Smudge

[ChuckNor]

This is a ridiculous thread and exactly why closed door pre-season friendlies should stay completely behind closed doors. He had a few dodgy kicks. It’s a pre season friendly, all about getting a bit of rust out the way. Shouldn’t be criticizing players at this time unless they look ridiculously unfit.

[tonyrougier123]

We rocketed up the table when smudge got the gloves, had a very good season in the sticks. Distributes ball well, switched on and if protected by his defence is exactly the type of keeper we need. Also a top top lad! Think folk starting threads in pre season like this need to have a think. So unnecessary and negative. You’re about to watch hibs in Europe and a massive part of that is us changing from Bursik to Smith midway. If your a “mature” hibby you’ll know exactly what a bad keeper looks like in goal, Smith definitely isn’t one all attributes considered.

[Ship of Hope]

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We rocketed up the table when smudge got the gloves, had a very good season in the sticks. Distributes ball well, switched on and if protected by his defence is exactly the type of keeper we need. Also a top top lad! Think folk starting threads in pre season like this need to have a think. So unnecessary and negative. You’re about to watch hibs in Europe and a massive part of that is us changing from Bursik to Smith midway. If your a “mature” hibby you’ll know exactly what a bad keeper looks like in goal, Smith definitely isn’t one all attributes considered.

👍

[He's here!]

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I really don't get it.

Smith confounded all expectations last season and played a key role in not only salvaging it but turning it into one of the best we've had in many a year.

Said it yesterday, but I get the impression some people are a bit snooty about him because he's perceived to be some sort of journeyman/reserve keeper who had a lucky streak.

His pedigree is actually pretty decent. He was Forest's No 1 for a sustained spell and the Forest fans I've seen commenting on him seemed to reckon he was a good player. It's not just his ability that's important, it's the fact you can see his team-mates are confident with him behind them and he's a popular member of the squad. Team spirit's a hugely valuable asset.

Goalkeeping's a position where, if your confidence takes a knock, you can seriously struggle no matter who you are. Witness Jim Leighton or Craig Gordon (who people tend to forget was out of the game for two years, primarily down to injury but he was also battling confidence issues).

Smith's not had the career those two have obviously but we should be celebrating unearthing something of a hidden gem without having to pay a fee, rather than finding ways to belittle him.

Good summary. Bizarre negativity from some about a player who who's been a standout for us.

[dangermouse]

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Don’t mind getting beat in preseason friendlies,gets mistakes rectified & shows upstairs where we’re lacking so hopefully sways them to step up the player intake

Sometimes a good thing as it highlights weaknesses that need to be worked upon rather than discovering them in a competitive game

[tamig]

OP lobs in controversial post then disappears without trace. No surprise.

[WestStandWillie]

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Not one of your better afternoons .
Was previously impressed with your performances after you came into the team last season and hope yesterday was a one off .
Young keeper played well when he came on stopped a few chances

Wow. What a load of tripe.

It was the 2nd game of pre season FFS.

Immaturehibby more like.

[allezsauzee]

it's an odd person that would want to dismiss the evidence of 28 competitive games where we were beaten only once by a team that wasn't Celtic and instead go with 45 minutes of a closed doors friendly when assessing a keeper.

[B.H.F.C]

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it's an odd person that would want to dismiss the evidence of 28 competitive games where we were beaten only once by a team that wasn't Celtic and instead go with 45 minutes of a closed doors friendly when assessing a keeper.

How about if opinions were formed over those 28 games as well though?

[Forza Fred]

He did play the ball to them and they ran up the park to score one, but other than that, don’t think he deserves much criticism at all.

Ajax were super clinical in picking their spot while our defenders laid off them and gave them the opportunity to put it in the net.

[Donegal Hibby]

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How about if opinions were formed over those 28 games as well though?

Over the 28 games there are far more positives to take to form an opinion than there are negatives ones which his stats clearly show in he was undoubtedly one of the top keepers in our league and a big part of our success last season as well.

[NAE NOOKIE]

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Over the 28 games there are far more positives to take to form an opinion than there are negatives ones which his stats clearly show in he was undoubtedly one of the top keepers in our league and a big part of our success last season as well.

