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Smith Surprised By All Whites Omission
Wednesday, 25th Mar 2015 06:00

Tommy Smith has spoken of his surprise at being excluded from the New Zealand squad for their friendly against South Korea in Seoul next Tuesday.

The game coincides with Smith’s 25th birthday, which he will spend at home in Suffolk rather in the Far East after All Whites’ head coach Anthony Hudson, son of former Chelsea, Arsenal and England midfielder Alan Hudson, decided to leave him out in order to check on other potential candidates. Blues loan striker Chris Wood has made the trip.

Smith, who previously decided on a break from the international scene before a change of heart, made it clear the decision was not his own request.

He said: “The manager knows that I’m available for selection, but he told me that they’ve found a couple of new players that he wants to see in action.

“He didn’t tell me he wasn’t going to pick me but I never ruled myself out of selection. Was I shocked? Yes, to be honest. I enjoy representing my country, but on the flip side of that it does give me a chance to rest and recuperate for a vital part of the season for Ipswich.

“I’ve had a chat with the new head coach in the past and, to be fair, he has said that there might be times when he might not call me up. This is obviously one of those occasions.”

Town boss Mick McCarthy doubts Smith’s omission was related to his defender’s form: “Sometimes I think it’s tactical with international managers. I don’t think they need to see Tommy.

“I don’t think he’s been left out because they don’t want him there. Maybe they’re looking at somebody else, they’ve got somebody else that can play. That’s my understanding of it.

“I don’t think it’s due to his performances. Whilst being disappointed, he might take it as a feather in his cap that actually, they don’t need to see him.

“When there’s a game that comes up and it’s a qualifier he’ll be back in the team. You can look at it two ways, I prefer to look at it in the positive one.”

Town’s Norwegian full-back or midfielder Jonny Parr has also been left out of his nation’s squad for their European Championships qualifier in Croatia on Saturday, somewhat controversially.

Former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise was amongst a number of ex-players and pundits to express their surprise that the 26-year-old had been snubbed by manager Per-Mathias Høgmo.

“[He’s done well for Town] but whoever their manager is he picks it and he’s probably single-minded like me and ‘foxtrot oscar’ to all the other opinions!” McCarthy added.


Photo: Action Images



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KiwiBlue2 added 06:32 - Mar 25
Would not worry Tommy ........... Hudson needs to build some depth and this is an opportunity to have a look at some players that he has not seen before with nothing at stake. As soon as we start qualifiers expect to hear from him........ in the meantime enjoy the break and get ready for a supreme effort over the last seven games.
7

Sir_Bob added 06:57 - Mar 25
I, for one, am very happy that Smith, Bru, Parr, Bishop will not be travelling for International duty, as they all need a rest.
It's great to have players represent Town at International level, but with a top six place urgently needed, all our player need some rest. Selfishly, I wish Murphy would have been left out as well.
3

fabian_illness added 06:58 - Mar 25
Tommy has been on the receiving end of some unfair criticism this season, he does exactly as the manager asks week in, week out. He's been solid and in fairness he very rarely gives the ball away. I'm sure he won't miss a trip to Korea at this point in the season. Put you feet up Tommy. You deserve it.
2

DurhamTownFan added 07:26 - Mar 25
Sir Bob you're spot on there. A nice rest will do Tom's mind a world of good after a tricky few games for him. He's not really dominated since before the home game with Derby, but the bread and butter of defending in MM's team is heading and clearing your lines which he's always done fine. Hopefully he's spending all this time working on those right-foot long balls!
0

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:28 - Mar 25
Tommy is a True Blue and deserves a rest from playing and from some of the criticism he's had to endure (although I doubt he bothers to read it). I'll always have an extra feeling for "one of our own," especially someone who puts in 110% effort every time he plays.
3

itfcbonanza added 08:29 - Mar 25
Just seen that Ekstrand is out for at least nine months. Is that just deserts?
4

bluefeast added 09:11 - Mar 25
If players are picked on form i would be leaving tommy out too. His form has been below the higher standards he set before christmas and indeed last season.
0

dford7 added 09:17 - Mar 25
Maybe Hudson has been reading the TWTD comments pages...... Enjoy the rest Tommy. You do deserve it.
3

urbanpenguin added 09:32 - Mar 25
Maybe the NZ manager has been watching Ipswich games and is making a judgement based on form, unlike our manager.

