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Starting XI
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You can go to the BBC website where there is currently a vote on the topic of whether 19 year-old Tommy Smith of Ipswich Town in the Championship should take up Ricki Herbert's offer to join the All Whites squad for next year's World Cup.
Tommy is eligible because much of his childhood was spent in NZ, (between the ages of 8 and 16) though he was born in England and returned there to play for Ipswich and age-group football for England a few years ago.
Click on this link, register on the BBC site (top of page) and place your vote on what Tommy should do- and post a comment  too if you like:
 
Latest British media reports on Ricki Herbert's quest to secure Tommy for the All Whites here (also see the 19 comments below the article):
 
and from The Ipswich Evening Star:
 
Tommy's Wikipedia page (informative):
 
A 2007 NZ Herald story on Tommy's youth career in NZ on the North Shore, how he was spotted by Ipswich while playing for Westlake Boys, his initial trials and signing full pro terms in 2007:
 
 
Tommy has made 11 first team appearances for The Tractor Boys (9 so far this season) since his debut on 9/8/08. He was  short-listed for the Wickes Trophy (best youth player in the Championship) last year.
 
 Roy Keane is his manager and a factor which could tip Tommy towards the All Whites is that Roy and Ricki Herbert know eachother from being on the same UEFA A elite coaching course in 2008. Indeed, Roy even visited these shores as Ricki's guest to check out the All Blacks' training methods as part of his course...
 
 
Big Pete 652010-06-30 05:55:58
'The Scoop'
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SMITH NOW A KILLER BEE:
Tommy is now two weeks into a one month loan spell at Brentford (who regularly take surplus Ipswich players). Brentford are known as "the Bees"- maybe that's an improvement on Ipswich who are known as "the Tractor Boys"!!!  Apparently Brentford had been admiring him for some time. See:
 
"Meet Tommy Smith" interview on the Brentford FC website (& nice pic of him signing his loan forms):
 
Apparently Tommy missed most of last season with a broken ankle- and this season a broken wrist has kept him out since October after a run of ten appearances at the start of the season. Sees his strengths as: "I am an uncompromising ball-playing central defender who can use his height to good effect."
Brentford interviewer actually reminds us that All Whites assistant Brian Turner is a "former Bee."
Brian played I think about 100 games for Brentford in the early seventies after originally being on Chelsea's books. The first Kiwi to play pro football in the UK...
 
Tommy made his Brentford debut on the weekend (later than scheduled due to the atrocious weather) in the 3-1 home win over Carlisle. Bees supporters unanimously gave him the thumbs-up and say he slotted in well and looked like he'd played for them all season. 
See the major Brentford fans' site on the game. (You might have to register to view the prolific forum discussions on Tommy): http://www.griffinpark.org/
 
Tommy was cup-tied for this morning's 0-1 FA Cup loss to Doncaster.
 
 
Big Pete 652010-01-20 20:00:35
Starting XI
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"TOMMY SMITH IS THE NEXT JOHN TERRY"
At least according to a former team-mate, Hereford striker Jordan Rhodes, who goes on to describe Tommy as "An old-fashioned centre-half who wins everything in the air and has a good turn of pace."
 
He's generally impressing everyone at Brentford after two starts now in League One. Tommy played the whole game in the weekend's 1-1 draw with Southampton and was part of a defence which kept the opposition's highly-rated attacking resources in check.
Big Pete 652010-01-28 03:53:34
Appiah without the pace
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Let hope he doesn't mess around with teammate's gfs like John Terry does. . . .
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about 17 years
brentford drew 1-1 today with Wycombe. 90 mins for Smith
Appiah without the pace
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Lost 2-1 overnight away to Walsall.  Played a full 90.
Starting XI
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btw - Smith's loan to Brentford has been extended until April, although Keane has included a 24 hour recall clause in the agreement. SOunds like he is playing well and regularly for Brentford but that keane also keen not to extend his leash too far. Good news.
Starting XI
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Well we are starting to get enough solid defensive options now with him. It would be great to get Reid as well. With enough striking power up front, my main concern is the make up and sustainability of the midfield at World Cup Level. As I see it, having the defensive sorted, some of these players can move to make a solid defensive midfield depending on strategy like having Manny Muscut and Vince Lia in the Nix.
Marquee
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Defence is terrific except the gigantic hole at right back
Starting XI
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Oska wrote:
Defence is terrific except the gigantic hole at right back


Another reason why Reid should come back and be our number one RB. It is a gap waiting to be filled by him and noone else. I would hate feel stuck at 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 just because we have to. I like have 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 in hand as a valid field strategy option.
Marquee
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Appiah without the pace
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Pulled back to Ipswich for rest of season. That stint at Brentford sounds like it did him good. Lots of football and did a good job by all reports.
It will be interesting to see if he gets the nod to start now - and if he's going to come up against killer or fallon in next few weeks.
Bevan
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seems like a decent young kid. has a bright future one thinks.
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Sounds like he's going to get some decent game time... hope he goes well and cements a spot.
WeeNix
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Unused sub in the game that has just finished, Ipswich Town's loss to Watford. He was going to play but Damien Delaney's suspension was successfully appealed before the game.
Starting XI
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yeah that sucked! he got recalled from Brentford where he was going great guns when delaney got the red and was set to start. anyway, at least he's been playing regular football over the past few weeks, and playing well by all reports, and hopefully he'll get his opportunity in the starting XI at ipswich again soon.
Appiah without the pace
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over 16 years
Was in the match day squad but didn't get any game time.  They beat Barsley 1-0.
Starting XI
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about 17 years
after they lost at home to Plymouth i thought he might get a start this weekend, especially as the other spare central defender has been loaned out, but sounds like they will give the same defensive pairing the benefit of the doubt ...
 
"Delaney seems unlikely to lose his place despite his error on the first goal against Plymouth, although Tommy Smith will be standing by to take over from the Irishman alongside Gareth McAuley if Keane decides on making a change. Liam Rosenior could be in line to come in for David Wright at right-back."
Marius Lacatus2010-03-27 15:09:31
First Team Squad
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c'mon Keane why bring him back if your not gonna play him!!
Early retirement
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Because the player he was brought back to cover (Delaney) had his suspension overturned.
First Team Squad
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almost 17 years
yeah I know but just sh*ts me that he could be playing full 90s for Brentford but instead he sit's on his arse for full 90s for Ipswich. 
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wonder how things will change if roy keane gets the chop.... phil_style2010-03-30 02:33:55
Appiah without the pace
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Unused sub this morning.  Ipswich won 2-1 and are looking at a mid table finish.
Starting XI
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got on park in 74th min today. 3-1 win
dont know if came on for injury or if an openibg for him in starting XI
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Early retirement
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Lost 3-0.  Smith on 54th minute for Delaney who looks to be gone for the last few games.
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Good news for tommy ahead of WC:
 

The Blues boss says Damien Delaney�s ankle injury may force him to miss the season�s remaining games: "It looks a sore one. He will have a scan on Monday but it looks as though there is ligament damage and that means he could be out for the rest of the season.�

Delaney�s possible absence could give Tommy Smith a run of games ahead of joining up with New Zealand�s squad for the World Cup.

Starting XI
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With the most misleading article title ever.
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With three games to go... he wont miss any All White build up matches!!

It will be good for him though... him and Vicelich must be battling for the nod along Siggy and Nelsen for the centre back role.
First Team Squad
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If anything I think Smith will be put on the left over Lochy. 
First Team Squad
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Played the full 90 in a 1 all draw v Donny Rovers
Appiah without the pace
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another full 90m in a 2-2 draw with Noocastle.  No mention of him in the write up.

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