Steven Naismith

Tigger · September 12, 2015

neil999 said:
Hes the new cahill sort off

That's a hell of a sort of. He was good today but come on leave Timmy out of this.

BoysInBlue · September 12, 2015

In the last 4 seasons, Naismith has scored goals against Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United, and a grand total of 6 goals against Chelsea alone.

It really is embarrassing how some people still claim he's 'useless' or 'poor', or begrudgingly congratulate him.

He's a good, quality player, who may not be a starter every week but is the type of vital squad player that all good teams have and need.

And we only got him on a free in the first place because Rangers breached his contract. His availability on a free was no negative indication of his quality.

Pienaar's gloves · September 12, 2015

His Missus is going to be envious of the matchball sharing their bed tonight. I bet he spoons it.

allen · September 12, 2015

BoysInBlue said:
In the last 4 seasons, Naismith has scored goals against Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United, and a grand total of 6 goals against Chelsea alone.

It really is embarrassing how some people still claim he's 'useless' or 'poor', or begrudgingly congratulate him.

He's a good, quality player, who may not be a starter every week but is the type of vital squad player that all good teams have and need.

And we only got him on a free in the first place because Rangers breached his contract. His availability on a free was no negative indication of his quality.

Exactly. His biggest crime is not being Deulofeu or Mirallas, as far as I can tell. It's them not being in the team, rather than Naismith's presence, that's the problem for a lot of the complainers, I think.

I admit I wasn't over the moon to see him come on - but it's impossible to ignore the impact he has had in countless games.

He reminds me a bit of what Solksjaer did for United all those years ago. Not really a first-teamer, but a fantastic option capable of grabbing important goals.

The Equaliser · September 12, 2015

Well done Naisy lad - the best day of his club career and then some.

There's no pleasing his detractors though who won't give him the credit he is due. He is very much to Martinez what Cahill was to Moyes - gets stuck in, plays for the shirt, has a great attitude, and while not being the most gifted player in the world comes up with important goals against quality opposition.

Utterly superb hat-trick. Not a scrappy bit of luck involved, quality all the way. The first one especially says it all about him.

The Equaliser · September 12, 2015

And the funniest bit is that Matt Lurkmurderer Bizarro Damon must be chomping at the bit to come and tell us all he told us so about Naismith.

But he can't because he is banned.

LOLOLOLOL

chicoazul · September 12, 2015

The Equaliser said:
And the funniest bit is that Matt Lurkmurderer Bizarro Damon must be chomping at the bit to come and tell us all he told us so about Naismith.

But he can't because he is banned.

LOLOLOLOL

He tried to on Twitter so I LOLled at him being perma banned.

He's now blocked me and Goat.

micknick · September 12, 2015

His comments were interesting after the game that he basically wanted to go because he wasnt playing but the manager said he wanted him to stay so he did. Hard keeping all the players happy even in our relatively small squad eh.

bluestevon · September 12, 2015

micknick said:
His comments were interesting after the game that he basically wanted to go because he wasnt playing but the manager said he wanted him to stay so he did. Hard keeping all the players happy even in our relatively small squad eh.

Guess so mate, probably the fact it was a Scottish manager wanting to bring him in and theirs 2 or 3 of his Scotland team mates their was a big draw too, oddly probably easier for a CL or constant EL team to keep players happy than a team that now and again gets into it like us, a lot of extra games makes it easier to get all the players more games, a good run in the cups will be welcomed by a lot of our squad players as a chance to show they deserve a bigger role

Fuleco · September 12, 2015

chicoazul said:
ZING.

Great this.

Genuinely reckon @Eric Djemba-Djemba has never been right about a player in his posting life.

Socrates · September 12, 2015

catcherintherye said:
He is very similar to Tim Cahill. They had remarkably similar attributed (though Cahill was probably better in the air, Naismith is probably a bit more creative).

I know everyone rightly views Cahill now as a legend. However especially towards the end of his career he received quite a bit of criticism. The moral of the story was that he didn't need to start every game, but in particular games he would be very useful.

I think it's the same for Naismith. Against any of the top 5 or 6 sides where creativity required is not at a premium he is a fantastic asset. He also has the potential to be a bit of a Solskiaar for us coming off the bench in other games.

I think Roberto understands that, and his value as a squad asset. Kendall's column was spot on earlier in the week as well. He is a vital asset, and even if we'd have got 8 million for him, who could we have got who would be happy to be as an effective a squad man as Naismith?

Ha!

I was about to post the same thing.

The only real differences between them are a) people haven't forgiven him for his horrendous start and b) he has better players around him than Cahill had so he doesn't stand out as much.

That game today alone justifies the manager turning down £8m for him.