Smith in limbo
By Adam Summers

Monday 22nd January 2007

WEYMOUTH skipper Ben Smith has admitted that his future has been taken out of his hands. The talented midfielder had two deals on the table from Football League clubs early last week but since the Wessex Stadium outfit took all its players off the transfer list he has once again been left in limbo.

Speaking yesterday Smith said: `At the moment you will just have to talk to Gary Calder (Weymouth chief executive) about it because things have obviously changed. All I can say is that I am still very much a Weymouth player."

When asked whether the fee for his services, Smith added: "I presume so. The club hasn't told us too much since we were all taken off the transfer list. We don't know what is going to happen."

Smith, who is contracted until 2009, is seen as Weymouth's most saleable playing asset. Calder said: "We have not received any offers for any of the players as yet and there is nothing else to report. We will regroup again tomorrow (today) and just take it from there."

Smith is still waiting to serve a one-match ban for picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at Forest Green Rovers on New Year's Day. Since that 3-2 defeat the Terras have not played a competitive match due to cancellations.

Smith said: "It could end up being a month before I play again. I spoke to Steve Tully and he said the pitch was looking awful at Exeter City so Tuesday's game (tomorrow) could be off as well.

"I think we have all had enough of it now and we just want to be out there playing." When asked whether the long lay-off will have an affect on the fitness of the squad, Smith added: `At this time of the season it is good to have a break for a week but two to three weeks is probably a bit too long. Saying that, with all the upheaval at the club recently perhaps it is a blessing in disguise. I just hope the Exeter game goes ahead so I can play on Saturday

against Northwich Victoria." Jason Tindall has taken over the reins at the Terras until the end of the season
and so far Smith has been impressed with the ex-AFC Bournemouth man's management style. He said: "It has been really good. He has a different way of doing things than Garry Hill and it is a good chance for him. He is encouraging us to pass the ball a lot more which is something I like to do but obviously we do need to add the squad."

Tindall, who brought in Cherries' midfielder James Coutts on loan until the end of the season last week, is currently in talks with another youngster.

He said: "I am speaking with someone but obviously at this moment in time I do not want to say who. Hopefully I can get him here before the Exeter game but we will just have to wait and see. He is a younger
player but he is not a 17 or 18 year-old. He also has a very good CV"

The Terras trained on Saturday. Tindall added: "We had a good session and after that I went and watched
Exeter play Gravesend & Northlleet. The pitch (at St James' Park) was not in the best of conditions in the second half but fingers crossed tomorrow's game will be on."