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Alas Smith and Folly

Last updated : 13 July 2006 By Chris C
Both Smith and Folly are two players that have failed to fulfil the undoubted potential that they showed in their brief opportunities in the first team. The changeover of managers and personnel certainly didn't help their cause, but, with both facing an extended spell on the bench or worse this season, a move may be best for all concerned.

Paul Smith, 26, came to Saints as a highly rated young keeper from Brentford back in 2004, but saw his opportunites limited by the world-class talent of Antti Niemi. Injuries to the incomparable Finn allowed Smith the occassional run in the first team, which included a memorable performance against Newcastle in the Premiership.

When Niemi left many fans felt that the Saints gloves were in a safe pair of hands, but after so long as the number 2, Smith showed some worrying lapses in confidence that led Burley to put Polish youngster Bart in goal almost immediately after his arrival.

Even when Bart was later ruled out for the season, stop-gap signing Kevin Miller soon got the nod and kept hold of the shirt in an ominous sign for Smith's career at Saints. Smith joins Nottingham Forrest for an undisclosed fee of between £250-500k. He made 18 starts and 2 substitute appearances for Saints.

Unlike some of Saints' previous exiting players (yes, you Kevin Phillips), he departed with good grace saying: "I would like to thank everyone at Southampton for the excellent times I had at the club and wish them all the best for the future. When the opportunity arrived for me to play for such a prestigious club as Nottingham Forest and to learn from an excellent young manager such as Colin Calderwood, I knew I had to take it."

Folly's opportunties have been even more limited at Southampton. The French youngster caught the eye of then manager Paul Sturrock in the reserves and was thrusted into the Premiership first team, as the club sought a replacement for the injured Matt Oakley.

He showed genuine ability on the ball and an eye for a pass, breaking up attacks and putting in some storming runs into the opposition penalty area. However, since then he has had precious few opportunities and has failed to take them, with a passing game that it perhaps better suited to the French league than the rigours of the Championship.

He joins his old manager Paul Sturrock at Sheffield Wednesday for a fee of around £200k after a successful loan period last season, meaning that he has actually had as many starts (14) for The Owls as for Saints. At just 21, he still has plenty of time to fulfil his potential and will no doubt have plenty of chance to flourish under a manager that clearly rates him.

Both players depart with best of wishes from Saints.