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Smith Back in New Zealand Squad
Thursday, 16th Oct 2014 09:08

Town defender Tommy Smith is back in the New Zealand fold only two months after deciding to take a year off international football. The 24-year-old has been named in the All Whites squad for November friendlies away against China and Thailand.

Smith, who has previously won 27 caps, scoring two goals, opted to take the break to concentrate on the Blues’ promotion push, but has latterly found himself out of the starting line-up with Luke Chambers and Christophe Berra Mick McCarthy’s preferred central defensive duo.

New All Whites manager Anthony Hudson met with his European based players last month when he spoke to Smith.

"Talking to Tommy it was obvious he had a great desire to be part of the All Whites squad and his vision for the team matches our own heading towards [the World Cup in] Russia [in 2018],” he said.

“It's great that he will be back involved as we begin to chart our path forwards over the next year.”

New Zealand face China in Nanchang on Friday 14th November and Thailand in Bangkok on Wednesday 19th November during a designated international break.

All Whites: Jacob Gleeson (Portland Timbers), Oliver Sail (Wellington Phoenix), Michael Boxall (Wellington Phoenix), Thomas Doyle (Wellington Phoenix), Jesse Edge (Vicenza), Louis Fenton (Wellington Phoenix), James Musa (Team Wellington), Winston Reid (West Ham United), Storm Roux (Central Coast Mariners), Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town), Cameron Howieson (Burnley), Dan Keat (Falkenbergs FF), Michael McGlinchey (Wellington Phoenix), Tim Payne (Auckland City), Bill Tuiloma (Olympique Marseille), Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle), Kosta Barbarouses (Melbourne Victory), Tyler Boyd (Wellington Phoenix), Jeremy Brockie (Wellington Phoenix), Marco Rojas (SpVgg Greuther Furth), Joel Stevens (Wellington Phoenix), Chris Wood (Leicester City).


Photo: Action Images



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NS74ITFC added 09:13 - Oct 16
Feel for tommy. Committed himself to ITFC to push for promotion then got dropped from the team !

I hope he gets another opportunity with Ipswich as he's a top pro. COYB

10

JimmyJazz added 09:22 - Oct 16
Maybe he's thinking that at this point he could do with getting a game.
5

carsey added 09:36 - Oct 16
Much as I feel for Tommy you can't argue with the team's results. Hopefully he won't go and get injured just as we need him for ITFC.
3

Paulblue62 added 09:37 - Oct 16
Imagine a lot of teams will come in for him in January if he isn't playing first team for us. Quality player who has a real connection with Town fans. Hope he stays and fights for his place. Good luck to him with the NZ squad.
3

Woodbridgian added 11:05 - Oct 16
Top man and feel really sorry for him losing out. I agree he will be on lots of teams wish lists for a January move and feel with Chambers being out of contract in the summer Tommy would be a much better long term bet for the team. However as someone else said you can't argue with the results at the moment so it's a tough call. But if he goes I think it will be a huge long term mistake.
1

Wickets added 12:01 - Oct 16
I agree with all the warm comments regards Tommy. It is an ongoing problem for managers to keep quality players happy when they are just sitting on the bench.
1

Superblue95 added 12:07 - Oct 16
Top player and desperately unlucky not to be playing at the moment. Dont blame him for reversing his decision as he needs to play games. I for one would be gutted if he were to leave as i always thought he could be a player to spend his whole career with us and go down in the history books as an ITFC legend
2

ventilator added 12:58 - Oct 16
Good to see Tommy getting some good comments - some of the stick he has had on here, especially during the Jewell regime, was uncalled for. He is still a vital member of the squad, and would be sorely missed if he left. He can only benefit further from working with Mick and the excellent Berra.
3

bluemikey100 added 13:45 - Oct 16
good to play for your country didnt deserve to be dropped as always scored a few goals as well but our results have been better since the switching of defenders
1

iaintaylorx added 14:06 - Oct 16
i believe that tommy is a better centre back than chambo, but as he is our club captain and a true pro, you can't replace him, as both our full backs are also playing out of this world! hope he somehow finds a way back into the team, because he has a lot of potential!
1

jas0999 added 17:14 - Oct 16
A shame he was dropped from the team, but there are only four defensive positions available in this starting formation. We only have 5 defensive senior players at the club, but sadly the other four have been excellent. Not surprised he wants games so can't fault his decision to return to the international side.
1

commuterblue added 07:34 - Oct 17
Good player. Unlucky. best for all sides if still not playing in January that he goes on loan to a non-rival with a 24 hour recall clause in case berra or chambers get injured

1

commuterblue added 07:37 - Oct 17
Agree with venitaltor. Some of the targeting of players during Keane and Jewel was ridiculous. Whatever happened to McCauley, Delaney& Rosenior.
0

horsehollerer added 08:51 - Oct 17
I know it's been said to death on here but I just can't believe the improvement in the strength of our squad in such a short space of time - both from the additions and existing players stepping up. The team is starting to play nice football for the first time in ages, but we're also tougher (and bigger) than any Town team I can remember. It's a real joy to be a Town fan again and it makes you realise just how many years of darkness we had to endure. Well played everyone, especially the fans.
1


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