Tommy Smith (Braintree Town FC | England)

The only thing that smith is looking after is number one as usual.

Now they just qualified without him, he fancies 3 games against top class international teams in the hope he plays well and wrangles a deal at a higher level then he is playing now.

But if he helps us to get better results, helps us play as a better team and gets other players in the team noticed as well... is this not a good thing?

I want to win... whoever helps, helps.

He doesn't have to be a good guy, just better than others in the position than we need him to play.

Its interesting that the Nix seemingly have a no-cocks policy, and haven't been in the A League final.

Smith plays full 90 min as Tractor Boys lose 1-2 away to Reading.

Not in the squad for todays game against Derby... https://twitter.com/tommysmith1990/status/77576424...

Spoke to Andy Martin at the Chatham Cup Final, told me the overseas players have been told they have to be available for November 12 v New Cal if they want to be considered for Confeds/Russia

Funny that now he's on the outer at Ipswich he's now open to playing for NZ again - get back in the shop window and hope for a move

Is he on the outer... how do we know this. Is he injured, he just started the last few games and was not in the squad... so was he injured as opposed to benched?

He's started 2 games of the 8 so far and one of those was League Cup, he didn't make the bench last game due to a back problem but for a guy who was in the starting line up every game last season it certainly looks like he's no longer 1st choice

Needs surgery for back issues. Few months out

http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/tommy-s...

To remove the chip on his shoulder?

3 months  would put him beyond the next few international windows. Wonder if he'll claim to Hudson that he is committed to the AWs and would have been available for slectiion just so he is in the running for Russia

Hudson on Smith via Gourdie. I see a back flip coming.

After the Oceania qualifying but before the intercontinental playoff I hope.

I mean it worked out pretty well for everyone last time round, Tommy Smith got to go to a world cup and cement his place in the Championship, Winston Reid got to join a Premier League team, and Ben Sigmund got to drive around the country with Jason Pine selling a book on the subject from his boot.

Roadie ftw!!

I hear you Ryan. Smith and Reid would prefer we qualify the team first then they can take it from there. I felt sorry for Sigmund and players like him who had to sit on the bench during the WC after getting us there. 

Still - I don't think anyone would argue that Smith, Nelsen and Reid were our best ever defence grouping. If Smith wants back in - AH will pick him up at the airport with flowers.

Smith hasn't featured in the matchday squad since 13 September (Round 7) and it is currently Round 15.

Was on the radio talking to Gourdie yesterday arvo, didn't catch all of it but sounds like he is injured and due back in December.

Coming back from surgery I believe?

http://www.yellowfever.co.nz/categories/all-whites...

I still think that we should expect our first choice team to be available for all competitive games, even against the Island sides. If you want to play in a WC playoff or the WC or Confeds Cup then you shouldn't shirk turning up for the games that get you there

I agree, Wood is fantastic for being available for continued selection - 44 caps already. I get the impression that Smith has been criticised on here more than Reid and Nelsen have been.

I don't like to see him back. Not sure if he really adds something. Instead give a young talent some exposure.

Yes lets give it all away and have an ASB player get some experience

Oh dear

Well Durante retired...

Durante made himself unavailable for selection and has now made himself available once the glamour matches have been confirmed. 

From:

"I don't know it's retirement, I don't know if I'm completely ready to give it away. But I just feel that, at this point in my career, it's probably not the best decision [to keep playing international football]," Durante said on Tuesday.

To:

"[On my return] I said to Anthony [Hudson] that if you feel I could be of any use for upcoming camps, I'll make myself available," Durante said.

I remember Smith being very committed when he has played. Its about getting the best team on the park, not just the most committed,  e.g. thats why he plays instead of Siggy/Boxall/Durante etc when available.

For the 13th match in a row Smith hasn't featured in the matchday squad. Disappointing and puzzling that he's never even on the bench. He has made 2 league appearances this season and 1 in the EFL Cup.

Is he not still recovering from his back operation?

Yup. Out until March-ish

Played his first game in a while for the u23 side with an 8-0 against watfor with fellow kiwi Monty Patterson scoring a first half hat-trick.

Smith on the bench for Ipswich as Leeds and his sometimes AWs teammate Wood pay a visit to Portman Road

Subbed on after 56 mins in East Anglia derby v Norwich.

Good to see him coming back.