Indeed. The guy has done nothing that would justify dropping him. But the other side of that coin is that clubs like Hibs don't pay £300,000 for a keeper without intending him to be a starter.

It's been mentioned on here a number of times that if the club want's to move forward and be successful there can't be any room for sentiment. If SDG thinks Sallinger is the best option, not based on pre season, but on his record and performances in Austrian football, then he'll be our starter. Not a reflection on Smith, who has proved his worth and will be a more than capable No2.

[Donegal Hibby]

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Indeed. The guy has done nothing that would justify dropping him. But the other side of that coin is that clubs like Hibs don't pay £300,000 for a keeper without intending him to be a starter.

It's been mentioned on here a number of times that if the club want's to move forward and be successful there can't be any room for sentiment. If SDG thinks Sallinger is the best option, not based on pre season, but on his record and performances in Austrian football, then he'll be our starter. Not a reflection on Smith, who has proved his worth and will be a more than capable No2.

Was it as much as £300k we paid for Sallinger ?

[NAE NOOKIE]

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Was it as much as £300k we paid for Sallinger ?

I won't say I did extensive research But the first source I could find on Google put it at 400,000 Euros, which is ballpark £300K

[Hibernian Verse]

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Was it as much as £300k we paid for Sallinger ?

Surprising money for a No.2 wouldn't you say?

[hibsbollah]

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Surprising money for a No.2 wouldn't you say?

It depends if he looks like Mr Neuer 2.0 or Mr Polo Mints for hands. If its the former, he’ll get the gloves.
We’ll find out shortly.

[B.H.F.C]

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Indeed. The guy has done nothing that would justify dropping him. But the other side of that coin is that clubs like Hibs don't pay £300,000 for a keeper without intending him to be a starter.

It's been mentioned on here a number of times that if the club want's to move forward and be successful there can't be any room for sentiment. If SDG thinks Sallinger is the best option, not based on pre season, but on his record and performances in Austrian football, then he'll be our starter. Not a reflection on Smith, who has proved his worth and will be a more than capable No2.

I think Smith did us a really good turn last season but I can also see why we think we can improve on him. I think there’s a bit middle ground to be had between thinking he in no way deserves to be dropped and thinking he’s rubbish. IMO, neither position is the case but I think it’s a position we can improve.

We’ll find out in a fortnight what Gray’s thinking is. I think Sallinger will play, I just don’t think Hibs spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on a second choice keeper. Have also read a lot about how nobody is really in possession of the jersey and whatever, but managers sign players with a clear intention on whether they’ll play or not all the time. I think Gray will already know what way he’s going and whatever happened on Saturday, or what happens on Wednesday or whenever won’t make too much difference.

[hibsbollah]

Got to love the gadgie.
https://youtu.be/y9KbhMqt9bE

[maturehibby]

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Wow. What a load of tripe.

It was the 2nd game of pre season FFS.

Immaturehibby more like.

Have attended ER as a boy man and now a old timer and think I have seen my fair and not so fair share of Hibs goalies coming through the ranks and if I was to put them in order Smith would not be in the top ten .
If you read what I said I complimented his performances when he came into the team and as a person who played as a goalie in my younger days granted not to premier level
I think that his positioning vAjax if in a game here we would have lost a couple of goals.
My opinion only.and as far as I know I'm entitled to put it on the blog .and over the many years I have been on this forum have never felt it necessary to make derogatory
comments on any other poster

[superfurryhibby]

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How about if opinions were formed over those 28 games as well though?

Such is the feel good factor associated with the second half of last season that a discouraging word is triggering.

There's middle ground in every discussion. We could critically appraise every Hibs player and find room for improvement, some more than others tbf.
Smith exceeded expectations and did a fine job. He has to be considered to be a very good signing, especially good when you consider value for money.

Players performance levels vary game to game and across a team. The better players perform to higher standard week in-week out. Hibs probably don't have that many of those guys. Perhaps Iredale, Boyle and Triantis could claim that they mostly performed near the peak of their abilities consistently. Players like Cadden N, Rocky, came close, with others like Smith, Miller, Cadden C, Hoilett, Gayle, Obita, were good overall (Miller more so at RCB).

I see areas of the team which need improvement more than others. As you say, based on not just one game. RWB, CF and GK are where we would elevate our performance levels if we could improve (on Smith, Myko and Cadden C).

