Along with our 18yr old keeper.
Italiano would be fuming having waited three years to become our number 1 only to have it taken away from him for a player without a single professional appearance behind him, nor that many starts at NZFC level.
Bold call if the kid is picked... would love to know more about him.
The only thing that matters is the win and the name on the back of the shirt is irrelevant.
You're not concerned about the fact that this kid can somehow be assessed as potentially the best person for the job, but was missed/ignored/overlooked while Italiano and Sail were being tied down (in Sail's case for two years)? Would be different if he'd just turned up last month.
I see no problem with the current coaches choosing the player they think will be best for the job in the position, rather than the player being paid the most to be in that position.
Wasn't it Italiano we were specifically told had been approved by the new coach (it was during the period where everyone knew it was this guy but they were waiting for i's to be dotted and t's to be crossed)?
Edit: Again, I have no issue with Smith being picked, but if he's potentially being rated ahead of Italiano, something's gone wrong somewhere, or he's had a huge couple of months.