The teams today

[oliv272]

http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/NewsD ... 99,00.html

Interesting selection there, suppose howe is on the bench so we can see if we can cope with out him and im delighted to see smith starting. Lance key on the bench is a surprise i thought it would be Broadbent but then he only just got promoted up so he might need time, King on the bench to we must be running out of midfielders since i don't see porter on there a surprise to me he must still be injured.

[Rushdenjim]

Sam smith in the team

[Mad Dog]

Sam smith in the team

Wish he hadn't been, he was utter useless once again and looked completely out of his depth. There was an immediate improvement when he came off and Howe was brought on.

[Jemfy]

Sam smith in the team

Wish he hadn't been, he was utter useless once again and looked completely out of his depth. There was an immediate improvement when he came off and Howe was brought on.

Got to disagree, one notable very good shot that was just high and wide, and a lot of work in the channels managing to put in a fair few quite decent crosses, one of the front players who managed the roles today much better. Howe was clearly sharp in pre-match warmup, I think we would have seen much more improvement had Gash been taken off.

[Mad Dog]

Nonsense. Apart from that one shot, he kept giving away the ball, got beaten in the air a lot and the 'work' involved wobbling around all match, and I wasn't the only one who wasn't impressed with him. I heard plenty of comments that more less said, we may have to consider releasing him in the summer.

[Jemfy]

Nonsense. Apart from that one shot, he kept giving away the ball, got beaten in the air a lot and the 'work' involved wobbling around all match, and I wasn't the only one who wasn't impressed with him. I heard plenty of comments that more less said, we may have to consider releasing him in the summer.

I'm open to the suggestion, but I didn't notice him giving the ball away any more than anyone else on the pitch. I like Sam, and I want him to do well, and I genuinely think he was one of the better players today. Maybe Justin disagreed or maybe it was a fitness thing replacing him. I suppose we all see the games differently. He's barely played this season so far, and now, with Howe leaving, and Gash disappointing it's his job to force his way in, but to base releasing him on so little evidence is a bit quick to judge IMO.

[Mad Dog]

Nonsense. Apart from that one shot, he kept giving away the ball, got beaten in the air a lot and the 'work' involved wobbling around all match, and I wasn't the only one who wasn't impressed with him. I heard plenty of comments that more less said, we may have to consider releasing him in the summer.

I'm open to the suggestion, but I didn't notice him giving the ball away any more than anyone else on the pitch. I like Sam, and I want him to do well, and I genuinely think he was one of the better players today. Maybe Justin disagreed or maybe it was a fitness thing replacing him. I suppose we all see the games differently. He's barely played this season so far, and now, with Howe leaving, and Gash disappointing it's his job to force his way in, but to base releasing him on so little evidence is a bit quick to judge IMO.

I don't think the comments regarding releasing him were based solely on today. The discussions I heard were based around the fact that he has done little to build a case (injuries aside) since the 2008/9 season.

I've met Sam and spoken to him. He is a really nice guy, but he hasn't progressed. I think we'll have to agree to disagree on his performance today.

[davealbon]

I'm with Mad Dog on this one, although I would like to see Sam given a decent run in his natural position (i.e. centre forward in a two man attack) before writing him off completely.

[BartonRaz]

Sam Smith is without question still here because of his performances 2 seasons ago. I agree that it is unfair to judge him on one game in an unnatural position, but he hasn't progressed as i'd have hoped given his incredibly bright start.

His start was similar to that of Simeon Jackson, and better than Tomlin, but he's turned into a Hilliard/Sharrif type player over time. I doubt injuries have helped.

On another note, he always appears way better in home matches than he does away to me.

[TheIncognitoKid]

Sam Smith is without question still here because of his performances 2 seasons ago. I agree that it is unfair to judge him on one game in an unnatural position, but he hasn't progressed as i'd have hoped given his incredibly bright start.

His start was similar to that of Simeon Jackson, and better than Tomlin, but he's turned into a Hilliard/Sharrif type player over time. I doubt injuries have helped.

On another note, he always appears way better in home matches than he does away to me.

He just seems to me, as he takes a while to get going each season, Just like O'Connor or Stuart. Sending him out on loan is the best option, as JE was going to do until he got injured. I can't see him being with us next season!