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Town Premier League Bid Behind Smith Break
Wednesday, 13th Aug 2014 20:45

New Zealand assistant coach Neil Emblen says Tommy Smith’s target of helping Town win promotion to the Premier League this season is behind his decision to give up international football for the next 12 months. New Zealand Football announced 24-year-old Smith’s intention to take a break on Monday.

”I think he's pretty open to facing the music and outlining his reasons, but he's just prioritising himself because he wants to achieve something that he hasn't done yet,” former Wolves and Norwich man Emblen told the New Zealand Herald.

"I understand that every time he jumps on a plane, it puts his situation at Ipswich Town under jeopardy. I get that.

“And that's what he is now doing with New Zealand. He is now saying 'I'm not prepared to do that and I'm going to put my All Whites chances at risk'. Someone like Michael Boxall could easily get established in his position, but he's aware of what he's doing."

He added: "I have sympathy for it, but I also don't because there are players who have had long successful international careers both in New Zealand and Australia who have been able to find the balance between both.

"How the rest of the players feel about it will be a telling factor. Is there resentment in the group or anything like that, because that could change the dynamic. I think there will be some players who get wound up by it and others who won't mind.

"I don't think the relationship is dead and buried by any means, he said 'it's not over unless you say it's over'."

New Zealand's high performance manager Fred de Jong played down suggestions of a rift between Smith and New Zealand Football, telling One News: "I don't think it is a falling out. Tommy has come to us on the back on the Uzbekistan tour and requested that he not be selected for any New Zealand team for the next 12 months.

"We're disappointed when any top player decides that they don't want to turn up for national team and he'll have his reasons and they are for him to disclose.

"From our perspective we want players who are fully committed to the New Zealand cause and are fully committed to getting to [the 2018 World Cup in] Russia.”

Smith has won 27 full caps and has scored two goals and appeared at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and also at the 2012 London Olympics.


Photo: Action Images



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bring_back_Wickham added 20:52 - Aug 13
Misinterpreted the title and thought a prem club had come in for him!
7

Leithblue added 21:00 - Aug 13
me too!! I thought he was given a break from playing last night because of impending transfer. Smith-Berra must be the most important partnership for us at the moment
3

WhosMcGoldrick added 21:01 - Aug 13
When I saw the title my heart missed a beat!
3

PhilTWTD added 21:12 - Aug 13
Ha, hadn't even occurred to me it could be read that way! I'll amend so as not to worry anyone else.
5

Michael11 added 21:28 - Aug 13
Good on you, Tommy! Finally seems like we have a squad of players who really want to be at ITFC and be a success. Hopefully if all the players have his desire (and ability) then we'll have no problem getting promotion eventually.
1

jas0999 added 21:34 - Aug 13
For me, smith and Berra are possibly the best central defensive partnership in the league.
2

Luggworm added 22:11 - Aug 13
Good on Tommy. NZ's inflexibility for the Blackpool game has come back to bite them.
1

PeekFreans added 22:18 - Aug 13
Great commitment to the club. We need more players to cultivate this attitude and dedicate themselves to making Town great again. Nice one Tom!
1

GerkensBeard added 22:28 - Aug 13
Agree with you Jas, it's so nice knowing going into games that you feel comfortable you are going to defend well and not give away any mistakes, such a solid partnership, and could easily be a premier league one.
0

AbujaBlue added 22:42 - Aug 13
""I have sympathy for it, but I also don't "

What, Neil Emblem??? You either understand Tommy's position or you don't.

Could one reason for Smith staying away from New Zealand team because of Neil Emblem? I remember reading some quotes from him before on Tommy Smith and they were just as unsympathatic, making him sound like a bit of an idiot (to put it nicely).
1

Suffolk_n_Good added 22:47 - Aug 13
Neil Emblen clearly thinks that New Zealand is full of quality centre backs he can choose from!!! Tommy would walk back into that side at a drop of a hat, Luggworm sums it up nicely, maybe they should of thought about how they treated Tommy around the Blackpool game last season, from a ITFC point of view, great news!!
2

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:15 - Aug 14
Tommy Smith is a True Blue!
0

WhoisJimmyJuan added 07:36 - Aug 14
NZ are clearly unhappy and can barely disguise it. I am glad Tommy has made the decision he has but can sympathise a bit. If an England player missed a year to try to help, say Man U or Chelsea win, it wouldn't be welcomed by all. But as I say, I am glad as it is the right thing for player and club.
0

JoeDickerson420 added 08:14 - Aug 14
Lets face it anyway.. NZ aint making it to Russia? good choice Tommy. Now get your over sized balls on that coach to reading and get all 3 points!
0

brian_a_mul added 09:09 - Aug 14
For the NZ case, a team is stronger than any individual and Im sure he hasnt taken the decision lightly.

Its a great move for Town and shows his commitment to the cause. He will definitely be MMs top man and a near certain captain very soon. This will help set the tone and give inspiration to the rest of the squad.

I honestly think Town will be a force to be reckoned with!
1

BasingstokeBranch added 14:00 - Aug 14
This highlights the problem that many 'minor' footballing nations have.

Smith was never a 'Kiwi' until they qualified for the 2010 World Cup, when he made himself available to play for them. Having already represented England at youth levels, he can hardly have had a burning desire to represent New Zealand.

Perhaps from the All Whites' perspective (and that of all 'minor' footballing nations), they would be better off selecting players who had a burning desire to represent their country in future rather than relying on those players who 'make themselves available' on a technicality?
0


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