, the Alan Smith transfer ‘saga’ is over. The I’s were dotted and the t’s crossed, and the bitter transfer is completed. Why has this transfer affected us fans so much?

Is it because we’ve lost a world class player? No – Smith is good player, but not in the same class as others we have lost, such as Woodgate, Ferdinand and even Kewell. Is it because he has been undervalued? Again, no. In todays market, the board have stuck to their guns, and got a good price for him. The opening offer of £3.5 was an insult, but Fergie is known for playing his transfer games. The reason, is that, with Smith going to Man Utd, it has shown, that loyalty has absoloutely no place in the game. Smith has openly declared that he would never sign for them. He was one of us, he wept on our relegation, kissed the badge, and was the fans favourite, the first name sung pre game. It worked well for him too. His record wasn’t the greatest in front of goal, averaging a goal every 4 games (albeit some were in midfield). When he went 10 games without a goal, we didn’t mind – he was one of us, and his work rate and passion alone was enough. His discipline was also a problem. The FA Cup game against Cardiff a few years ago springs to mind – his dismissal probably cost us the game, and that defeat was the beginning of the end for the club. Another match stands out for me – a pointless elbow against Aston Villa at Elland Road cost us a match we were dominating. Again, though, it was Smiffy – old smudger, one of the boys, we could forgive. <p> We’ve known for a long time that contracts mean little any more, players hold all the power. Kewell was critisised when he left last year for holding the club to ransom to get his ‘dream’ move to Liverpool, eventually netting us only £3 million, whereas we could have got £8 million elsewhere, but, it was his right – we didn’t like it, he’d cost us money, but that’s the power they have now. So what now for Smith? He should perhaps look at some of the other players that have left Elland Road in the last few years. Ferdinand is struggling to live up to his price tag, Fowler has been warming the bench for Man City, Kewell has been labelled a flop, even at £3 million, Bowyer has gone from England player to just another player. Woodgate has performed well, and carried on his form, but misses more matches than he plays, while Keane has done ok for Spurs. Bridges? Last seen trying to tie up a contract with anyone who’ll have him after his Newcastle dream failed. Nigel Martyn is about the only one who has gone on to be a success, but we always knew he would. Smith will have to go from being the blue eyed boy who could do no wrong, and the first name on the team sheet, to a player who will struggle to win round the Reds fans, and spending more time on the bench than he’s used to. It will be tough for the 23 year old. He’s gone now from Leeds. Originally, I was in denial, when the transfer was first mentioned – no way would he go there. When it looked like he would, I went from amazed to downright anger. Now? I couldn’t careless to be honest. Leeds are my club, he’s just another player as far as I’m concerned, I’ve got enough to worry about with Leeds without wasting energy on someone who quite obviously, despite all his badge kisses, doesn’t care one iota about us