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Chambers Backs Defensive Partner Smith
Saturday, 22nd Sep 2012 06:02

Experienced defender Luke Chambers has given partner Tommy Smith a massive vote of confidence after his unfortunate blunder gifted Wolves their first goal in the 2-0 midweek home defeat.

Fall-guy Smith may have played in the World Cup for his adopted New Zealand but in terms of appearances at club level he is lagging way behind Chambers, who has clocked up more than three times as many senior games.

Chambers said: “I think Tommy’s done well. Obviously, he scored the own goal the other night but I think his overall game has improved since the start of the season.

“I’m enjoying playing alongside Tommy and we just need to start keeping clean sheets. But it’s not just about the back four — it’s about the whole team.

“We identified before the game on Wednesday the need to not give silly freekicks away in wide areas but we did that in the latter stages of the game and that’s where they got their first goal from.

“We need to concentrate on the small details — the gaffer has mentioned them a lot and I totally agree with him — and we’ll be a stronger side for it.”

Chambers understands the need for defensive reinforcements - Stoke's Danny Higginbotham joined on loan for a month late yesterday afternoon - and will be happy to see a new face in the dressing room.

He added: “The gaffer is trying to bring in players all the time and not just a centre-half. There’s only Tommy and I to play there so if we have an injury it looks very, very threadbare.

“I don’t think he wants to bring in just anyone. It has to be the right acquisition and that’s the manager’s job. I’m sure he is looking around every single minute of the day to see who he can bring in to improve the squad.

“There has to be competition for places. You’ve seen the lads who have had to sit on the bench so far this season, which shows that if you are not playing your best football there are players to come in.

“It’s a squad game, especially in this division with so many games. You have to be focused and everyone has to be at their peak for every minute of every game.”


Photo: Action Images



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Sir_Bob added 06:23 - Sep 22
After we got humped at Peterborough last year no one on here ever wanted to see Smith in an Ipswich shirt again. He came in again at the end of last year after Sonko, Ingermasson etc. left the club. He kept about two clean sheets in about 10 games & a few started saying he's the future. He's not the future unless the future is getting relegated. As far as i'm concerened he hasn't improved & he's had everychance chance to improve.
The only thing wrong with the Higginbotham deal is that it's not long enough.
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Fartman added 08:27 - Sep 22
Tommy will come good for us, no doubt. But I think he needs to concentrate on club and give international duty a rest, as lack of rest is a keyword in his preseason and even since the season started. The distance of traveling he's doing is just insane, and we all know that you need some days to recover completely from those travels. And that would be the 5% of concentraion missing in any decisions taken on matchday.
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budgieplucker added 10:16 - Sep 22
Gareth McCauley had a bad couple of months when he first joined town. Then in his second season he also had a poor start and people were blaming the responsibility of him being captain affecting his game. By the time he left people were up in arms that he hadn't been offered a new contract - this was the same player many were calling a donkey earlier. The same player who is now playing in the premiership.

Tommy Smith is a fine young professional and unless the idiots who keep slating him force him to look elsewhere for his future will go on to be an exceptional servant for Ipswich Town football club. The problem the other night wasn't Tommy's bizarre own goal, it was in the other box. All players will make mistakes. I think he is obliged to pay International's unless he retires from the International scene which we wouldn't want him to do as it gives him valuable experience. Yes the lad has been playing all summer and hasn't had a rest - thats why we need a proper squad to compete in this league.
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warbeat78 added 12:42 - Sep 22
We need to hang on with young tommy boy!!, this season will do him well,watch this lad get stronger and sharper now theres more defensive quality on board even though it is only short term at moment.
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TimmyH added 12:43 - Sep 22
A bit bizarre how his form has 'dipped' again at the start of this season as he was one of Town's most consistent players from January on to the end of last season. I think he really is a confidence player and needs a rest at the moment from his almost non-stop playing over the summer, ideal time to bring in Higginbottom for him. Too many people get on his case soon as he has a bad day which largely comes from the performances against Peterboro and a few other teams at the beginning of last season.
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tomisamos added 15:06 - Sep 22
I thought Chambers and Smith were pretty solid until the goal on Wednesday. Really unfortunate.
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runningout added 18:34 - Sep 22
And now?
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