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Smith Facing 12 Weeks Out
Friday, 16th Sep 2016 13:49

Centre-half Tommy Smith looks set to face 12 weeks on the sidelines due to surgery on the back problem which saw him miss Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Derby. Better news for the Blues is that Freddie Sears is OK after a groin strain kept him out of the trip to the iPro Stadium and Cole Skuse is over the illness bug which forced him off during the game against the Rams.

“Freddie’s all right, Freddie’s fit, he’s trained today, he’s no problem,” manager Mick McCarthy said.

“Tommy unfortunately has a problem with his back, with a disc and it looks like he’s going to require an operation to fix that.

“It’s going to be a lengthy one. He’ll get it done, we’ll get the best people doing it, it’ll probably be 12 weeks.

“We’re going to miss Tom, he came back and he was excellent in the games he played.

“It’s sad for him, but we’ve got Adam and Bez and Chambo still, so we’ve still got cover there.”

He added: “I think he’s had it before, it’s just centre-backs jumping and heading all the time, it’s a fairly long lever in the back and you end up with that.

“He just complained about it a few weeks ago, whether he’s had it before that I don’t know.

“And in the Reading game and it really started to bother him. He’s been and had it looked at and he’s got to have it sorted out.”

Regarding Skuse, who came off after 72 minutes of Tuesday’s game as he’d been suffering with flu symptoms on the morning of the match, McCarthy said: “Apparently his pulse went up to 50 when he was poorly!

"He’s remarkable. He’s trained today, he was ill and he’s had a couple of days, he’s trained and looks brand new, he’s great. Everybody else is fine, everybody’s fit.”


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BotesdaleBlue added 13:58 - Sep 16
This is a blow but of course gives Webster a real unexpected chance to establish himself and show fans what he can do.

No mention of Digby I see, who surely now has to be the main back up on the bench.

Anyway Tommy we all hope all goes well with the op and recovery and look forward to having you available again in 2017.
16

GiveusaWave added 13:58 - Sep 16
12 weeks! (and that's the optimistic assessment!) That's a lot longer than expected. Webster and Berra will need to stay injury free for a long time now. Rest up well Tommy.
5

homer_123 added 13:58 - Sep 16
Wondering if there was any news on Tommy's injury. No news is good news I suppose. Looking forward to him partnering Berra against Villa tomorrow.
-9

JackSted added 14:01 - Sep 16
Yes it is a shame but now we're going to have 12 weeks of games where we will have Berra and Webster as our centre halfs without MM changing it around every week or two. Hopefully this will cause the back 4 to gel pretty well as there won't be much rotating while Smith is out
2

paulcooperisgod added 14:05 - Sep 16
Feel sorry for Tommy but can't help wondering if this had happened last season would MM had moved CHAMBERS across to centre back and actually had a right back playing at right Back? No of course not how silly of me
7

blues1 added 14:12 - Sep 16
Homer123. Did u actually read even the headline before postiby on here. Which part of "Smith facing 12 week out is " no news"?
1

Spanishblueblood added 14:21 - Sep 16
Taxi for Homer!!
3

beornioblue added 14:42 - Sep 16
Get well soon Tommy !! Chambo in the middle and try Webster at RB .... just a thought, a ball playing defender...hmm now where could we utilise him!!!
0

hampstead_blue added 14:42 - Sep 16
I've had 13 back ops and would suggest this is a slippery slope.

Surgery is the last resort and you are never the same again.
3

planetblue_2011 added 15:01 - Sep 16
Oh no poor Smithy, just glad we have Webster.
Strange there was no mention of Digby!!
3

Surco72 added 15:07 - Sep 16
A question to supporters who went to the Derby game , were we under more pressure in first half with Skuse or second half without him ?
4

gamezone added 15:24 - Sep 16
Get well soon Tommy please ITFC needs you. This is bad news. But he will be back stronger than ever.
4

Ferguson added 15:40 - Sep 16
Get well Tom,. you'll be back to wear the armband.

SO who plays right back, who plays alongside who...?

