Grant Smith (Page 2)

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Yeovil players celebrate Charlie Wakefield’s FA Cup winner in Round 2

Here’s a conundrum for you.

How do you cope with the injuries and illness that the Glovers have had this mid-season, in ‘COVID World’ whilst having a squad as small as Yeovil Town’s, and yet at the same time have multiple selection headaches with multiple options in different positions?

That’s exactly what manager Darren Sarll has not just up front with Joe Quigley, Reuben Reid and Adi Yussuf seemingly vying for one spot, but also now in goal.

First choice Grant Smith has been nothing short of fantastic between the sticks this season, and his post-match red card at Torquay on Boxing Day threw a spanner in the works for the upcoming games including last weekend’s FA Cup tie against Bournemouth.

With the greatest of respect, the loan keeper from QPR, Dillon Barnes, was far from an adequate replacement. The 87th player to take his place between the posts for us since the end of the Second World War (we think) but not one to stick in the memory.

Dillon Barnes vs Bournemouth

Errors against both Torquay and the Cherries at key moments were killer blows in big matches and the team suffered.

Barnes is not a bad ‘keeper, far from it in fact, he has played plenty of EFL games and a contract at a Championship club is a clear sign that he has qualities.

But he was clearly rusty, thrown into two big games with players he’d barely met and maybe, couldn’t quite get up to speed in time.

The Glovers’ regular back-up keeper Max Evans, with not a lot more than a single FA Trophy game behind him, had the potential to be a rabbit in the headlights in those games too, and I totally understand Sarll’s choice to get in a loan keeper.

Max Evans

Evans will get his chance against Needham Market, but I am sure glad Grant Smith is back. A reliable pair of gloves has been the mainstay of successful Yeovil sides, see Tony Pennock, Chris Weale, Steve Mildenhall and Marek Stech in previous years.

We’ve had some great on loan goalkeepers – Begovic, McCarthy, Henderson, Steer – and some high quality back-up keepers down the years, haven’t we? Gareth Stewart, Ben Roberts, even Wealey himself for a time. Malcolm Rigby, anyone?

Grant Smith might need to keep his composure and his hips slightly less thrusted at times, but his absence has only solidified his value to the group. 

Check out the Gloverscast Column in the Western Gazette every week and come back for more daily Gloversblogs here on Gloverscast.co.uk 

 

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Grant Smith. Picture c/o Mike Kunz

Glovers’ goalkeeper Grant Smith spoke to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins following Yeovil Town‘s 2-1 defeat at Southend United and said that the game just didn’t get going for the visitors.

“We struggled with their shape, we couldn’t really adapt to certain things they were going, we tried to change it a little bit, but we just couldn’t get going”

The former Chesterfield stopper was back in goal after a two match ban and said on a personal level it was good to be back, but that the team was focused on putting right a poor run of results.

“I think the main thing for us is trying to keep our heads, trying to keep it at 1-0, when we keep it a 1-0 we are always in the game, one chance, like today you never know what can happen, it can quickly change.

“When it goes 2-0 and 3-0, sometimes it’s over.

“Bringing Quigz (Joe Quigley) & Reubs (Reuben Reid) on we wanted the ascendency to go in our favour, but unfortunately we got caught on the break… that’s football

“We gave it a good push at the end, but it wasn’t enough

“Every game we play, we want to win and come Saturday (the FA Trophy match at home to Needham Market), it’s a big, big chance to put it right.”

The ‘keeper said he had only himself to blame for his enforced absence recently and that he’d learn from the experience of missing out on the big games and ended by saying he and the side were “never too high when we win and never too low when we lose”

I’m sure Gloverscast listeners will have spotted that phrase used once or twice.

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Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll has backed his goalkeeper Grant Smith for criticising referee Scott Jackson‘s decision to red card Sonny Blu Lo-Everton in the Boxing Day defeat at Torquay United.

Darren Sarll
Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz,.

The dismissal after 64 minutes at Plainmoor has been overturned following an appeal meaning the on-loan Watford forward will be available for Sunday’s rematch with Gary Johnson’s side on Sunday.

But, Smith, who also saw red for “foul and abusive language” after the final whistle, is banned for the Gulls’ game and the FA Cup third round tie with AFC Bournemouth with Sarll looking to bring in a loan keeper for both matches.

Speaking to the press on Thursday, the manager said: “I don’t put too much blame on the referee, he went with his assistant he used his team in the same way I use Terry (Skiverton, assistant manager) when I am making decisions.

“He used his team and got it horrendously wrong and it cost us three points. The biggest disappointment I have with that is when you look at the subsequent dismissal of Grant Smith, he is probably right.

“If players perform badly in my dressing room they get told, all Grant Smith did was tell (the referee) he did not perform very well.

“Unfortunately because of the ego-centric behaviour, we lose a really important player in Grant Smith.”

Listeners of the Gloverscast podcast were the first to hear the news that Lo-Everton’s appeal had been successful – well, after followers of our Twitter and Facebook channels, of course. Having the only person in Britain who can make the FA’s website work (in Ben Barrett) paid dividends there.

