Author Topic: Vladimir Smicer (Read 3171 times)

Col · « **Reply #40 on:** January 27, 2005, 01:53:53 PM »

It's been said by many of our own players and ex-players that he's the most technically gifted player in the squad (not by the new lads, obviously).

Nobody can doubt his quality, and I think that in tough away games where we go with 1 up front, any opposition would brick themselves with seeing Vladi play behind a lone striker and in front of Stevie and Xabi, be it Nando or Milan up top.

Hopefully the lad can get a decent run under his belt - after all, what use is a technically-brilliant, experienced international forward eh? Ah that's right - he's not good enough, because he's been injured a fair few times...

waterford red · « **Reply #41 on:** January 27, 2005, 03:25:10 PM »

I can't see Smicer getting another contract.Hes too lightweight and injury prone and we've enough of those type of players at the club at the moment.It wouldn't be good value for money to offer him a new contract giving his form and injury record since he joined us.

Bob Kurac · « **Reply #42 on:** January 27, 2005, 03:28:33 PM »

Quote from: waterford red on January 27, 2005, 03:25:10 PM

I can't see Smicer getting another contract.Hes too lightweight and injury prone and we've enough of those type of players at the club at the moment.It wouldn't be good value for money to offer him a new contract giving his form and injury record since he joined us.

you read the thread, then ?

Bannside Red · « **Reply #43 on:** January 27, 2005, 03:29:19 PM »

Give the lad a chance.

He is yet to play a game for us since Rafa took over as manager, everyone else got their chance why shouldn't he.

harrytrow · « **Reply #44 on:** January 27, 2005, 03:29:59 PM »

Quote from: TSC on January 26, 2005, 09:44:46 PM

I'd love to see him earn a contract. He was consistently inconsistent under GH, but then Houllier's football preference of bypassing the midfield with long balls to Heskey would never suit a Smicer type player. He's obviously a decent player in the right team playing good football on the deck, otherwise he wouldn't hold down a regular spot in a very good international team.

Anyway, whose to say that he couldn't do a better job than Garcia is currently doing?

One of the most exciting and excillerating moments of football for me in recent years, was when Smicer, Owen, and Litmanen were up front in one game and the one two's or one two three's were happening too fast for me to keep an eye on it.
Smicer is a very intelligent player, and has an amazing touch alas his injuries have put him in with the no hopers with some blinkered fans.

Paul Tomkins · « **Reply #45 on:** January 27, 2005, 03:30:21 PM »

Quote from: Nerik on January 27, 2005, 12:58:12 PM

With all the injuries we have this is finally a boost. That we have expected more from Smicer during his time at LFc is an understatement but there is no questioning his talent. Under Rafa he may well find his feet.....................come on Vladi!

We haven't got a lot to lose. Would be nice if he could earn a one-year extension, and get a proper go at it next season. If he fails next season, then his time is up.

But he offers valuable experience, and if he can transfer part of his Czech scoring record (24 in 68 games) to his club form, we'll be laughing.

bazjones · « **Reply #46 on:** January 27, 2005, 03:44:35 PM »

Fair enough give th lad a chance under Rafa, but personally i have never seen anything in his game to make me think he is good enough to play for our club.

He is lightweight on and off the ball, he always looks clumbsy on the ball and he always gets the balls caught up between his feet.

Give him a chance but dont think he will earn a contract!

Murf · « **Reply #47 on:** January 28, 2005, 07:39:53 PM »

He plays in the reserves on Saturday so good luck Vlad, anyone know who we are playing and is it Wrexham or away thanks

WelshSpikeyMike · « **Reply #48 on:** January 28, 2005, 07:47:51 PM »

Hopefully he'll do really well when he returns. Think he could do really well in Rafa's system, especially in the 4-5-1. Go on Vlad.

Gaz123456 · « **Reply #49 on:** January 28, 2005, 08:53:01 PM »

Really looking forward to seeing Vladi under Rafa - he has the creative talent to provide the ammo for Milan and Moro. Not having to chase or create the long ball will do him the worls of good.

Never heard him have a bad word about the club or his bad luck either - deserves a good run

Vulmea · « **Reply #50 on:** January 29, 2005, 01:17:57 AM »

Not sure where the vladi supporters actually want to see him play? Behind the striker is currently gerrards preferred and most effective position - vladi never stays out wide and rarely if ever goes past somebody on the outside despite his pace - you could play him up front but that would mean two up top and again relegates Gerrard to a more defensive role -

ALT has just come back and to me is a very similar player to Vlad, Garcia is also comfortable playing behind the striker.

