George Smith

Redarmychris full of ****

 

TBF If I was 19 and part of the worst run since 1950 something, I'd bescared of making a mistake too!

 

I stand by every word I said in your thread about him a couple of days ago. It's apparent you don't rate the lad, which is fair enough, but some of us do.
http://bbs.barnsleyfc.org.uk/showthread.php?235082-George-Smith
It's simply a difference of opinion. However, you claimed you weren't trolling yet you've posted quite a number of times that not only don't you rate him, but you now worry that other fans don't share your view. We're entitled to do that as far as I'm aware and I'm certainly not going to apologise for rating and backing one of our young players.
You have every right to express your views on George Smith, that's what this forum is all about after all. I respect them, even if I totally disagree, without questioning your footballing knowledge. It'd be nice if you could reciprocate.

 

Smith is decent, so leave him be


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I agree that he could do with competition, a older wiser head to help him develop his game.


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Very poor tonight and as been for weeks.

No pace, passes backwards all time and very one footed. There was a spell in the game where nobody was passing to him and he got abit frustrated, serves him reyt cos it would have only gone back to Nyatanga.

 

IMHO he's been one of our most consistent performers this season and hasn't let us down. There's been some truly terrible performances from some of our players and mistakes galore from others which have cost us goals. George Smith has been steady away, working hard every week and doing his job. Nothing spectacular, but solid. If we'd got half a dozen in the team doing the same we wouldn't be setting the league alight, we wouldn't be top of the league, but we wouldn't be in the bottom 4. If we'd got half a dozen in the side putting in solid performances like George Smith, week in, week out, plus 2 or 3 performing like Hammill did last night then we could trouble the top end of the league.

Smith dipped below his usual form last night. He could probably do with a rest. I would imagine that at only 19 and a kid who has developed through our academy, the last couple of months have been very tough on him, although, until last night, he hasn't shown it. We do need another left back. But we don't need one to permanently replace Smith. We need one to offer competition. We need one with a bit more experience who Smith can learn from.

 

That's right, get behind him.

 

He was poor today but there were a couple of contributing factors, no one helping him defend against two pacy players, doesn't have the speed to match them, lack of options down the channel cos hammill drifts inside, lack of confidence given our recent form and lack of experience.

Smiffy is the least of my concerns in that back four.

My first is mawson.

 

100% in agreement with you, Fired.

 

I do respect others views on Smith.

I want him to be brilliant myself.

I just worry that fans are accepting poor performances blinded by the fact he's a Barnsley lad.

I honestly think if we got a new manager in he'd pick Smith out as the weak link almost straight away.

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As with the vast majority of young, inexperienced players, Smith's performances have fluctuated. A kid just starting his career WILL make mistakes. But that's where you'd expect his more experienced colleagues & management to help and advise him. During any period of loss of form, encouragement, tolerance & patience from them and fans can reap long term benefits far more than extreme and/or persistent criticism. Smith has a number of admirers, including myself, who believe he's doing fine, whilst also accepting he (like all players) has areas of his game he can improve on.
I am not blinded by anything, any more than you.

 

I like the kid, don't think he's done much wrong at all this season, had some good games, some not so good, mostly ok. Got to remember his age.

 

Too many times last night, in the second half, we had four or five players in a line across the York back-line. Smith looks to play the ball forward but there is only a percentage ball on, knocked into the channel or dropping between the York defenders and keeper, both easily defended. Smith chooses, rightly, to keep possession rather than punt a hopeful ball where the target area for success is so small.
He's better defending than attacking whereas Wabara is better attacking than defending. Why not pour your bile onto Wabara?
I agree that Smith is in need of a rest, but risking Templeton, on the run we are currently in, could prove to be worse than persevering with Smith.

 

If we look at the facts, Smith was poor last night. A lot of people criticized Tom Kennedy for playing the same way. However I think he has developed well but has a lot more to go. Given the number of games he plays I would expect his confidence to be good and to have stepped up a bit more. I know the coaching team are working on his weaknesses because I have watched them 1 on 1 coach crossing, headers and working with the ball at his feet. He will improve more but I think he has plateaued a bit. Not because he is no good. But a young player needs more than just games and daily training. He now needs mentoring and some competition for his place. He has neither. This to me is the fundamental issue. I think he needs a rest and an older head to talk to him on the pitch. Its hard to do this right now. This isn't because he isn't any good but this is how he needs to be developed and is a fundamental process that any top coach will support.

 

So you think that passing a safe ball sideways or backwards when no one is showing for the ball is bad?

Do I take it you want to see him humping the ball forward every opportunity in blind faith to our single striker?

I played full back and have coaching quals. With that in mind I have a natural tendency to focus on the defensive qualities of players particularly full backs.

Trust me for an 18 year old playing at this level the lad is doing just fine and from our poor squad of players he looks to be our best option in that position.

 

He also needs time to mature for the mental side of his development to kick in, for it all to be natural to him. That only comes with experience and age.

 

After a shakey start he already looks very good

 

Weren't our worst defender last night, Mawson had a shocker