The boss admitted the dismissal of Lo-Everton for dangling a foot at Torquay’s Tom Lapslie was petulant from the 19-year-old.

He said: “My disappointment was that Sonny was pivotal to our improvement in the opening stages of the second half and when he gave the referee a decision.

“It was petulance, people are like that in your 30s, it’s an emotional decision, nothing to do with your age. “

In other news at this week’s press conference, the manager said…..

  • His decision to look to bring a keeper in on loan for the next two fixtures was not a reflection on the ability of his back-up keeper Max Evans.
    The manager said he was speaking with Premier League, Championship and League One clubs about getting in a stand-in stopper during Grant Smith’s absence.
    Of Evans, he said: “You can do more harm than good with these young players when they are thrown in at thew wrong time.
    “We had a plan for Max this year and we will stick to that plan, so we will look to add to the team with the loan market.
    “That is no disrespect to Max, the plan for Max was to try and build him through a certain type of game and a certain type of experience.”
    Following our Gloversblog post weighing up the two options, supporters on our Twitter channel voted 73% in favour of giving Evans the gloves on Sunday.
  • Injury victims defender Mark Little and striker Joe Quigley could both be back involved in for the weekend – and if they’re not, they’re certain to be involved in next weekend’s FA Cup tie with AFC Bournemouth.
    Joe Quigley, who is top-scorer with six goals so far this season.
    Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

    The manager said Quigley had only trained for “three or four days” but was looking “surprisingly strong” considering, and said Little was “very close” having picked up an injury in pre-season.
    Sarll said: “That latest I would see Mark being involved is the FA Cup, so he could involved Sunday and Joe could be as well.
    “Joe has had less time training but he’s been very strong, he looks like he’s in a race to get back.”

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Yeovil Town goalkeeper Grant Smith. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Grant Smith looks set to miss the upcoming games against Torquay and Bournemouth following his post match red card against Torquay on Boxing Day.

Multiple reports suggested the Goalkeeper was shown a red card following the conclusion of the 3-0 defeat, an incident which has now been confirmed as an act of “Foul and Abusive Language”, something which Darren Sarll seemed to assume after the game;

“I don’t know what happened with Grant (Smith), I can make an assumption that he has said something to the referee after the game. If he has and that is the reason why, then I don’t condone that, I’m all for tackling, competing, I’m not great defending players for dissent, if it’s dissent, but we’ll find out.”

We face Torquay and Bournemouth in the next two games which, unless there are any appeals, will see Max Evans (or a loan replacement) between the sticks.

 

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Darren Sarll spoke to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins regarding the two red cards (and five yellows) picked up by the Glovers during their 3-0 loss to Torquay United on Boxing Day.

In a feisty affair, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was sent off after 64 minutes, goalkeeper Grant Smith saw red after the final whistle and Adi Yussuf, Matt Worthington, Dale Gorman, Luke Wilkinson and Dan Moss all saw yellow.

This is what the manager had to say on the three players who will be missing as a result of today’s indiscretions.

Sonny Blu-Lo Everton – red card – 64th minute.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton in action for Yeovil Town.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

“I thought it was petulant, that’s how I saw it, I have no idea what players think they’re ever gaining from those actions, I’ll have to see it again, but at the time it looked petulant. I don’t understand what they get out of it, the team don’t get anything out of it… listen, Sonny doesn’t help us stop those three goals, what Sonny was doing during the game very, very well was stay on the ball for long periods and get far more territory.

“So very disappointing, we’re disappointed in that type of behaviour, but we will keep those thoughts and comments in house.”

If confirmed as ‘Violent Conduct’ the Watford loanee would miss three games; Torquay, Bournemouth (FA Cup) and Southend before being available for the FA Trophy game with Needham Market Town on January 15th, one day before his initial loan spell from Watford is due to elapse.

Grant Smith – red card – after full-time

New Glovers’ ‘keeper Grant Smith

“I don’t know what happened with Grant (Smith), I can make an assumption that he has said something to the referee after the game. If he has and that is the reason why, then I don’t condone that, I’m all for tackling, competing, I’m not great defending players for dissent, if it’s dissent, but we’ll find out.”

If confirmed as being for ‘Foul and Abusive Language’, the Glovers’ number one would be subject to a two-game ban which would rule him out of the games vs Torquay next Sunday and Bournemouth in the FA Cup. Subject to an appeal process.

 

Dan Moss – fifth yellow card of the season – 75th minute.

Dan Moss. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

“Mossy is always going to get five bookings in his season, he tackles more than anyone, that’s a tackle, that’s what he does, that’s why we play him, because he puts in those tackles.”

“That’s part of the season of having Dan Moss, the other stuff, the two sendings off, if they are for what I think they are, we will deal with that internally.”

It is expected that the Millwall loanee will only be absent for the game against Torquay, his loan was recently extended until January 24th which would give him four more games after his suspension whilst with the side.

