Championship - Smith reveals Newcastle meeting

Eurosport - Mon, 02 Nov 09:34:00 2009

Ahead of Newcastle's trip to Sheffield United, Magpies skipper Alan Smith has lifted the lid on how the players revived the club's fortunes in the summer.

2009-10 Championship Newcastle United Alan Smith - 0

The city of Newcastle was left in a state of shock when the club slipped out of the Premier League and the signs for life in the Championship were not good when they were thumped by Leyton Orient in a pre-season friendly.

Smith claims the mauling by Leyton Orient proved to be the final straw for the senior stars, who called a meeting to tell the wantaway players that they were no longer wanted.

The likes of Obafemi Martins, Habib Beye, Sebastien Bassong and Damien Duff were sold in the summer and Michael Owen left on a free.

The transformation in fortunes has been remarkable as Newcastle are flying high in the Championship and Smith claims there is tremendous unity in the squad.

"We came back in the summer and no-one knew what was going on in terms of could players be sold," Smith told the Daily Mirror. "Certain players were making it clear they wanted to leave but the club said no-one was going to be sold. That was the most difficult time.

"We went to Leyton Orient and it was a disaster. But everything came to a head. It was clear that five or six of the players wanted to leave, which was fair enough. We had a meeting when we came back from the game - just us players.

"We said whoever wants to leave, they can leave, and we'll help them to go. Whoever wants to stay then commit yourself to stay. That's where we are now. That was a massive turning point. In a way getting that bad result was the best thing that could have happened. It was what needed to happen.

"It was one of the strangest things ever. We were managing ourselves. Chris knew that we were having that meeting and he stood back and let us sort things out.

"There was never a chance that I would be one of the ones asking to go. I needed to play regular football. That's what I've missed for the last three seasons. You just want to play. I was 29 on Wednesday so I can't afford to miss any more games. I never feel any twinge of regret. I wanted to stay."

Eurosport

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  1. im happy smudge still play for newcastle,he's a­ quality player. you dont get many players like­ smudge.he only go down when hacked...and he is a good­ captin.. just watch him play tonight 90percent of the­ time he gets the ball when tackling and they fall down­ like theve been hacked.....he lift the team up when­ they are lacking just like steven taylor......he also­ make a good captin.....smudge is a good holding­ midfielder......come on magoies 3-1 to the­ magpies..........

    From Thomas, on Mon 2 Nov 6:30PM

  2. I'm pleased smudge is still here and got the­ armband cos there's a few more who deserve it but­ wot'll mek my day is when i see him banging in the­ goals we all know he's capable of... howay smudge­ youth dee it for the hoodystoon. 3-1 the neet for the­ lads:p

    From hoodystoon, on Mon 2 Nov 5:26PM

  3. I'm pleased smudge is still here and got the­ armband cos there's a few more who deserve it but­ wot'll mek my day is when i see him banging in the­ goals we all know he's capable of... howay smudge­ youth dee it for the hoodystoon. 3-1 the neet for the­ lads:p

    From hoodystoon, on Mon 2 Nov 5:25PM

  4. go to nufc,com & see the full interview with smudge­ - quite interesting & honest statements

    From CARL, on Mon 2 Nov 4:06PM

  5. Good to see alan smith sorting things out (so much for­ managment)the sooner Ashley & co have gone the­ better,you cant wipe out history.

    Golfer

    From twj41, on Mon 2 Nov 3:54PM

  6. Ian, you really should keep of that white powder you­ doughnut.

    Grasp your ears firmly and pull; you might­ just be able to remove your head from you @#$%.

    From Bobby Robson A Legend, on Mon 2 Nov 3:08PM

  7. Hughton just sat back and left them to it. Surely as­ caretaker boss that was his job. And we've made him­ the manager... Chris is a lovely guy but he's a­ "yes" man to Ashley and not manager material.­ Even Keane, McCarthy, Phil Brown and Coppell looked­ awesome as managers in this league. Making Hughton the­ manager is gonna cause more problems. Still, who would­ want to come and manage our club with Ashley at the­ helm? I'd still take Venables or Shearer but­ they'll never come whislt that idiot holds our­ deeds.

    From Clint.Magnum, on Mon 2 Nov 2:26PM

  8. Ian.

    You dont even make sense you moronic crackhead.­ Newcastle 3 Sheff utd 2 ive put a tenner on it. COME­ ON!!!!!!

    From Tony K, on Mon 2 Nov 1:57PM

  9. Good on you smudger. Yourself , Nolan and both the­ Taylors have been outstanding so far Keep it up lads

    From R G, on Mon 2 Nov 1:43PM

  10. Who's a turd Ian.

    From Richard C, on Mon 2 Nov 1:32PM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    see you are turd now

    only way is up baby, you aint­ going up.

    Tony K tenner Sheff utd 3 0

    you­ @#$%.................

    From Ian, on Mon 2 Nov 12:22PM

  12. hahahahaha your right there

    From Richard C, on Mon 2 Nov 12:18PM

  13. just a shame we did'nt get the cash we should have­ for the s @#$% that left.

    From fromafar14, on Mon 2 Nov 9:51AM
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