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Waghorn: An Opportunity Tommy Needed to Take
Tuesday, 23rd Jan 2018 13:17

Striker Martyn Waghorn says departing defender Tommy Smith will be a big loss to the club but that the opportunity to join the Colorado Rapids was one the New Zealand international needed to take. The 27-year-old’s switch to the MLS side, first revealed by TWTD more than a fortnight ago, was finally confirmed last night.

“He’s a big influential player,” said Waghorn, who celebrates his 28th birthday today.

“He’s obviously been around the club for a lot of years, one of those experienced heads, although he’s not that old. But he’s got a bit of experience of the club, the fans and everything around the place.

“Yes, it’s a big loss, but it’s an opportunity for him and he needs to take it, he needs to go and play and move on with his family and be happy.

“I wish him all the best, I’ve really enjoyed my time with him, he’s a really good lad, but it’s one of those things in football.”

Waghorn, who joined the Blues from Rangers for £250,000 in the summer, says it’s good to have established team-mates such as Smith to help you settle in at a new club.

“Not only Tommy, there are a lot of boys,” he reflected. “You’ve got Skusey, Chambo, Didz, Bart, Hymsy, all players that have been here a lot of years and I think that shows in the way they play. They know the club inside out.

"Not only that, the gaffer has been here for a few years. It’s nice to come to a place that settled, it’s got its core and you work off that.”

Smith, who has moved for an undisclosed fee, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Rapids, who are managed by his former All Whites boss Anthony Hudson, having an option to keep him for a further season.


Photo: TWTD



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SohoBlue added 13:26 - Jan 23
And in other breaking news, I just had a lovely baguette for lunch, no less. Surprisingly good.
And I couldn't agree more, Waggo-Wigglesy. We ALL deserve to move on and be happy.
5

SamWhiteUK added 13:58 - Jan 23
Hymsy, jeez
5

BlueMachines added 14:58 - Jan 23
I expect he was fed up of being shafted by the manager for the managers mates. Brining in a right footed I-awful instead of a left footed Smith when the left footed Webster need replacing earlier in the season was probably the last straw.
4

Cookycrew added 16:52 - Jan 23
In football, as we all know 'stability' & being settled are very much at a premium.

Ipswich Town fairly much stands alone on being a 'stable' club & being settled (...& I slightly begrudgingly acknowledge MM & ME have kept us recently stable - football wise & financial wise).

All Ipswich managers have been given a lengthy 'stable' period of time in the job to try & achieve success (apart from Keane & Jewell who were deservedly removed).

My only Gripe (with ME) on this financial 'stability' is that - In my opinion, IF only MM was given just £1M or £2Million transfer spending money by ME NOW to buy a really top-quality player (just like Burley did when he bought Marcus Stewart) - i'm sure thatM (Unlike Keane) would then spend that transfer money very wisely!

Our club's valued 'stability' would then allow MM/us to push into the Play-offs NOW & give us a real chance of being in the PL next season.
9

therein61 added 17:32 - Jan 23
Wish someone would come in for our premiership class no/8
0

OwainG1992 added 19:07 - Jan 23
Completely agree Cookycrew, Mick's football is turgid at times let's be honest. But he's been forced to work on a shoe-string budget. If he had the money Keane had I'd love to know how things would have been different.
6

heathen66 added 21:39 - Jan 23
I am unsure as what shoestring Mick is working with as ME seems to'invest' over £5m of his own money year on year.
Unfortunately, the problem with 'free' transfers (which we all seem to dislike) is that the fee that would have been paid for any said player is negotiated into the signing on fee and wages for the player (and agent).
There is no such thing as a Free transfer
Unfortunately if Mick was given the said £1m - £2m then we would end up with another Skuse / Douglas like defensive midfielder.
As Mick admitted himself a week or so back, he has not even asked ME for any of the Keifer Moore money.
The noise coming out of PR (mainly from IM) is that there is money available, but it may appear that MM does not want to spend it. If money is spent then expectations rise.
There is always an excuse that MM has spent little money, but wages rise year after year and the squad gets smaller and smaller.
It is my assumption that the players are payed very well here, as they seem reluctant to leave (Douglas, Tabb, Bru...) when it is obvious they are not wanted / required.

This is not a post in support of ME by any strettch of the imagination,however it is 'Just a thought' that may be worth considering !!!
1

Karlosfandangal added 22:22 - Jan 23
Heathen66

I don't think it's a case of MM don't want to spend it.... the problem is any player of quality will cost millions. If you take Leeds paying £4.5 million for a midfielder does not mean he is a quality payer.
Moore with a handful of sub appearances goes for £750000 and being paid a reported £10000 a week. ME money helps pay for the reported £16 million Ipswich pay the first team.
Loans are a good way of seeing if a player is good enough ie Huws , what would the post be like on here if we had brought Iofa,at least we can send him back
Celina is so far out of are reach as was Lawrence.

MM does well with the money he is given

3

BlueMachines added 22:59 - Jan 23
Heathen. Just because MM says he doesn't want you here doesn't mean you won't play (Bru!)
1

Rensham added 00:36 - Jan 24
For someone who's leaving in 100days time seems Big Mick is making a lot of decisions beyond his pay grade.
Maybe he's staying after all. I think he probably is.
1

SheptonMalletBlue added 09:20 - Jan 24
It wouldn't matter how much money McCarthy had to spend, his style of football wouldn't change.
5


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