MK Dons fan in peace.
We've seen him play, know what to expect and whatnot. Most like him some think he's cack because they're delusional so and so's expecting him to tear our League apart because he's Alan Smith but I like him, great work rate, commitment, captain like material for any club he'd be at (Captaining Newcastle at times proves this).
But my question to you'se is, was he a success? Did you appreciate him IE sticking with the club through a dreadful patch and helping you'se get back to the Premiership when (at the time) he could have probably left for a Premiership club?
It was probably the right time for him to move on, but his professionalism and his willingness to drop 2 divisions to play football again, taking a big wage cut sums the lad up to me.
Alan Smith.
posted on 9/8/12
He had 1 good season for us in his time and that was in the championship. He was on something like £60k a week until the end of his contract so for that kind of wage he was certainly not a success and he typified the kind of terrible deal the club were doing at the time. However he was key in us getting back into the prem. He and a few other of the senior lads Harper, Nolan, Barton all rallied the squad got all the lads who wanted to leave and made them feel unwelcome, forged a real team spirit. He was absolutely shocking in his appearances in the PL. Not a PL player. Hasn't been since his injury really. So he wasn't really that much of a success but he was a key figure in the turning of our fortunes more through off the field actions than on it. He was a good professional too. Good example to the rest. Most resented he was sitting on £60k for the best part of 2 years doing nothing but fair play we agreed to pay it.
posted on 9/8/12
I'd agree on him not being Premiership quality, and I remember him kinda having a bit of a 'flop tag' on him the season Allardyce and Keegan were around.
Once you'se got relegated there were numerous "Get rid of him" shouts to almost every player (From what I remember, forgive me if I'm wrong) including him, but I do remember him still attracting Premiership interest, can't quite remember who, someone like Hull I think.
So I dare say he actually owed you a good season in the Championship rather than earning it but it's easy to jump ship when things go wrong so fair play to him in that respect I dare say?
posted on 9/8/12
There were never any get rid of him shouts within the ground just the general get rid to anyone shouts at the time and yeah he is respected for his championship season but it is accepted his time in general he wasn't great. Good rapport with the fans mostly too.
posted on 9/8/12
I don't think there were any takers for him after we got relegated. If there were, he would not have stayed considering his wages. Smith, Nolan, Coloccini, Geremi, Enrique and Barton were the players that we were lumbered with at the start of 08/09 because there were no takers.
I don't mind Smith though. He signed for high wages and it turned out he wasn't that good. It wasn't his fault. He always gave his all on the pitch and helped form the players' committee, which basically started our promotion. He's a proper captain.
I think towards the end of our first season back in the Prem he realised he wasn't a Prem player, but apparently he did a lot around the training ground and with the youth players to, sort of help, justify his wages