Scottish Mag 3 Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 Alan Smith had not expected to return to Manchester United today without Sam Allardyce. He thought it would be another opportunity to fight for the man who needed just an hour to persuade him to leave Old Trafford for Newcastle. 'He needs time,' said Smith in midweek, just hours before Allardyce's shock departure. But the former manager's absence will only slightly tarnish Smith's re-appearance at United, where he is looking forward to 'rattling a few cages' and saying the farewells he did not have time for in the summer. He did not even say goodbye to manager Sir Alex Ferguson. 'The bid came in on the Tuesday morning and I signed on the Tuesday night,' said Smith, who turned down Middlesbrough and Everton to move to Tyneside. 'The gaffer said it was the quickest transfer ever done.' Smith could have stayed within the comfort zone of the United squad, playing around 20 games a season, travelling across Europe to top up his Champions League appearances and no doubt picking a medal or two along the way. But the former Leeds striker wanted more, coming to the conclusion he just wanted to play regularly at a time when he was at his lowest ebb and staring premature retirement in the face. Smith was out for more than a year after breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle. Although he had the best treatment and rehabilitation on offer at United, he knew he would have to quit the club to be truly satisfied. He said: 'This time last year it was still in the balance whether I'd play again, so to be going back as Newcastle captain is something I'd dared not dream about. 'It would have been easier to stay there as I had two-and-ahalf years left on my contract and I was getting good money. But this career doesn't last forever. I don't know how much satisfaction I would have got from that. 'The challenge of playing week in, week out and testing yourself is what this life's all about. 'When I broke my leg I thought to myself that, if I ever did get back fit, I wanted to be playing regularly. I missed 13 months and when you're not playing you realise what you're missing. As soon as I did it, deep down, I knew I needed to be playing.' Smith was ostracised by Leeds fans for crossing the Pennine divide to join United in May 2004, but he insists he has no regrets about his time there. If any player can handle criticism from Newcastle fans, it is Smith, the man handed the captain's armband before Allardyce's departure. Asked if it was worth the stick from Leeds fans, Smith was typically forthright. 'Yes,' he said. 'I've got a Premiership winner's medal. I had an experience you wouldn't get at any other club. When the chance arises to go there it's difficult to turn it down. I enjoyed every minute, other than the moment at Anfield when I broke my leg. 'I was fortunate at Leeds. I was there when we were in Europe and also when we were relegated, so I've been at both ends of the scale and for a young lad, as I was then, that keeps you in good stead. ' Everyone knows how passionate the fans are here. When you drive down the street, everyone's got a Newcastle shirt on. That's what it's all about and I wouldn't change that for the world. 'People might be having a go when you're not playing well but there's no better place to be than on a football field when they're all behind you. Would I rather have unpleasantness than boredom? Of course. Nobody wants boredom, do they? I'd rather have 52,000 people having a go at you than having empty seats.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontoon 0 Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 Now with FCA out Smith might actually play up front. He was, is, never will be a defensive midfielder but Allardyce is so fucking thick/stubborn he would "rarely" play him in his best position up front Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 31600 Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 Fantastic attitude, pity he has been shit all season. Hopefully the new man can get the best out of him and the rest of the underperformers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassplayerjj 0 Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 Maybe our next manager has some sense and will sell the useless cunt to the smoggies in the summer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maestro7 0 Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 Maybe our next manager has some sense and will sell the useless cunt to the smoggies in the summer Yawn, Yawn Fuckin Yawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Maybe our next manager has some sense and will sell the useless cunt to the smoggies in the summer Seconded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RlCO 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 You've got to laugh at the Smogs haven't you. "I'd rather be absolutely abused than play in a mauselium." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knackers 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 I pity the blind, its about time you fukers woke up, NO DECENT FOOTBALLER AND I REPEAT NO decent players will want to come to this club untill it has settled down and the wankers that are destroying it HAVE REALISED THAT WE HAVE NO GOD GIVEN RIGHT TO BE A TOP 6 CLUB .....WE ARE NOT A BIG CLUB.... WE HAVE A BIG SUPPORT ,SO FUK...does that make us a BIG CLUB... we have had a few decent seasons under Kev and Bob but that has been it since Joe Harvey was manager in the early 70s take it beyond Joe and it was the 50s....what the fuk makes you think we are an attractive prospect for any so called decent manager? 50000 fans that scream for your blood every week,wanting the early 90s back..i have watched Newcastle for the best part of 40 yr and the current state of the club is as good as it has been in my life time, billionair owner ,great ground,500000 every home game(even though most cant see past keegan) rant rant rant fuk u all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Patrokles Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 I pity the blind, its about time you fukers woke up, NO DECENT FOOTBALLER AND I REPEAT NO decent players will want to come to this club untill it has settled down and the wankers that are destroying it HAVE REALISED THAT WE HAVE NO GOD GIVEN RIGHT TO BE A TOP 6 CLUB .....WE ARE NOT A BIG CLUB.... WE HAVE A BIG SUPPORT ,SO FUK...does that make us a BIG CLUB... we have had a few decent seasons under Kev and Bob but that has been it since Joe Harvey was manager in the early 70s take it beyond Joe and it was the 50s....what the fuk makes you think we are an attractive prospect for any so called decent manager? 50000 fans that scream for your blood every week,wanting the early 90s back..i have watched Newcastle for the best part of 40 yr and the current state of the club is as good as it has been in my life time, billionair owner ,great ground,500000 every home game(even though most cant see past keegan) rant rant rant fuk u all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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