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Former Blues Defender Smith Joins Sunderland
Friday, 21st Feb 2020 15:47

Former Blues centre-half Tommy Smith has joined Town’s League One promotion rivals Sunderland until the end of the season.

Smith, 29, was a free agent having left MLS side the Colorado Rapids at the end of their season and had until recently been training with the Blues’ U23s.

In January he was linked with Wigan and Portsmouth while Paul Lambert ruled out a return to Portman Road.

“I know a lot about the club — the history and the fan base. I am delighted to be a part of it and hopefully I can help push the team up towards the Championship," New Zealand international Smith told the Black Cats official website.

“I’ve heard about the Stadium of Light and the atmosphere that is generated and I am just really excited to step out there for the first time and hopefully success can follow.

“I see myself as a leader on and off the pitch so hopefully I can use that to be a good addition to the squad.”

Sunderland were in need of defensive cover due to Bailey Wright suffering a season-ending ankle injury.

Wearsiders manager Phil Parkinson added: “Tommy can play anywhere across the back and, given Bailey Wright's injury, I wanted to make sure that we were not left short in the last three months of the season.

“Tommy is a very experienced player, he has played a lot of games in the Championship, and he will fit straight into our squad.

“He is a similar type of player to Bailey, and we think he will be a good addition.

“He will need a little bit of fitness work to get fully up to speed but he has been training so he is not far away.”


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MaySixth added 15:49 - Feb 21
The blubbing on here is going to be off the charts.
7

MaySixth added 15:50 - Feb 21
££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££ talks
1

Carberry added 16:03 - Feb 21
Astonishing. But of course we are so well covered with central defenders. Haha.
5

Reusersgreasymop added 16:05 - Feb 21
This will come back to haunt us
6

therein61 added 16:07 - Feb 21
Money or not i think he would be in a blue shirt had he been given the chance.
4

DurhamTownFan added 16:11 - Feb 21
Agreed: definitely think he'd have come here if wanted. The fact that we wanted Earl on loan instead is exactly the reason we're in this long-term mess. Nothing against Earl, as he seems fine but he isn't ours is he?
11

runningout added 16:12 - Feb 21
No fuss here
1

TrueBlue66 added 16:15 - Feb 21
Agent Smith you know what to do!
2

Smithy added 16:19 - Feb 21
You just know he'll score the play off winner vs us now
4

r2d2 added 16:28 - Feb 21
No brainer for me, but PRP didnt want to know. We may regret this.
-1

ChrisFelix added 17:00 - Feb 21
This is a missed opportunity. If Smith had been made an offer ( including the captaincy) im sure he would have accepted.
4

dukey44 added 17:02 - Feb 21
Sorry but the season he left he made a lot of mistakes... Move on next...
6

ArnieM added 17:02 - Feb 21
Dear oh dear, it just shows how far standards have fallen for some Ipswich Town fans, that they consider a one footed, and basic defender at his best, Tommy Smith, as some kind of messiah ! Get a grip.
12

timkatieadamitfc added 17:10 - Feb 21
@ArnieM, yes but with the exception of Woolfy he is still better than anything we have - wouldn't you agree?
Also a manager saying "I didn't want to leave us short in the last 3 months" THERES A LESSON FOR YOU MARCUS
Would have taken Smith in a heartbeat- could have been a great option
9

timkatieadamitfc added 17:12 - Feb 21
And when I say option, he would have started every game for me in the run in.
2

BartonBluee added 17:13 - Feb 21
All this talk of being back in a blue shirt if given the chance... this will haunt us... He was literally training with the under 23s and they still chose not to offer him a deal for the remainder of the season. How do people operate on this forum, do you think they said, yeah train with the under 23s and didn't look at him! haha! Like with all players they would have got him in, had a look and made a decision against offering him a deal. Regardless of peoples opinions on our defenders, this season we are definitely not short of them. He has ended up taking a deal at a club that are short on the ground at the back, says it all in my opinion.
7

cat added 17:24 - Feb 21
I'm not one for sentimentality so I will say it as it is. Thank God for that, Sunderland's loss is our gain.
2

timkatieadamitfc added 17:26 - Feb 21
@dukey -when you say move on next - who else have you got in mind who will be available to play NOW in the 3RD DIVISION with similar quality?
0

brian_a_mul added 17:29 - Feb 21
I like Tommy and would have been happy to see him back but the fact that a Championship club diddnt make him an offer indicates he may have declined. If Earl does well he would be a more valuable asset for us than Tommy.
5

Terry_Nutkins added 17:30 - Feb 21
I've really no issue with this. Lets move on. Good luck to him.
5

LWNR2013 added 17:52 - Feb 21
Totally agree Cat.
2

LWNR2013 added 17:53 - Feb 21
Brian....I think he declined before he left us
0

stiffy501 added 17:57 - Feb 21
I would have given him a contract till the end of the season for one reason, he scores goals something we lack at the back !!!!!!
2

LWNR2013 added 18:08 - Feb 21
Wolfie and Chambers have scored
2

TimmyH added 18:24 - Feb 21
Better than Wilson and Chambers so I would have welcomed him... (saying that no one follows the MLS and how he has been performing).
0


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