Sue Smith

Leeds United Ladies squad no. 11
caps 76
goals 14

Is Smith had any doubts that she had replaced Rachel Yankey as Hope Powell’s first choice on the left flank the fact that her potential rival was left out of the squad altogether will surely have removed them.
Smith will be lively and eager but England require genuine menace if the system they play is to succeed against the top nations. We struggle to score against the top defences and Smith needs to provide consistent service, or score herself, if that is to change in Finland.
Personally I’m sceptical of her ability to do that at this level but I would love to be proved wrong.

Italy: 1-2

5 out of 10

This was another tepid performance from the winger. Got to the byeline a couple of times but took too many easy and predictable options.
Smith's job is to hurt the opposition and she doesn't look to have the confidence or conviction to do so.

Russia: 3-2

4 out of 10

This was a totally unsatisfactory performance which ended with her substitition by Jess Clarke. Never attacked her full back, choosing to lay safe but meaningless passes back to Unitt or one of the midfielders, and posed no threat to the Russians in any way.
Smith didn't help out her own full back, who was up against a winger who actually wanted to cause problems, either.
Smith may well be retained because she fits into Hope Powell's sacred formation but that formation is never going to be effective without wingers who can hurt the opposition.

Sweden: 1-1

5 out of 10

Smith managed one effort on goal but again did little to hurt the opposition. It is fair to say that in the last two games the full back supposedly marking her has posed more of a danger going forward than Smith.

Finland: 3-2

6 out of 10

This was a better performance by Smith without being truly convincing. Came close with a good early effort and was involved in some slick attacking moves. She also put more effort into her defensive duties.
Should be under threat but doesn't appear to be.

Holland: 2-1

3 out of 10

This has now gone beyond a joke. How on earth could Smith be retained and Karen Carney left out?
This bizarre decision was put into stark perspective as Smith once again failed to make any impression before being removed at half time. Carney then came on to inspire an invigorated England performance.
It would be harsh to pick someone for every game and then leave them out of the final but that is what Hope Powell should now do. Smith has made no impression on any of the defences she has faced so far so why would she fare any better against Norway or, more probably, Germany?

Germany: 2-6

Smith will have been disappointed to miss out on the action altogether after starting every game in the lead up to the final but her omission was overdue and it is hard to believe that she could have made a positive difference against the Germans.