Tommy Smith (Braintree Town FC | England)

You reap what you sow if you treat the players badly then they will do the same to you. Actually don't blame him at all the NZFA hasn't changed with over a million $ on the line and 3 guaranteed games against the best of the best at the Confed cup they couldn't even pull it together to organise a couple of friendlies against meaningful opposition.

So where is he going to end up?

Statistically he is one of the best for hisclub. I think he would be good in a relegation dog fight in the EPL for a palace type side. Rangers were mentioned a while ago as well I think it would be a solid move 

The only reason Smith was dropped last season was because he failed to sign a new contract.

Up til that point he was having a solid season (albeit less goals than usual) and made the Championship team of the week a couple of times.

He's a solid defender with plenty of experience available for free, one or two prem clubs could potentially look at him for a squad role since he can play centrally and on the left.

Has he not signed yet? Thought I saw him modelling their new kit the other day

they paid £700k to sign Adam Webster, a centre back, from Portsmouth in League 2.

In the article I read they have quotes which suggest Smith will be around next season. 

But I can't find anything that actually confirms he has signed a contract extension. 

Transfermarkt has his contract as expiring (expired) on 30th June 2016. I also enjoy that it has him as a former international. 

A lot of people thought Mile Jedinak would fail at the EPL level but he is now one of Palaces best and has similar attributes to Smith. Only one wat to really find out I guess would be interesting to see him in the EPL either way. 

I thought Smith would go well enough to play for a mid-lower EPL team......he is good positionally, grabs a few goals, not slow. He makes the odd mistake, but that's the life of a defender....he always looked better than Reid when playing for the AWs, to my righteous eyes.

he played the second half in ITFC's latest pre-season match against Barnet, but don't think a contract has been signed

This article quotes Smith as having his contract extension (which was part of his original contract) triggered for a further year, whilst he's in negotiation for a longer deal, although it's kind of contradictory. I'd say his contract extension has been triggered but not announced.

Smith contracted to Ipswich until June 2017 confirmed here. Several clubs poking around, but that was reported by the Sun so....

Everyone's favourite ex-AW has been on the bench for Ipswich's two Championship games to date (win & a loss). 

He did however start against Stevenage (League Two) in the League Cup during a 0-1 loss at Portman Road!

Former AW (or is he?) Smith finally starts and plays full 90 mins as Ipswich beat Preston 1-0

Pub before country. On ya tractor boy!

Smith is going to have talks with Hudson during the week about his future. I wouldn't rule him out of playing for NZ again in the near future....

“I’m due to speak to the New Zealand manager in the coming days just about the future and how he sees me in his plans and what he wants from me commitment-wise and we’ll go from there,” - See more at: http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/30213/#st...

I really don't know what to think here.  

We need him but his commitment of late has been questionable but is he any worse the Winston Reid or Ryan Nelsen?  Personally I don't think so but he's a bit pants at making up excuses unlike the other two.

to be fair, he has been there for the non glory games unlike Nelsen or Reid so cant really call him out. He might be a massive cock but our defence needs some experience, especially with hudsons crap tactics. 

he really shouldve just faked injuries. Perhaps his absence is more reflective of NZ football rather than him, he was passionate and very committed to nz football and then it just stopped, maybe he realised his time was better spent in a professional environment for a while. 

The AWs are much stronger with Tommy Smith than without him. Who'd be next in line to partner Reid? Adams? Brotherton? Themi? Boxall? None of them are anywhere near as good as Smith is. In fact, I think for NZ that Smith is a better player than Reid. Liking him or not isn't even part of the debate, surely? (don't call me Shirley!)

"What he wants from me commitment wise..." = how many games in the Islands do I realistically have to turn up for?

This is quite a simple equation

1: Do we need good players?

2: Is Tommy Smith a good player?

3: Are we short on good players in his position

ergo....

The fact that is an utter cock is our own personal bias. In the cold light of day, if you are paid to coach a team to win games, you'll pick the best players and he happens to be one of him. Expect one triple somersault backflip from Hudson coming up - when has Hudson ever talked straight at any point so yeah, it will happen.

It's not that simple. It's also about building a culture within the squad. Hudson has said he wants players who are committed to the campaign. And has concluded Tommy doesn't offer that. I get the impression he isn't that well liked by some players.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/79914680/tommy-smith-wont-be-selected-for-all-whites-going-forward--Hudson

I'd much rather have players that are committed to the cause, rather than player that take the opportunity to jump on the bandwagon.

Side point, is he even better than Themi?

Right from the time Hudson said he wouldn't be selected, I got the impression that he was saying that to make Tommy Smith go away and really think whether he wants to be part of the All Whites setup. 

And now maybe he does and is willing to put in the commitment that Hudson requires? Yes he's made some pretty bad decisions but I think we have to remember he also turned up in Honiara when others didn't. If he can give assurances he'll commit properly, and backs that up then I think he should be back in the squad. Is he better than Themi? Yes.

I don't disagree with a lot of that. But does seem the timing is interesting given we have Confeds Cup in less than 9 months time. Hard not to be suspicious that he (apparently?) suddenly wants to be committed now we have an exciting 18 months.

This is definitely the conclusion I draw.  Not convinced he needs to be better than Themi, he would be a shoo in at left back wouldn't he?

I'm a big fan of Themi, but against top teams he's too slow. Will get caught out.

On one hand, I think he's a cock.

On the other, I don't blame him for not exactly being committed to NZF considering how much of a shambles they are.

We also seem to hold Reid to different standards.

Can't help but feel that NZF/Hudson/Ricki have all had a chance to resolve the underlying issues here and haven't. Basically all the Euro based pros are in a similar boat and it's understandable that they might not want to jump on a long haul flight, play on a paddock in the middle of nowhere and then long haul back to Europe in a week between club games. On the other hand, we don't want these guys to only play the WCQs and Confeds Cup.

Maybe NZF/the AWs coach should actively manage this - say that players can decline trips for friendlies if the flights are more than x hours, or the opponents are ranked below x level, or something similar. You could even have a roaster system for the last round of OFC qualifiers to ensure that at least some of these guys are there.

You could effectively have an A squad and a B squad. It wouldn't be ideal but at least it would be clear what expectations are and would acknowledge the sacrifice that AWs games can represent to senior pros. 

Well Reid, Themi and Boxall should be ahead of them.

Ultimately though I think Smith cops more flak because he's just come across like more of a knob whenever this has cropped up.

Most will tolerate a nice guy. You are right however, Smith is a dick has no class as a person so he can just piss off, we don't want him.

The fa is run by clowns. Don't fault smith at all I think we will see him sooner rather than later when it comes down to it Hudsons chances of a raise or a better job rest on the team winning if we qualify for the Cup he will be in demand we will not quaklify without Smith plain and simple we need him and a miracle of course

I'd say they're just as likely to qualify with or without Smith. (0% v 0% lolz)