 

As a side note, Jack Robinson, the loanee from Middlesbrough was seen with the side today after being out of contention with injury since the win over Yate Town. Alex Bradley missed out on the squad together as did youth team graduate Ollie Haste whilst the Gloverscast have asked Hemel Hempstead Town for clarification on the situation with midfielder Toby Stephens as his one month loan spell had been due to end.

 

 

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Dan Moss. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

No less than three Yeovil Town players have been rewarded with a place in the FA Cup Team of the Round for Round 2.

The Glovers beat Stevenage 1-0 live on the BBC to land a record 21st Football League scalp in the competition as a non-league side.

Goalkeeper Grant Smith, and on loan duo Dan Moss and Sonny Blu Lo Everton have been given a place in the side as voted for by Twitter users.

The mythical XI also includes representatives of Kidderminster, Mansfield and Leyton Orient, but Yeovil are the only side with three entrants.

Smith made a number of crucial saves, whilst Lo Everton slid the ball through to assist the match winner from Charlie Wakefield.

Dan Moss was voted Man of the Match by the BBC team and is rightly listed in the side following a string of brilliant performances.

A huge congratulations to all three.

Yeovil Town will host AFC Bournemouth in the 3rd Round on Saturday 8th of January at 17:30pm

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Glovers’ ‘keeper Grant Smith

Yeovil Town Goalkeeper Grant Smith says confidence is high after the Glovers extended their unbeaten run to six with a 1-0 win over Dagenham and Redbridge.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins he said the most pleasing part of the win was restricting a free scoring Dagenham side.

“I think the big thing we took out of that is that we got a clean sheet against the best attacking goal scorers in the league, to come on to their patch, to keep a clean sheet and to really minimise them to not many chances, is very pleasing”

 

Yeovil won the game through a single goal late in the second half, which has been credited to Dagenham’s Paul McCallum as an own goal, but in a crazy few minutes, the Daggers were also reduced to ten-men with Elliot Johnson sent off for the hosts… Smith said, he didn’t see, but that the right decision was made. (Straight out of the Arsene Wenger guide to big moments, there, Grant)

Dagenham did their best to create pressure in the second half, and Smith had plenty of praise for the defensive unit in front of him.

“That back four, (Max) Hunty – some of them headers he had – (Luke) Wilko and then the two full backs (Jordan) Barnett and (Dan) Mossy they were unbelievable.”

“We want to win games, we want to score goals, but at the end of the day, we also want clean sheets, and personally for me, that’s what I want”

Attention turned to another tricky away game at Bromley on Tuesday, but Smith says the Glovers are ready and full of confidence.

“We’re on – I think that’s six unbeaten now – we are starting to really gel together now, we’re keeping them out the back of the net and scoring now also, so yeah, full confidence going into Tuesday”

 

 

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New Glovers’ ‘keeper Grant Smith

Chesterfield Manager, James Rowe has been explaining his decision to let goalkeeper Grant Smith move to Yeovil Town.

In an interview with the Derbyshire Times, Rowe explains that he couldn’t offer Smith guaranteed football after the arrival of former Barnet (and Yeovil) ‘keeper Scott Loach.

“He wanted guaranteed first-team football and I was not prepared to give him that,” Rowe said. “For me, Grant started well but some mistakes crept in that cost us crucial goals and he came out of the team. He represented himself well in the team the first few months. For him to be guaranteed first-team football down at Yeovil, on a better wage than what he was currently on, we did not want to stand in his way.”

Smith has replaced his name sake Adam Smith as the Glovers’ first choice glove man this season after signing a one-year-deal in June.

Well, if you don’t want a keeper who kept 10 clean sheets in 18 games for you, we will more than happily take him off your hands!

 

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New Yeovil Town goalkeeper Grant Smith has said he is hoping to come “drive the team on” to success in the National League next season,

The stopper was confirmed on a one-year contract following his release by rivals Chesterfield at the end of last season.

Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel, the 27-year-old said: “For me personally, I want to get as many games as I can and hopefully stay fit for the whole season, and hopefully drive the team on.”

The keeper kept 10 clean sheets in 18 appearances for Chesterfield last season and is hoping to bring that confidence with him to Huish Park.

He added: “I am coming in with a positive mindset, I am really happy to be here and I just can’t wait to get going.

“I am a bit of everything. I like to be dominant from crosses, I like to think one of my strong points is my distribution as well as being able to save the ball.”

Smithis the third signing of the summer for boss Darren Sarll having brought in defender Morgan Williams and midfielder Charlie Wakefield.

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Yeovil Town have announce the signing of former Chesterfield goalkeeper Grant Smith on a one-year contract.

The former Brighton stopper has spent time at a number of non-league clubs including Hayes and Yeading, Bognor Regis and Boreham Wood before spending the back end of the most recent season with the Spireites.

 

He played – and kept a clean sheet in Chesterfield’s 3-0 win over Yeovil in March, goals from Akwasi Asante, Tom Whelan and Jack McCourt sealed the three points.

We will bring you reaction on his signing here on the Gloverscast when we hear from our new ‘keeper.

Welcome to Huish Park, Grant!