Much as I love Smith's energy, dedication and being an honorary Ipswich guy, there were a few poor games in a row where his mistakes led to defeats. The position he plays in ATM hasn't been helping, and perhaps a week's rest will enable a recharge, but am I surprised he's been dropped from a national team? no.
-1

theman added 09:38 - Mar 25
@ Budgycrusher - whilst I admire you for supporting a player who's gone through a bit of a rough patch, to say he 'rarely gives the ball away' is going a bit far..
3

topguy added 09:40 - Mar 25
I know like others I a bit glad that some of our best players are not playing give em a rest with a few games to go and when town do we over next 7 games after new Zealand and Norway lose then they will think omg maybe they would have been better. And with all due respect Bonanza that discraceful and the poor lad out for months facing an operation I feel for him and his Watford teammates and fans show also when he was clapped off at the time football brings us all together and get well soon Ekstrand
2

itfc1981 added 09:48 - Mar 25
There is no doubting Smith has been in poor form since the New Year, however, since the second half of the Bolton game he seems back to his imperious best. Lets hope this continues as it is clear Mick will play him regardless of form.

I must say it does Smith's cause no favours if fans try to make out that he 'rarely gives the ball away' or 'has been solid', quite frankly these are laughable comments.
1

fabian_illness added 10:24 - Mar 25
@ the man, I understand what you're getting at, whilst I've seen one or two misplaced passes I have enough understanding of the game to see the important stuff he does well every week, tackles, strong headers and the ability to work with Berra and chambers. He and berra quite often cancel the opposition out before they get a chance to make use of the ball. I still think he's the best man for the job.
We need a bit more positivity around here, we're in the mix for playoffs and promotion but still people find things to moan about.

Supporters support.
0

Razor added 10:26 - Mar 25
Tommy was back on the horse on Saturday and both he and the rest of the defence will feel a whole lot better.

Enjoy your birthday fellah and then nod in the winner against Bournemouth!
5

fabian_illness added 10:27 - Mar 25
Laugh away itfc1981. It's my opinion. You're entitled to yours too.
0

BackTheBlues added 11:56 - Mar 25
I think we're all forgetting one important sequence of events... Tommy Was dropped from the team early in the season to rotate shape, he then got back in the team, called a break on international duty, got dropped again, decided he needed games and put himself back into the international frame and then came back into the team again... He's a young lad who's had to put up with a lot this season, a few mistakes I feel are on the back of the feeling of insecurity (and I'm not blaming Mick hear at all, but the fans certainly should remember these points).
With Mings suspended for 2 & Parr almost certain to fill in, I would say Tommy is in for the rest of the season, about the same time his form has risen back above!
Get behind the boy!
2

Michael11 added 13:00 - Mar 25
I'm glad he's not been picked. I think his recent dip in form is largely down to fatigue. A week or so off to recharge his batteries for our run in will do him the world of good! He looked back to his best at Watford.
2

muccletonjoe added 13:03 - Mar 25
Had an excellent game against Watford and was in the championship 11 for last weekend. Will have done the boys confidence no harm at all. More t
3

Seasider added 15:21 - Mar 25
One wonders if it grated with the NZ Manager that he made himself unavailable for internationals,and when he was dropped from ITFC decided he wanted to pay again
0

blueboy1981 added 19:03 - Mar 25
......... their loss Tommy - probably due to the criticism he has been receiving recently (totally unjustified) - by people who don't understand the game well enough to realise that he has been doing his very best, playing out of position for most of the season.

Rock on Tommy.
-1

runningout added 20:08 - Mar 25
is justified as had a ropey period not so long go. May have been reported on then .... Blessing!
0

runningout added 20:09 - Mar 25
ago :-/
0

brian_a_mul added 21:59 - Mar 25
Rest up and enjoy the birthday celebrations. Get ready and fired up for run in!
0

bluefeast added 22:06 - Mar 25
Why do people post as if the player in question actually reads it
0


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