Smith 'expected' to sign for us this week

[Melbourne Blade]

'According' to London Evening Standard online... apparently Watford now rejected Reading's offer (equal to ours) but he's still off anyway?!

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/stand...icle-23736019-details/article.do?ito=newsnow&

"WATFORD striker Tommy Smith is expected to join Sheffield United this week.

The Vicarage Road club have accepted a £1.8million bid for Smith, who scored in the 2-2 draw with Blackpool on Saturday".

 

[moDtheGod]

I'd honestly rather we didn't bother. If we're looking at central midfield, I'd rather we didn't sign another midget. If we're looking up top, I don't think he's the answer. We don't need any more wide players.

What's his best position anyway? Are we looking at him because he can do that "in the hole" job, so when we go 4-4-1-1? He'll just be another Paul Shaw!

 

[Elsecar_Blade]

He'd be perfect for playing 'in the hole' behind Henderson away from home with a mix of Ward/Cotts/Treacy/Evans in the wider roles and Monty/Quinn behind him. Much better option than Howard. I can see how he fits in away. I'd question what his role at the Lane would be when we go 442.

 

[dingledog]

Can't imagine it happening, but what do I know, just look where I am in the predictions league, which in my humble opinion must be fixed.

 

[Bladesway]

If it happens great. Top player who would strengthen our attacking midfield options.

 

[jodman]

This is a bit odd given that the player wants to join Reading and they have offerred the same deal; there is obviously some ill feeling between the two clubs since Rodgers switched.

Personally i think the price being quoted is a bit on the high side but he has undoubted quality at this level.

 

[cooperblade]

Ian Holloway said at the weekend that Smith was 'Premiership class'. He's Premiership price as well unfortunately.

If Cotts isn't going to play, I wonder if Smith would be a better option on the right allowing Ward to play up front?

 

[Ollessendro]

Was talking to a Watford season ticket holder who is a mate of mine on Saturday night. He really rates Smith. Reckons he was the stand out player on Saturday and says he would be sorry to see him go.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

If Cotts isn't going to play, I wonder if Smith would be a better option on the right allowing Ward to play up front?

Treacy has a pretty bad injury record and it doesn't bode well for him after Saturday so Smith could easily take his place on the left. Cotts also did himself no harm on Saturday but I'm still not sure KB knows his best line-up / system and I think Smith could confuse things even more.

 

[Deleted member 1486]

I think he'd be a good signing. Watford's player of the season for the past 2 years and scored (from the right wing, I think?) 1 less goal than Kevin Doyle last season and scored more league goals than Hulse, Earnshaw, Kevin Phillips. I bet if we'd signed any of those players people would be buzzing!

Having said that, I'm going to contradict myself slightly; we're not exactly desperate in that area of the pitch and I'd rather the money went on an attacking central midfielder to replace Howard/Quinn.

 

[cooperblade]

Having a medical at Reading according to SSN!!


EDIT Just seen Fleety's post

 

[Amsterdam Blade]

Can't he play as an attacking central midfielder?

Surely he be ideal for us, if he can play there?

 

[Bergen Blade]

He'd be perfect for playing 'in the hole' behind Henderson away from home with a mix of Ward/Cotts/Treacy/Evans in the wider roles and Monty/Quinn behind him. Much better option than Howard. I can see how he fits in away. I'd question what his role at the Lane would be when we go 442.

Agree with this. I think there are many better, younger striker options around, and I'm happy with our wide options now. In the hole behind Henderson or Evans he may offer us a lot though, certainly as Howard is our only specialist option there currently.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Can't he play as an attacking central midfielder?

Surely he be ideal for us, if he can play there?

He can't play as a central midfielder in a 4-4-2. However he can play in the hole in a 4-4-1-1, which he did sometimes last season for Watford.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Doesn't matter a jot what position he plays in he's not coming! he's joining Reading

 

[mattbianco1]

Doesn't matter a jot what position he plays in he's not coming! he's joining Reading

Who's Reading? Did they get hammered at the weekend? Can't remember

 

[our kes]

Who's Reading? Did they get hammered at the weekend? Can't remember

Think Reading were hammered by the same team that hammered Smith's current team Watford the Saturday before? I believe Smith was part of the 11 but was £1.8m's worth of anonymity.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Reading are welcome to Smith as far as Im concerned. He certainly isnt a player who would solve any problems we might have.