Jack Smith - Any info?

Anyone know anything about this guy?

"And City have signed 20-year old central defender Jack Smith from Vanarama National League side Eastleigh. He will go into the squad for tomorrow's long trip to Margate."

Eastleigh's pretty basic website came up with...

http://www.eastleighfc.com/players/jack-smith/

He hasn't started any matches for them this season. Does our development squad not have any central defenders?

He's spent time on loan at Wantage, Abingdon and Fleet in the past.

comrade powell wrote:Eastleigh's pretty basic website came up with...

http://www.eastleighfc.com/players/jack-smith/

He hasn't started any matches for them this season.  Does our development squad not have any central defenders?

hmm it does seem like the morale amongst Bath's development squad defenders will take a knock.... hopefully he'll get a decent run out so a fair view of his ability can be ascertained, or will he just be an impact defender?

Made up name surely?
He does appear on our web page squad list. Not sure when he was added.
http://www.bathcityfc.com/players14.htm

I thought we had Luke Matthews. Can't we recall him from Supermarine or wherever he went?

Roman Mike wrote:Made up name surely?
He does appear on our web page squad list.  Not sure when he was added.
http://www.bathcityfc.com/players14.htm

I thought we had Luke Matthews.  Can't we recall him from Supermarine or wherever he went?

Has anyone ever come back from being on loan and re-established themselves as a regular?

2weirdtown wrote:

Roman Mike wrote:Made up name surely?
He does appear on our web page squad list.  Not sure when he was added.
http://www.bathcityfc.com/players14.htm

I thought we had Luke Matthews.  Can't we recall him from Supermarine or wherever he went?

Has anyone ever come back from being on loan and re-established themselves as a regular?

Yes, Chris Holland. I've forgotten which team he was on loan to, but I know which T**m he came from!

Jack Smith is 18 not 20years of age as on the club website. He is on loan from Eastleigh and has been a scholar in their academy for last 2 years. He has been a member of the first team squad at Eastleigh since very early on in the academy. He has been out on loan learning his trade in men's football since age of 16, very young for a central defender. Has been loaned out in Wessex league, Hellenic league and southern league. Made debut appearance for Eastleigh aged 17 as central defender v Havant and Waterlooville in eastleigh's promotion season from Conference. Has been on bench a couple of times in national league this season but mostly out on loan to gain more and more experience. He is very young and obviously still learning. I get your point about using Bath's own development players, but as you know all young academy players have to go where they are told to go at that moment in time. I'm sure Jack must be thrilled to have an opportunity at national league south level.

Now he is here let's hope that he does as well as Baldwin at the start of the season. Maybe it will give Matt Coupe a well deserved breather to be on the bench for a few games bit it's not an ideal situation. From what you are saying, Jack Smith will only be here for a few weeks and then we are back to square one. With respect, Bath City should be aiming to develop and give experience to the players on its books not Eastleigh's.
Perhaps when Junior wakes up he can tell us what he thought of his second half performance.

My understanding is he has signed for us rather than a loan deal.

I spent most of the second half twiddling with buttons and microphones that I didn't overly notice him. We didn't have to do much defending actually.

Yes, but did he defend it confidently?

I suppose it is possible he intends coming to Bath Uni next year and will then link up with the Development Squad, hence his signing for us now.