Andy Smith - initial verdict

[Tunley Legend]

What were your views on Andy Smith? I thought he put himself about and had a fairly decent game. The lad could obviously do with a goal but in comparison with other loan signings made by Johnson this lad seems to have a bit of potential about him. The best thing I can say about him is that our performance dipped once he got substituted.

Agree? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

[bcfcchris2016]

not the best game today. Johnson should of started with Jevons and Brooker though i will agree Jevons had a shocker when he came on eventually

[Tunley Legend]

not the best game today. Johnson should of started with Jevons and Brooker though i will agree Jevons had a shocker when he came on eventually

So you half agree then!!

[dezgimed]

I think his aggression and willingness to chase lost causes and harrass the opposition will be very useful on the road.

Puts Jevons' workrate to shame.

Good on the lad.

[Jay]

I felt that he looked lively and enthusiastic throughout. He seemed hungry for the ball and was generally a positive influence. I'll watch with interest.

[andy g]

I was impressed with what I saw at Brighton and at the Mem and thought he had a solid game today. His all-round game seems pretty good and he's not as lightweight as some of our other strikers. But I'd just like him to get in more goalscoring positions.

Overall, not a bad find.

[Guest Cider_Army]

I think his aggression and willingness to chase lost causes and harrass the opposition will be very useful on the road.

Puts Jevons' workrate to shame.

Good on the lad.

Just got to hope that this wasn't just a "first start" performance and his workrate will be consistent

[andy g]

Just got to hope that this wasn't just a "first start" performance and his workrate will be consistent

Well, his performance was similar in his two previous games, so i guess thats encouraging...

[dezgimed]

Well, his performance was similar in his two previous games, so i guess thats encouraging...

Yep, and if he isnt able to get us goals then the whole 'madman' performance will be his main contribution to the team, so you'd think he will keep it up.

[Oizys]

I was impressed... looks to be a decent "workhorse targetman" Almost a Steve Torpey or Kevin Nugent with pace. Similar to a Robbie "Carnage" Turner sort of performer. Like all three of these, you know they're not the most gifted of players, and you won't get bucketloads of goals from them, but they'll work their nads off all game and make hard work for the defenders.

But then the same was said of a certain 9ft black bloke...what was his name again....?

[Dolman Block B]

What were your views on Andy Smith? I thought he put himself about and had a fairly decent game. The lad could obviously do with a goal but in comparison with other loan signings made by Johnson this lad seems to have a bit of potential about him. The best thing I can say about him is that our performance dipped once he got substituted.

Agree? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Spot on mucker, lively and wanted it...........happy with that

[samo]

But then the same was said of a certain 9ft black bloke...what was his name again....?

who scored again today, 4th goal in around 9-10 apperances, with a couple of assits to boot!

[Guest 3012jack]

[Antman]

not the best game today. Johnson should of started with Jevons and Brooker though i will agree Jevons had a shocker when he came on eventually

Cannot agree at all.

Smiths running off the ball made the spaces for Betsy, Brooker and Wilson to play into.

For the first time in an age we had a forward making runs across the defence.

When Noble picked the ball up and drove forward, he ran across the play taking a marker with him and away from Noble.

He was urging them on and looked very keen.

Compare that to Jevons inability to find space or in fact move at all (in my view)

With Jevons lack of movement and activity we suddenly had nowhere to go with the play, and allowed them back into the game and onto our MF

(changing back to 442 didn't help)

No, in my book Smith looked a very astute signing, different to what we have and very keen.

[Chappers]

Initial impressions - Runs a lot, but lacking any real quality.

[Guest Portisheadred]

i thought Smith was excellent today. he played positively and I am sure help the other players massively. Defenders love to see forwards defend as well as he did far up the pitch.

Given his chequered history, I was not expecting such a strong, physical performance.

Good signing IMO.

[freezer]

Possibly 'A White Bas Savage', no goals but keen-and look at Bas now!.

Works and tries hard, he's strong and has pace. Most importantly, it looked like he wanted it, and with a goal or two behind him he could be gert lush.

Anyone who gives 100% for the shirt is ok by me.

[Nibor]

First impressions were hard working, great movement, decent touch and vision.

Looked promising, hope he can add goals to it.

[southy354]

Looked quite good, very hard working upfront and that helped take the pressure off Brooker up front. Had good vision to put Brooker through and get an opportunity in the first half. Didn't look like he would score, but that's not what we've brought him in for. If he can get a couple of goals for us and help us put pressure on Scunny at the top he would be a great signing in my opinion.

[WTFiGO!?!]

Just to reafirm the general consensus; by no means insinc technically with Pele but actually looked as though he gave a shit which I've been finding a most endearing quality since R*vers.

[Guest citynut54]

I was impressed... looks to be a decent "workhorse targetman" Almost a Steve Torpey or Kevin Nugent with pace. Similar to a Robbie "Carnage" Turner sort of performer. Like all three of these, you know they're not the most gifted of players, and you won't get bucketloads of goals from them, but they'll work their nads off all game and make hard work for the defenders.

But then the same was said of a certain 9ft black bloke...what was his name again....?

You mean the goal machine that scored agian yesterday?

[Guest City Scout]

I thought he did alright too. He buzzed around a lot, & Brooker seemed to enjoy playing alongside him as well, so maybe early signs of a new partnership in the making. If he can take some of the pressure off of Brooker so that he can start scoring again then he will be a good signing.

At the end of the day he is here for 2 months so can only add to our options up front.

Think he was sub'd as he is still building up his match fitness, so hopefully we shall see a lot more of him at Chesterfield on wednesday.

[SimplyRed]

What were your views on Andy Smith? I thought he put himself about and had a fairly decent game. The lad could obviously do with a goal but in comparison with other loan signings made by Johnson this lad seems to have a bit of potential about him. The best thing I can say about him is that our performance dipped once he got substituted.

