Talking Point: Smith Midfield Role
Smith: Mixed Views On A Midfield Role
Blurred role: Smith has been suggested as an ideal long-term replacement for Roy Keane.
Your Shout: Is Smith A Future Reds Midfielder?
MU.tv Feature: Is Roy Keane Irreplaceable?
Desire, determination, commitment to the cause and an inclination for making 50/50 crunching tackles. All have been attributed to United captain Roy Keane at one stage or another during his Reds career.
In recent months, however, Reds have witnessed a player with tenacity not unlike the Irish midfielder’s almost pugnacious approach to the game.
A case in point arrived in the recent match with Fulham: Cottagers defender Sylvain Legwinski looked in very little danger inside his own penalty area, but as he shaped to clear the ball he was dispossessed by an brutally direct tackle from Alan Smith. The Reds forward went on to finish neatly.
Sir Alex Ferguson said after the game: " Players like Henry, Ronaldinho or Ronaldo can make goals by beating men. But to create a goal with a tackle is incredible."
Smith has fast become a fans´ favourite at Old Trafford. But his dedicated approach has instigated a common notion that Smith could perhaps take over from Keane in the pivotal holding midfield role.
The idea has clearly entered Sir Alex Ferguson’s thoughts; midfield slots against Crewe, Birmingham and Lyon this season are evidence of that. As you would expect, Smith would play at left-back and still give every ounce of effort.
" I think if you can play in a number of positions it does help you and it can help the manager," he said recently. " I have enjoyed playing in the centre of midfield when asked to. Playing alongside Roy Keane was great - they don´t get much better than him."
But, could he eventually usurp United’s skipper and emerge as the Reds’ next midfield driving force? Here, three former United players join in the discussion…
Frank Stapleton: United Striker 1981-1987
The idea has been mentioned that Alan Smith can go in the centre of midfield – I don’t think it is there.
People look at it and think that because he is such a good tackler and gets stuck in, he can do a job in midfield. Being able to tackle as a forward is different to what it takes to play in midfield.
As Roy Keane did at the top of his game, you want a dynamic midfielder that will give the team a lot of energy, win you the ball and be able to start passing moves and then get into the box to support the team going forward. At the top of his game, Roy Keane was doing everything – all of those roles in midfield.
I don’t think that comes naturally to Alan Smith. He will work hard, and if you ask him to go and do that job he won’t let you down. But, in the long-term I don’t think it is right.
The question is: Where is the manager going to find somebody as influential as Roy Keane? What he perhaps has to do is bring in somebody that could eventually get there. When Roy Keane first came here, he had a good reputation from his time with Nottingham Forest, but he became a much more rounded player after joining United.
Smith In Midfield? Verdict: No. Alan Smith’s committed style attracts people to say he can do the job on a regular basis. He’s never let anyone down and he has proved he can do a job in a midfield role. But all his natural instincts are as a front player.
Wilf McGuinness: United Midfielder 1955-1960
He´s a very talented player and, for me, he´s been one of our players of the season so far. He´s just a great player to have in the team because he´s always involved in the game.
I think it would be a good idea to have a look at him in midfield; whenever he comes on the field he always gives absolutely everything and that is an important ingredient.
His tackling is spot on and he has a similar passion displayed by Roy Keane down the years at Old Trafford.
It is a crucial position. Sometimes when we play 4-4-2 we can get overrun in midfield. Ronaldo needs to try and hold onto the ball a bit more because we´ve got caught out in midfield when he´s lost possession in the past. So the five in midfield is certainly an option, and Smith could fit into that.
Smith In Midfield? Verdict: Yes. I think it´s well worth a try to play Smith in midfield. He´s capable of playing anywhere, whether it be upfront or out on the wing or in midfield and you know he would never let you down.
Lou Macari: United Striker 1972-1984
It´s a bit like a big centre-forward who is good in the air. People say, ‘in an emergency, play him in defence’. They go back into defence, but they don’t always have the awareness needed to be a defender. I think it is a similar situation with Alan Smith. We’ve seen him come here and show great levels of effort and commitment.
But in that midfield area, especially in the Premiership, there are players all around you and it takes a clever, specialised player to move the ball on. A Premiership midfielder has to know where the ball’s next port of call is before he has even received a pass.
People speculate about Steven Gerrard leaving Liverpool, but I doubt whether he would come here. I don’t think Liverpool would sell him to United. I´m not sure Manchester United have got the money to buy Steven Gerrard – so I think we should dismiss talk of that right away.
Others have been mentioned - Scott Parker, for example. But, nobody knows players better than the manager at the club; Mourinho hasn’t considered him. I would say that is because he is not happy with certain aspects of his play. I don’t think he’s the one for Old Trafford.
Smith In Midfield? Verdict: No. I’m not so sure Alan Smith can do it, but I am also not so sure he would want to do it either. I don’t think Alan Smith will replace Roy Keane.
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