Hopefully rafa will see something in the lad and get whatever he can out of him - maybe encouraging him to take a wide role and take players on with his skill and pace - maybe it was GH that kept forcing him inside.........

the best I remenber him playing was prior to his first season in the pre season irish tournament I thought we'd signed a world beater - injury soon followed and the rest is history

massive talent not sure about his heart tho

The Red artist. · « **Reply #51 on:** January 29, 2005, 02:22:31 AM »

Met up wi Vladi at the back end of last season to give him a paintin of him that he asked me to do for him.He was made up wi the paintin and asked me what he owed me,i said i'd rather have a signed shirt if thats alright,so off he went and a couple of minutes later he came back with a shirt and signed it,fuckin sound or wha!He's a crackin fella and i'd love to see him get a run in the side.If, and we know its a big if wi Vladi but,if he can stay fit i too think he'll fit into our style of play better than under G.H.If all goes well he can be a big player for us in the runin,fingers crossed.
Here's the paintin that he signed.

Y.N.W.A..................J.F.T.96.

notyouraverage · « **Reply #52 on:** January 29, 2005, 03:44:45 AM »

im sure rafa will be able to motivate le tallec

Red Hell · « **Reply #53 on:** January 29, 2005, 08:25:53 AM »

Will be great to see him back in a Red shirt... could be like a new signing...

Good luck for the rest of the season and heres hoping that you are offered an extension to your contract...

Under Rafa: IMO he will be given a chance... no more injuries please!!!

mr_mad_master · « **Reply #54 on:** January 29, 2005, 09:01:47 AM »

am looking foward to seeing vladi back on the pitch, think if he gets a good run without any injury niggles and a fair trial he could still do alot in a red shirt, rafas style will probably push him more,but i think hell be up to the task

BazC · « **Reply #55 on:** January 29, 2005, 08:46:08 PM »

nice painitng!

helssmicer · « **Reply #56 on:** January 29, 2005, 09:57:49 PM »

a nice vladi thread here to welcome me back!

nice to have Vladi back today after 7 months!

i for one cant wait to see him back!

heres just hope he can finally stay both injury & pain free & we can see what he can really do!

he loves the club & city is an amazing personal & true professional!

lets hope he gets a chance to shine under rafa!

good luck & all the best Vladi!

Mottman · « **Reply #57 on:** January 29, 2005, 10:39:33 PM »

In the Pink Echo tonight it said Vlad the impaler had three months to impress Raffa the Gaffa if he wanted a new contract.

Must admit I have a wee bit of a soft spot for him, I don't think we have seen the best of him yet. The cycinical side of me says we wont see it.

He's a player full of tricks but they never seem to come off whilst playing for us.

blert596 · « **Reply #58 on:** January 30, 2005, 04:35:18 AM »

Quote from: Mottman on January 29, 2005, 10:39:33 PM

He's a player full of tricks but they never seem to come off whilst playing for us.

Sounds like a certain new boy we've got. Hopefully both will start getting their bits of trickery to work soon. Although Im'm not sure if there's room for them both together.

HIRA · « **Reply #59 on:** January 30, 2005, 07:18:48 AM »

He did well at Euro 2004, I hope Rafa gives him a decent chance under his regime. In my opinion, he's not much worse or not much better than what we have seen from Garcia. That should be enough to give him a chance.

Nerik · « **Reply #60 on:** January 30, 2005, 10:45:39 AM »

How did he play yesterday?Anyone saw the game?

Ponsonby · « **Reply #61 on:** January 30, 2005, 11:19:26 AM »

Smicer has undoubted technical ability and for this reason so much more could be expected from him. However, his total lack of bottle and will to win are evident for all to see. The way he shit-out against the baldy goalie for Sheff Utd in the League Cup semi the other year was a total embarrassment.

There was also the incident with Dennis Wise where Wise gave him a kick and was trying to bully him. Wise is 2 foot tall and my granny would batter him. Smicer went off injured about 5 minutes after the incident. If you don't want to win, you're never going to be the best. Unfortunately, Smicer falls into this category.

I think it's sad when we're clutching at straws. Smicer comes back and people's hopes are built up that something new might happen. We all know what Smicer is. He'd never see the light of day if he was at Chelsea or Man Utd.

bradigor · « **Reply #62 on:** January 30, 2005, 11:47:29 AM »

Vladi coming back, when we are in the middle of an injury crisis, we need a something fresh in the team. Vladi can offer that, he will be desperate to show what he can do under a footballing manager aswell as wanting to get a new contract.

