Smith: We went down as a team, we go up as a team - United!
By Tyne-Talk
April 8 2010
Alan Smith has spoken about the difficulties he and his team-mates faced in order to prove the critics wrong and go from relegation to promotion within one season. Unlike many teams who go down and stay down, Newcastle have comfortably secured promotion with several games to go, but when they were relegated last season many predicted that was just the beginning of their problems.
He told The Journal;
"I've loved this season.
Anybody who came back to this club in the summer, they had to be committed, they had to want to play in this league. We knew that and we have shown that. There are a lot of good players and proud people in this league and we have needed every player to play their part.
What we have seen is a team that is together and united, that wants to do well for each other.
Football now isn't about big egos and individuals. We went down as a team, Newcastle United, and we go back up as a team which is more united. It's full credit to everyone involved - a lot of people have put in a lot of effort to get us up.
We knew the size of the task we had at the start of the season and we knew how difficult it would be. Every team we have played against has raised their game against us, it has been the game they want to win more than any other."
Looking ahead at next season he added;
"I don't think we will have as much pressure on us next season as we have done this. Although the only pressure that counts is what you put on yourself.
We know the standards we should set and the standards we have set this season. We are probably going to have to go away in the summer and come back 20% better, fitter and stronger. That's the thing. To survive in the Premier League, we are going to have to be better.
This isn't a league which is easy by any stretch of the imagination. People didn't think it was going to be easy for us at the start of the season when they said we didn't have the players who would apply themselves properly.
The application we have shown has been the main reason we're back in the Premier League. There have been no big egos all season - and that's what we wanted."
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Smith is the one for me who is a gamble, this season he has been great but recently has lost his place to Guthrie, who looks like he will be good enough and at a age where he can only improve. Smith looks like you could be off the pace and if a bid came in I would flog him.
Hopefully the toon can keep the spirit that they have shown this year and take it in the premiership, and if we do I think with a couple of signings we could shock a few
I would accept a decent bid for Smith but on the whole I would keep him for at least next season. We need two players for every position and If Guthrie continues to impress and improve then him and Smith can be the two for the holding role. Suppose they are a bit of a contrast to each other which could also give us more options.
Smith has impressed me this season and is worth a punt. There are teams who we will be battling with next season who have as slow/slower kids in the middle than Smith. Hull with Boatang and Stoke with a few like Whitehead.
Quote:Biffins Bridge
I would accept a decent bid for Smith but on the whole I would keep him for at least next season. We need two players for every position and If Guthrie continues to impress and improve then him and Smith can be the two for the holding role. Suppose they are a bit of a contrast to each other which could also give us more options.
The problem for me is that I see Guthrie, Smith, and Barton all fighting for the same slot. Of the three, I'll throw my hat in with Guthrie, who has been spectacular the last two months. Barton vs. Smith is debatable. Smith is a warrior, while Barton looks more comfortable on the ball. Ultimately, I don't think we can afford to keep all 3, Guthrie shouldn't be sold, and we'll likely see more offers for Smith than Barton.
If, however, Joey gets a run in the side now and does well he may pique the interest of a few clubs.
I think most have the same view that if decent bids came in then either/both would be sold. Thing is will any decent bids come in or is it just a case of getting them off the wage bill.
does chris hughton want smith or barton, or both, or neither? i'm happy with whatever he thinks, to be quite honest here
Quote:lostmekeys
does chris hughton want smith or barton, or both, or neither? i'm happy with whatever he thinks, to be quite honest here
He's stated repeatedly that Barton has a role to play next year, and that Smudge is his captain; however, neither are getting any starts right now, because Guthrie has been too good. I think he wants to keep both, as he understands we need more depth, but he will inevitably have to settle for one or the other.
