Manny Smith off to Walsall?

[KT12 Exile]

Originally Posted by Phils-an-alki

Overrated and can be replaced. Without Pearson next to him he can be a mess. Surely if your Keates you would go for Pearson out of the two.

Do you really believe that Phil? I don't get to many games but the 3 I've seen so far this season, I thought Manny actually outshone Pearson. He does benefit from a leader next to him, but I still think he's way above average for a defender at this level and it would be a big loss if he went.

Pearson is a great player for us to have, but I have seen Manny bail him out on more than one occasion with balls over the top that he's missed or quick passing that Pearson hasn't had the pace to keep up with. Also, he was still a good defender for us in his first spell before we had a Pearson-esqe leader alongside him.

[Ooh aah Paskin]

Originally Posted by KT12 Exile

Do you really believe that Phil? I don't get to many games but the 3 I've seen so far this season, I thought Manny actually outshone Pearson. He does benefit from a leader next to him, but I still think he's way above average for a defender at this level and it would be a big loss if he went.

Pearson is a great player for us to have, but I have seen Manny bail him out on more than one occasion with balls over the top that he's missed or quick passing that Pearson hasn't had the pace to keep up with. Also, he was still a good defender for us in his first spell before we had a Pearson-esqe leader alongside him.

Meh, He had Hudson to show him the ropes then.....

[KT12 Exile]

Originally Posted by Ooh aah Paskin

Meh, He had Hudson to show him the ropes then.....

Exactly!

To clarify, I don't mean to downplay Pearson's contribution because he's a brilliant defender at this level, but I don't believe Manny is over-rated or easily replaceable.

I think Pearson is more influential at this level but of the two I think Manny would cope with League 1 better.

[michaelps]

They are like say Vidic and Rio Ferdinand or back in the day Hansen and Lawrenson, they complement each other really well. Better together than the sum of their parts, very good though both are.

It might suit us in reality if Keates was booted out of Wallsall before January

[redavid]

Originally Posted by Alan Attack

Would anyone be surprised if he’s at Walsall next season?

Why didn`t Keates come in for Him a few weeks ago ? not now the window is closed , boll===cks if you ask me .

[Connah's Quay Red]

Originally Posted by Wxm boy

Doesn't normally stop us. We love to shoot ourselves in the foot.

If we're doing well in the new year, it would hardly be out of character for us to cash in on a player. Oh and maybe let our manager walk at the same time without replacing him.

Unless Manny had a release cause that Keates knows about, I just can't see it happening.

Even if he told Ricketts he didn't want to play for the club, there's only a few months left in Jan.

We don't need the money, it wouldn't be worth it. I think the board and manager know this. Its all hypothetical at this point, but I can 90% see it happening next summer...

[KT12 Exile]

Originally Posted by redavid

Why didn`t Keates come in for Him a few weeks ago ? not now the window is closed , boll===cks if you ask me .

He might well have approached us during the window and we said no. I'd assume we will be offering new deals to Pearson and Manny in the coming months so if Pearson signs an extension and Manny doesn't, that could be an indication that he'll be off at the end of the season. You couldn't blame him if he went really. He'll be 30 at the start of next season and the opportunity for him to get back to that level will be starting to fade if we don't go up.

[TomWAFC]

I’d be offering both 2 year extensions right away, both have good fitness records, have at least 2 more seasons of their best left in them and would clearly make the cut at league 2 level.

[INTHEKNOW2000]

Originally Posted by Funny_Old_Game

How is it tosh? We literally fall to pieces if Pearson is ever missing. Smith is very good but Pearson is the key to it all. Smith can’t play without a proper leader with him.

Completely correct both are great defender at this level but Pearson is key to the whole squad he does not only Comand the defence But the voice of the gaffer on the pitch which has been shown to be working over the last season