Great opportunity for at least one of our young defenders - but I think MM should go for Webster alongside Berra especially after the Derby game . Unless injured, as MM's Captain Chambers plays right back. Knudssen on the left. Holding midfield. Two on the flanks. One up front, one tucked in behind.

No room for Freddie in my 11 I'm afraid.
1

Len_Brennan added 15:57 - Sep 16
The mention of Chambers as back up for Berra and Webster and the absence of Digby is interesting. Mick let Malarczyk, Clarke & Yorwerth all go during the summer and only added a midfielder who he is trying to convert into a centre half.
Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased to see Chambers mentioned in this way ahead of Digby, although he has looked very rusty when temporarily played in the middle of late, as he is a very decent Championship level when given a run of games.
Maybe Mick suspected that Tommy would be out for while when he gave the ex-Spurs right back, Alexander McQueen, a trial last week.
3

worker added 16:54 - Sep 16
sad about tommy...Iwould like to have seen Webster playing as a d/ holding midfielder in front of the back four
1

happybeingblue added 17:08 - Sep 16
you gotta love the SKUSE
0

muccletonjoe added 17:26 - Sep 16
Chambers will be the back up central defender should he be needed
2

jas0999 added 17:32 - Sep 16
Extremely bad news. I like Smith. This now tests are small squad. Chambers as centre half back up yes. But who will play right back? I'm not convinced about Emmanuel.
2

WorcesterBlue added 17:42 - Sep 16
Surco72 - good question. We sat back a bit and clearly Bish is not the same type of player but while Skuse was on the pitch he did his usual screening role with simple passes but without ever showing for the ball from defence, running with it or passing forward. I know many like him but he just doesn't do enough - that we haven't got a better alternative is Micks fault but personally I think many of our problems stem from here.
3

TractorBeezer added 17:44 - Sep 16
Sorry to hear the news Tommy and hope that you come back 100% pain free and fit when ready. Fortunately we have cover with Webster and Chambers.
3

Seasider added 18:37 - Sep 16
I feel sorry for Tommy as we all should.

It makes it all the more remarkable that we won at Derby,with Tommy playing with a bad back and Cole Skues unwell.

McCarthy's remarks about his favorite Skusy only being 80% fit,and surprise that he lasted so long before having to come off with pulse at 50 means that he is so determined to play him regardless which is stupid and dangerous for the player as well.

This puts his remarks to Stuart Watson at EADT when asked about favourites,admitted that it's hard for his players to play their way out of his team;in context.

We shall presumably see the undroppable Skues back to form a defensive midfield partnership with Jonathan Douglas then,as Mick also said in this interview that he has to look beyond the fans favourites to pick his most effective 11.Another snipe at the fans,who by his remarks in post suggests deep down he has no time for them; so customer satisfaction not high on his list of priorities hence the falling crowds.

I would think that the only way that the remaining new boys will get games is through injuries.
Grant Ward seems to have established himself as he is leading scorer,and now it looks like Adam Webster will get a run in the side,even though the Manager has said that Tommy Smith is the better defender.

This would appear to be another winnable game,lets hope we see a decent game although it could be their attack against our defence as so often happens with Mick McCarthy's teams.

2

BlueMachines added 20:14 - Sep 16
Chambers isn't cover for Smith. Chambers plays right back. Has and never will be a centre back. What is MM talking about.............!!!!??!?!?
-1

blues1 added 20:16 - Sep 16
Jas0999. Why do u in almost every story about a player being injured say we have a small squad. Yes, we lost 7 players in the close season. But, including the resigning of Varney, we've signed 7 players this season. So in effect, having sold Murphy we are only 1 player down on last season
3

Surco72 added 21:03 - Sep 16
Thanks Worcesterblue... Just doesn't do enough for me in defence or attack
1

TimmyH added 22:24 - Sep 16
Feel sorry for Tommy but this gives Webster a run of games which will determine what stage he is at in the coming months, feel sorry for us too that Skuse is back, it really is about time he contributed more other than the odd tackle made and the odd simple ball out from the back, it really isn't enough.
0


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