Vladi, IF he can stay injury free will be just what we need in the last part of the season, linking between Stevie and the front men.

HIRA · « **Reply #63 on:** January 30, 2005, 11:51:47 AM »

Yeah, it is sad that we clutch at straws. That's the way it is now.

He often performs well for his country, I think he should be able to do it for us. He, Baros, Koller, Rosicky and Nedved are, or were, great together for their national team, we have two of those players.

I feel he would do no worse or better than Garcia, as I have already said. We give Garcia time just because he is a 6 million pound signing, and a relatively big name in Spain. We forget he does not even feature for his national team. I'd say at the moment, maybe he and Smicer should be battling it out on equal terms, but I'm sure Rafa will favour the Spaniard.

ARC86 · « **Reply #64 on:** January 30, 2005, 12:07:41 PM »

Smicer plays well for his country, most think it's only because of the other's around him, but when they mention how bad (or inconsistent) he's been for liverpool you rarely hear that's it because he had bad player's around him

We need all the player's we can get at the moment, so why not let him try make an impression, with a manager like Rafa who has managed to make player's like Biscan play better, who knows what he is capable of, what do we have to lose anyway, if he doesn't play well then it's what everyone expected and he can leave in the summer, if he does play well then hopefully we benefit from it and come the summer he can either be given an extention or leave

Nice to see some people being optimistic about it.

btw was it Smicer who started the injurie crisis? He got injured pre season so it must have been, am I being to optimistic his return could stop all the injuries, nope optimistic's the wrong word

JasonR · « **Reply #65 on:** January 31, 2005, 08:36:13 AM »

Quote from: Nerik on January 30, 2005, 10:45:39 AM

How did he play yesterday?Anyone saw the game?

He had about 25 minutes. Came on and straight away got the ball mid-midfield went passed a couple of Villa players and had a shot which the keeper put round the post (I think). Apart from that, first touch looked good and ran well.

elly · « **Reply #66 on:** January 31, 2005, 01:03:33 PM »

I hope he can do enough of a job for us to earn himself another couple of years (or even a year, he must be about 31 now surely), because I've always liked Vladi and have always wanted to see him in a Liverpool team that plays to his strengths. Like others have said though, if he doesn't show anything like the form he's obviously capable of, it's no real skin off our nose anyway, and at the end of the season I'll thank him for the goal against Chelsea and his efforts against Basle (although they come to nought) and hope he finds a club where he can do the business.

Wish he'd get his hair cut though, it looks crap.

cakmin · « **Reply #67 on:** February 3, 2005, 10:58:16 AM »

Rafa has told Vladi to score about 10 goals and help us progressing in the CL to get a new deal.

Taken from .TV:

BOSS: VLADI CAN WIN NEW DEAL
Paul Eaton 03 February 2005

Rafael Benitez has admitted he might offer Vladimir Smicer a new Anfield contract if he plays a major role in Liverpool's push for Champions League football next season.
Smicer made his first appearance of the season as a late substitute during Tuesday's win at Charlton after recovering from knee surgery.

There were fears the Czech star may never play again after undergoing an operation last summer, but now he's won the battle to save his career his next aim is to secure a new Liverpool deal with his current contract expiring at the end of this season.

Benitez hasn't yet decided whether to offer Smicer a new deal, but he says the ball is very much in the player's court to produce the goods over the remainder of the campaign.

"He doesn't have much time left but if he comes in and scores ten goals before the end of the season then what would we do? It's obvious," said the boss.

"The most important thing in these situations is not what is said off the pitch but what a player does on it.

"There is always the possibility of a new deal if Vladi plays well and scores goals. He is a very good player and a good professional. He can play in different positions for us, but now he needs games.

"If you have talent and skill then it makes it easier, you just need to have the right mentality to go with that. Vladi is an international player with a lot of skill and ability and he can get us goals.

"If he plays well from now until the end of the season then he will have more options in the summer."

Smicer is desperate to earn a new Anfield deal but knows that time isn't on his side with less than half the season remaining.

He said: "I like it here and don't want to leave. It's just down to getting fit and playing as much as I can before the end of the season. I must not set too many questions for myself at once.

"I just need to be patient and the manager will decide. It's difficult for Benitez because he has only seen me for a short period of time in pre-season training, which is not enough.

"Hopefully my luck will change and I can stay fit and start enjoying my football again because it was a really sad year for me."

Link here:
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N147725050203-0840.htm