Agree? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Agree. I thought Smith brought a lot of pace and movement up front and was the most painful thorn in the Northampton's defensive side.

Jevons, by contrast, looked ponderous and lethargic and the fact that we were bloody awful from then on says a lot about the substitution.

It allowed the Cobblers to press forward because their Central Defenders weren't worried about Smith any more - Jevons was a carthorse by comparison - no movement, no pace.

On first showing - one of the best players on the pitch behind Noble and Betsy. As for goals, I think he would have scored if left on.

[Andy Horsman]

Energetic, willing, committed, gave our attack another dimension.I am a Jevons fan, but today was out of sorts.Smith gives a little variation, and GJ puts lots of faith in grafters, particularly of the sort who serve the team's cause without seeking personal glory. overall pleasantly encouraged and good luck to the lad!! Bas comparisons are a quite apt really, given his role for us last season, although Smudger has a bit more of a pedigree(18 caps for NI and Sanchez is no mug.)

[andy g]

Jevons, by contrast, looked ponderous and lethargic and the fact that we were bloody awful from then on says a lot about the substitution.

I agree that Jevons didnt have a great impact when he came on, but I think the reason we lost control of the midfield was because we'd reduced the number of midfielders on the pitch and added a a defender.

[reddogkev]

Do you know, i'm going to say something just a little bit crazy here - but aren't strikers supposed to score goals?

I agree that the bloke ran his socks off and actually tackled and chased for the time he was on the pitch (as would I if I had professional match fitness and had the chance to play for city) - yet he appeared to have next to no goal threat.

For a team aiming for promotion, hard work rate and desire are not enough, to be a success he will need to be able to contribute with goals.

Plus, has anyone else noticed that he looks like Prince Harry when he is playing? I thought they were sending him to Iraq - not the warfields of Ashton!

[Guest Nipper]

Do you know, i'm going to say something just a little bit crazy here - but aren't strikers supposed to score goals?

I agree that the bloke ran his socks off and actually tackled and chased for the time he was on the pitch (as would I if I had professional match fitness and had the chance to play for city) - yet he appeared to have next to no goal threat.

For a team aiming for promotion, hard work rate and desire are not enough, to be a success he will need to be able to contribute with goals.

Plus, has anyone else noticed that he looks like Prince Harry when he is playing? I thought they were sending him to Iraq - not the warfields of Ashton!

If you look at the posts people are not saying that he is the finished article. But that he has shown more potential in one game than many of Johnson's previous loan signings put together. As you say, if he can add goals to his workrate (remember he was very match rusty yesterday) then we could have a decent player on our hands. Which is why we have given him two months to prove himself.

[dezgimed]

Do you know, i'm going to say something just a little bit crazy here - but aren't strikers supposed to score goals?

I agree that the bloke ran his socks off and actually tackled and chased for the time he was on the pitch (as would I if I had professional match fitness and had the chance to play for city) - yet he appeared to have next to no goal threat.

For a team aiming for promotion, hard work rate and desire are not enough, to be a success he will need to be able to contribute with goals.

Plus, has anyone else noticed that he looks like Prince Harry when he is playing? I thought they were sending him to Iraq - not the warfields of Ashton!

Well thats where GJ has to take a gamble.

Smith will do running, flick ons and build up play and wont score..

Jevons will do nothing but is likely to score now and then.

[RedM]

Yesterday was my first 'viewing' of him, and I must admit he was so much better than I expected, if I had believed some of what I'd read on here since he signed anyway!

He looked like he had a genuine, natural, understanding with Brooker, something that for various reasons our other strikers have failed to do.

I thought it was Brookers best game in a long time, and with Wilson also having his best game yet, and Noble cannot possibly be dropped (or Keogh), there were a lot of positives to be taken from the game.

[Pickle Rick]

Cannot agree at all.

Smiths running off the ball made the spaces for Betsy, Brooker and Wilson to play into.

For the first time in an age we had a forward making runs across the defence.

When Noble picked the ball up and drove forward, he ran across the play taking a marker with him and away from Noble.

He was urging them on and looked very keen.

Compare that to Jevons inability to find space or in fact move at all (in my view)

With Jevons lack of movement and activity we suddenly had nowhere to go with the play, and allowed them back into the game and onto our MF

(changing back to 442 didn't help)

No, in my book Smith looked a very astute signing, different to what we have and very keen.

I completely agree there. Great post.

He and Brooker I think form a great partnership upfront. Especially when we go away for a bit of a battle, the defenders will be having to put in a lot to try and keep these two quiet I'm sure.

[PFree]

Thought he did Ok yesterday, and importantly, never gave up. Work rate was up there, even though he probably isn't fully match fit.

A concern I do have though is the number of players who try really hard when a new contract is at stake, however, drop off where the work rate is concerned once they have earned one - how many times have we seen this at the Gate over the past few seasons!?

Another concern is the lack of a 'proven' signing up front. Personally, I feel Holt from Forest would have been great as an example, shame he didn't want to come but there must be more proven strikers available from clubs above us? I see Forest have had a 350K offer for Leon Best turned down and I therefore have the concern that if they buy 'proven' players, they may well get second place ahead of us (Before you jump on he isn't proven, he has a far better strike rate than anybody at our club!)

[Oizys]

You mean the goal machine that scored agian yesterday?

That'll be him. I had loads of time for Bas. At the end of the day he put in 110% every time he pulled on a shirt and although it never worked out for him here, I'm glad to see him scoring. If we can add some goals to Smith's workrate, then we'll have a very good player indeed.

And as for the comment about strikers should score goals....i'd say Smith was more of a forward than a striker, and there's a world of difference there.