Walter Smith

[Richard Alex]

I remember when Walter was sacked feeling sorry for him. He built about 4 different teams in his time here. The turnaround of players was ridiculous. How was he supposed to build a team to compete under those circumstances?
Remember Duncan being sold behind his back. I think Walter saved Everton by not resigning as we saw the back of Peter Johnson and Everton were a poor side. He’d only been here 5 minutes. We needed stability and he obliged.
People suggesting he was rubbish are talking wham and don’t know all the rubbish that was going on behind the scenes.He actually built a half decent team by the end of that first season but had to sell the players in the summer.
Such was the turmoil at the club.
I for one will always be great full to him as if he’d had walked got knows were we would of ended up.

 

[Tubey]

well wishes to him

he was before my time, but i've heard that he's generally considered one of our worst managers, how true is that?

Wouldn't even make my worst three list personally. He wasn't great but was largely the victim of circumstance. His success was simply avoiding another 94 or 98 style brush with disaster while the club was a basket case. There was a 10 year period where it was often a legit miracle we didn't get relegated.

Silva and Koeman given the money they had were far worse than him.

 

[Bishop Thumpety-Thump]

Signed some good players like Dacourt and Materazzi but also signed some gash like a washed up Gazza, Ginola and Mark Hughes. Couldn't cope with young players either and I never liked his negative tactics.

My favourite football memory of his time here was the pre-season game at Chester. Cracking day out, lovely weather and Gareth Farrelly with a bronzy. I remember a palpable feeling of optimism amongst all the away fans. Shame how it turned out.

None of that matters however if the news is correct - as others have already said he's an absolute gentleman and I really hope he pulls through.

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

Be did a bit, but it seemed interesting that Hutchison seemed to have some admiration for him...

yeah, found that very odd...

 

[messymascot]

I first starting taking proper notice of football in early 91 so HK was our manager. We've had 10 permanent managers in that time I'm combing HK 2/3 spells. Walter finishes 6th on the list and given the circumstances he had to deal with it can be deemed an achievement. The list below is how I rank them.

Carlo Ancelotti
Joe Royle
David Moyes
Roberto Martinez
Howard Kendall
Walter Smith
Marco Silva
Ronald Koeman
Sam Allardyce
Mike Walker

 

[hallamblue]

Honourable man, tried his best, seems a decent bloke, so I hope he comes through.

 

[Thomasc]

We were a bit of a shambles weren’t we as a club, but I think he could have been better with decent backing.
Seemed a decent bloke.

 

[Vintage]

Weir, Stubbs, Campbell and Carsley were good buys. Pembridge and Gemmil were not too bad for the little money involved.

Didn't he buy Nyarko, Alexandersson, Linderoth and Bakayoko though? None of them were on the really cheap side.

Get well soon Walter.

And that turd Stephen Hughes who wasnt on the cheap side either

 

[witchdoc187]

Was he in charge when we lost 1-0 home to Newcastle in the fa cup? Substitute Ian rush scoring the winner? Always remember his nose poking through the net when he ran in the goal celebrating. Chucking with rain. Got there 20 mins after kick off because of the trains. Then lost my wallet.

 

[Groucho]

What has happened to him?



Are you watching Groucho?

I’m really not sure what you mission is here. Maybe lighten up?

 

[messymascot]

Was he in charge when we lost 1-0 home to Newcastle in the fa cup? Substitute Ian rush scoring the winner? Always remember his nose poking through the net when he ran in the goal celebrating. Chucking with rain. Got there 20 mins after kick off because of the trains. Then lost my wallet.

That was HK mk 3.

 

[witchdoc187]

That was HK mk 3.

jeez i had totally forgotten about that!!

 

[jaybx1878]

I was at his last game at Boro in the cup, 3 down after half an hour, shocking stuff.

 

[Toffeelover]

He was a good manager, did not get decent support from Johnson.

 

[Blue toffee]

well wishes to him

he was before my time, but i've heard that he's generally considered one of our worst managers, how true is that?

Sadly we’ve had a few much worse than him.