Leon Bailey (out on loan to AS Roma)

[Rigadon]

The last two posts, in the order they are in, is another reason why this website continues to draw me in after a good many years.   

[martyn ellis]

Any news on his injury?

Unsurprisingly, he's not in any of the images of training on the official website, but it would be good if we could get more regular updates on players' injuries. He said himself it wasn't bad so let's hope it's just a tight thigh, though thigh injuries can linger on. Would be great to see what he can do against Utd.

[Toronto Villa]

I’ve never understood in what would it be beneficial for a football manager to publicly disclose player fitness/injury info.

[algy]

I’ve never understood in what would it be beneficial for a football manager to publicly disclose player fitness/injury info.

I'm struggling to think of a reason why that would be useful either.

[robbo1874]

Smith always gets asked about injuries in every pre- match presser and always lists them. I’ve concluded that it shows he knows what’s what and is across everything going on. There is no other reason really

[Risso]

All managers do, surely. It's just part of keeping the supporter base informed. I'm struggling to think of an occasion when not being honest about it has led to a material difference in a match we've played.

[martyn ellis]

TV and Algy - Of course I agree; it's just the frustration of wondering whether a player will be fit sooner or later that gets to me. But you're right; no need to wash our dirty linen in public.

[cdbearsfan]

All managers do, surely. It's just part of keeping the supporter base informed. I'm struggling to think of an occasion when not being honest about it has led to a material difference in a match we've played.

I think Smith thinks he's being clever and keeping the opposition guessing. It's an entirely pointless exercise as they will always find out information from the rival dressing room anyway.

[WarszaVillan]

If Smith thinks it gives the team an advantage, however small, then then that's a good enough reason to do it.

[West Derby Villan]

If Smith thinks it gives the team an advantage, however small, then then that's a good enough reason to do it.

Of course, other managers keep their cards close to their chest concerning injuries. Why would you give any information to your opponents.

[ChicagoLion]

People know who is in full training and who is not. To think injuries are somehow kept as a big secret is a bit niave.



 

[SoccerHQ]

There's nothing wrong with saying someone like Sanson will be out for a few months instead of the cloak and dagger stuff we seem to be getting about him.  Even know people are putting him in starting 11 for tonight yet I have no clue if he's even training and he wasn't on the bench Saturday.

We all knew Trez had been ruled out for rest of 2021 as club announced it straight away so bit odd sometimes when we seem to be very secretive.

Anyway seems rumour is Bailey will be out for a few weeks although hope not as that would be really frustrating as he'd be a potential match winner in the Spurs game.

Don't think there's any chance he'll be risked tonight. Would expect AEG and Traore to start, Buendia aswell.

[Drummond]

All managers do, surely. It's just part of keeping the supporter base informed. I'm struggling to think of an occasion when not being honest about it has led to a material difference in a match we've played.

I think Smith thinks he's being clever and keeping the opposition guessing. It's an entirely pointless exercise as they will always find out information from the rival dressing room anyway.

So why doesn't it make it into the public domain then?

[Risso]

I'm sure most other Premier League managers just do what we do if it's one of our better players. Take what Smith says then add on 6 weeks...

[mr underhill]

I thought he was tremendous against Everton but heseems a very fragile, injury prone player. Has this always been the case?