Having already been labelled 'disgraceful' by his own manager Alan Smith added another red card to his growing collection last Sunday. As if that wasn't enough last night he gave Le Saux an (unpunished) fore-arm smash - LS was stretchered off with concusion. Another FA Disciplinary looms and if there is any justice he won't be allowed anywhere near a football pitch for some considerable time.

No tears from me, he's an irritating little thug, but he is talented and v. hard working (though I sometimes question his stamina). However nevermind F*****'s arrival at Elland Road with this level of violence, and his inability to curtail it, I'm beginning to question whether he's jeopardising his whole career. Any comments?

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2001

Answers

Leeds have always been a dirty side, and have enjoyed the reputation of playing hard football. But there's a difference in hard and dirty (ooer) - Batty was hard, but Smith is dirty. For me, I'd be happy to see Smith languish under an extended ban 'cos he's a bugger to play against.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2001

"...'cos he's a bugger to play against."

and I don't wanna sore @r$e !

;7)

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2001

I'm sure I heard on the Monday night premier league show that Smith has ADD, which really seems to explain his misbehaviour. I was really interested because my kid suffers from same, basically a brain imbalance that causes symptoms like hyperactivity due to inability to concentrate and a really vindictive approach to anything that's perceived by the sufferer as a gross injustice, however small the action. John McEnroe is apparently a high profile sufferer as well. Its treatable with a fairly potent Schedule A drug called Ritalin, but incorrect doseages can cause major problems.In light of this, I can understand why the guy seems so highly strung. To label his conduct as "disgraceful", O'Leary hasn't done him any favours, just shown a basic lack of understanding of the guy's condition.

For the record, I enjoy Smith's play, a real worky ticket and a canny player, admired his backheel flick and turn on the ball type goal earlier this season. The fact that he's a sufferer like my kid makes me warm to him more.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2001

Hadn't heard about the ADD, Bok. Certainly explains alot. My cousin has some form of it, but was unfortunate to be born at a time when little was known about it so was labelled a problem child and put on every drug known to man, and shuffled from dr to dr and various homes for troubled kids, thus screwed up for life. Very intelligent kid, but continues to struggle due to his bouts of violent temper.

If this is the case with Smith, I hope he gets whatever help he needs. It would be a shame to lose his talent.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2001

Interesting Bok. I found this. If as you say, Smith suffers from this, it is indeed a bad indictment on his manager to spout off the way he did.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2001

I have to say Bobby, I think Batty was dirty too. Don't get me wrong, loved him when he played for us, but let's be honest I saw him put in some shocking tackles over the years.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2001

Thanks for the comments. Its fairly commonly diagnosed these days, a bit sad really given the fact that the diagnosis is only a fairly recent trend. imagine how may people's lives have been blighted by the fact that people would just label them "bad kids", or in Smith's case having a "bad attitude/ dirty player". I left SA for that very reason, my boy'd only recently been diagnosed, but the stigma was already there, "naughty kid" before he'd started junior school. Clean sheet here, no complaints.

-- Anonymous, December 01, 2001

We should take him at a bargain price £3.5m - £4.5m.

Be honest, he's Shearer in his early Soton days.

-- Anonymous, December 02, 2001