Smudge

[Sam Kelly's Left Boot]

2 hours ago, mr.hobblesworth said:

By my reckoning, he's missed 9 games in 7 years. Hope there's a testimonial at the end of this for him.

What a machine.

[andy jones]

Pinch me, I must be dreaming!!

[Birches Head Fred]

Well that's next seasons player of the year sorted.

[The French Connection]

2 hours ago, darren1810 said:

There's a 3rd reincarnation 

Does he have 1971 in his avatar now? 

[darren1810]

Just now, The French Connection said:

Does he have 1971 in his avatar now? 

Yes VFIA Breadwinner and Vale1971.

The blokes a legend with his passion and team selections. 

[Fosse69]

A Thread for Smudge. I have moved other posts to the Retained List Thread. Thanks

[Guitar Ray]

20 minutes ago, darren1810 said:

Yes VFIA Breadwinner and Vale1971.

The blokes a legend with his passion and team selections. 

It’s my belief that Vale1971 is a ChatGPT generated clone of VFIA.  Not sure about Breadwinner, possibly genetically engineered, in a Petri dish. VFIA is the only legend here.

[Platty's Tassels]

Delighted with this news.

[Loggerheads Sage]

That stat by Mr H is astounding for a physical,  aggressive centre half. 

Great news vale, give us some more

[boslemportvale91]

Great news. 

Wozza and Pett next please 

[ginginator]

Spoke to him yesterday afternoon, very polite and I mentioned Saturdays win " About time" was the response. With a big smile. Not in a funny way, just showed it was wanted.

[JRC]

The problem with Smith signing a new contract is it is so self-evidently a good thing it leads to almost no discussion.  Most important player in the squad and he's still getting better. You can make a case for and against all the other out of contract players; not Smith. Shown incredible loyalty as he could easily have signed a contract elsewhere. As a pure defender I haven't seen anyone better in league 1.

[ginginator]

10 minutes ago, JRC said:

The problem with Smith signing a new contract is it is so self-evidently a good thing it leads to almost no discussion.  Most important player in the squad and he's still getting better. You can make a case for and against all the other out of contract players; not Smith. Shown incredible loyalty as he could easily have signed a contract elsewhere. As a pure defender I haven't seen anyone better in league 1.

Been local helps, others may wish a move or a change anyway. 

Lots of players these days will follow the money, well most 🙂 

Main thing is we get a team that is together, that plays with their heart to do the best you can.

League 1 we do need better players, but if they dont want it, then no team. 

Look at Spurs, so many examples of bad performances, when things go wrong.

With Nathan you can see that he always wants it personally, whilst helping the team.

 

[valeparklife]

He's a winner. And I love him for that.

Great news!

[darren1810]

2014–15[63]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2015–16[64]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2016–17[65]	League One	46	4	3	0	1	0	3[a]	1	53	5
2017–18[66]	League Two	46	1	3	0	1	0	4[a]	0	54	1
2018–19[67]	League Two	44	0	1	0	1	0	5[a]	0	51	0
2019–20[68]	League Two	34	5	3	0	1	0	3[a]	0	41	5
2020–21[69]	League Two	44	4	1	0	1	0	4[a]	0	50	4
2021–22[70]	League Two	44	2	3	0	1	0	5

0 53 2 2022–23^[71] League One 43 3 1 0 1 0 2^[a] 0 47 3

 

Was he injured 19/20 Season ? Can't ever recall him being injured.

He's a virtual ever present now for the last 7 seasons.

Of course he has his limitations, i've been critical of the decision at times to use him as a ball playing defender , totally alien to him and his weakest part of his game by a mile. 

If you want someone to get stuck in, do the hard graft, the ugly bits, he's the top man.

Over the years he's come up against some brutes like Akinfenwa, Hanson , Rhead , Bishop etc. He loves it. Can't wait to go toe to toe with them.

And also seems a model professional, has he ever been involved in anything controversial ( other than his red card battles with opponents ) .  The answer is an emphatic no. He let's his attitude do the talking on the pitch .