Praise rightly given to Smithy

Paul Hart has, and for me rightly so, given some praise to Tommy Smith after he gave another fantastic display against Wolves last weekend.

In an article titled 'diamonds are the blues' best friend' on The Pompey Site, where Hart firstly spoke about the diamond midfield system used against Wolves - giving credit to those that played in it - he then went onto praise Smith for his 'tireless' effort since his arrival from Watford: 'Tommy's tireless. You look at his figures and his work-rate is phenomenal.

'I think he's been excellent since he's come here.'

I cannot disagree with Hart at all and think that this praise is richly deserved - I admit that I was not convinced by Smith's signing, but he has justified his arrival, not only in his tremendous work-rate but also with his quality, which is certainly of a much higher quality than I expect to be honest!

It could still be good, in my thinking, for Smith to be pushed further up the field if possible as I do feel that he could offer a serious goal threat, but then again we would miss the other qualities that he is offering us perhaps? So I guess it is a case of swings and roundabouts.

I am still amazed though at the thoughts some people have shared, or have at least 'said' to have shared, as I have not heard this, with The Quay recently about Smith and how they feel he should be out of the side - clearly they are not watching the same games, if they are watching at all...

In the same article Hart also spoke about Steve Finnan: 'you saw the calmness and reassurance that Steve gives to the back four. I thought he was faultless.

'It buys a little bit of time for Anthony Vanden Borre to continue his progress. When we bring in players from abroad the Premier League is a million miles away from what they're used to.

'At times this season they've been flung in immediately when in an ideal world you'd ease them through.'

Clearly Finnan was a bit off the pace a little, but all in all he showed just why I feel he could be an important player for us - we just need him to stay injury free!

If he can do this we not only have a good defensive player we also have another good attacking outlet on the right hand side as he will get up and down the pitch offering good service to the attacking players.

PLAY UP POMPEY!

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