It's possible to like Smith and feel that is an area to improve on. It's also entirely possible that Smith can elevate his game this coming season. he's not played much football for a good few years before he came into the first team. Further development is possible.

[HoboHarry]

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Have attended ER as a boy man and now a old timer and think I have seen my fair and not so fair share of Hibs goalies coming through the ranks and if I was to put them in order Smith would not be in the top ten .
If you read what I said I complimented his performances when he came into the team and as a person who played as a goalie in my younger days granted not to premier level
I think that his positioning vAjax if in a game here we would have lost a couple of goals.
My opinion only.and as far as I know I'm entitled to put it on the blog .and over the many years I have been on this forum have never felt it necessary to make derogatory
comments on any other poster

Out of interest, what would your top 10 be?

[Allant1981]

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Have attended ER as a boy man and now a old timer and think I have seen my fair and not so fair share of Hibs goalies coming through the ranks and if I was to put them in order Smith would not be in the top ten .
If you read what I said I complimented his performances when he came into the team and as a person who played as a goalie in my younger days granted not to premier level
I think that his positioning vAjax if in a game here we would have lost a couple of goals.
My opinion only.and as far as I know I'm entitled to put it on the blog .and over the many years I have been on this forum have never felt it necessary to make derogatory
comments on any other poster

You also stated the young keeper that came on done well, we didn't play a young keeper. There was no need to single out just smith IMO when next to none of them played particularly well

[superfurryhibby]

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You also stated the young keeper that came on done well, we didn't play a young keeper. There was no need to single out just smith IMO when next to none of them played particularly well

That young keeper is close to 30

I suppose it's all relative.

[Donegal Hibby]

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Got to love the gadgie.
https://youtu.be/y9KbhMqt9bE

Thanks for that . Smudge really comes across as a top guy as well as being a top keeper too who played an important part in our success last season …

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...linger-5212338

[Smartie]

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Surprising money for a No.2 wouldn't you say?

We probably paid a fair whack in loan fees for Bursik to watch Smith play last season.

Only contentious part of Smith taking over from Bursik ended up being that it didn’t happen sooner.

Pros and cons to both Salinger and Smith, the better goalkeeper plays and the other always has the possibility of coming in if the incumbent’s performance level drops.

[Hibiza]

What does his Ma think.

[ancient hibee]

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Out of interest, what would your top 10 be?

Seeing he hasn’t answered you this mature Hibee will give you his.

Goram
Leslie
Younger
Rough
Leighton
Marciano
Herriot
Marshall
Allan
Andersson

[BILLYHIBS]

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Got to love the gadgie.
https://youtu.be/y9KbhMqt9bE

Fascinating watch a must watch for every Hibby

[Donegal Hibby]

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Have attended ER as a boy man and now a old timer and think I have seen my fair and not so fair share of Hibs goalies coming through the ranks and if I was to put them in order Smith would not be in the top ten .
If you read what I said I complimented his performances when he came into the team and as a person who played as a goalie in my younger days granted not to premier level
I think that his positioning vAjax if in a game here we would have lost a couple of goals.
My opinion only.and as far as I know I'm entitled to put it on the blog .and over the many years I have been on this forum have never felt it necessary to make derogatory
comments on any other poster

There was nothing wrong with his positioning in any of them as the shots were all well placed and some hit with a fair bit of power . Some of the defending wasn’t great on them but seeing as it was only our 2nd pre-season game which is about fitness and getting the players sharp I think it’s really harsh to be pointing fingers at any of the players at all …

Blaming the keeper for his positioning is a classic . What if I said to you that if Salinger had been a little further to his left maybe he would have saved the 6th goal as he’s 6’5 , positioning again? . You blamed one keeper and praised the other and yet one faced a quality team near full strength and the other what was basically a reserve one . I think a bit of common sense is needed regarding the type of game it was , teams we played etc ..

[O'Rourke3]

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Seeing he hasn’t answered you this mature Hibee will give you his.

Goram
Leslie
Younger
Rough
Leighton
Marciano
Herriot
Marshall
Allan
Andersson

Too young too see three of those play for us but would add Bogdan to that list. Mike McDonald next. Smudge would.be pretty close for that last spot.

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