Keegan: "More To Come From Alan"
By Tyne-Talk
August 11 2008
Alan Smith took to the pitch on Saturday to face home fans jeering at him from the sidelines. The striker who has featured in many preseason games due to the absence of fellow team-mates Obafemi Martins, Michael Owen and Mark Viduka has been linked with a move away from the club after an disappointing 2007/2008 season.
The 27 year old has failed to find the back of the net for Newcastle since he joined last summer for £6million and is linked with a transfer to Everton. However, he is highly thought of by club owner Mike Ashley who has previously had his name across the back of his football shirt, and manager Kevin Keegan has publicly backed the former Leeds and Manchester United player in an interview today, saying he has no immediate plans to relieve Smith from his current contract.
Keegan said:
"Alan Smith is a Newcastle player and that's it. He covers in a lot of positions, is a great lad around the place - and whole-hearted.
He may not always be the best player on the pitch, but no one will try harder.
I'm not going to try and tell this crowd what to do. It's a very knowledgeable crowd.
They're the first to cheer if a player scores a goal and sometimes they show their feelings.
They've got every right to do that, they pay their money.
But I definitely think there's a lot more to come from Alan. I've known lots of players turn themselves around, and I know Alan will."
Smith who was booed after coming on in the second half to replace Martins in Newcastle's home match against Valencia on Saturday, is said to have already held talks with Everton.
I know KK and Ashley weren't around at the time, but this reasoning sure as hell didn't save Scott Parker-who scores more frequently and tackles better than Smith.
Boo Barton's recidivist ass all you want. But just show Smith the door.
Just put yaself in his boots. Not too far removed from a horrific injury. Working hard to win a spot in the team. Being moved around the formation to patch a paper-thin squad. Being the object of unwanted attention due to his bad form, Fat Sam's continued selection of him despite said form, and then CAshley wearing 'Smith' on his shirt.
Then you're mercilessly heckled by some of the 'best fans in the game.'
If he weren't on several tens of thousands of pounds a week I'd weep for him.