9 Aug 2013 14:59

In a professional career spanning two decades, Simon “Smudger” Smith has played for over sixty-seven clubs. The ultimate utility player, as his pace has diminished Smudger has managed to reinvent himself time and again, from poacher to holding midfielder, centre-back to goalkeeper.

It’s Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial tonight and I think it’s a great thing.

It’s so nice that as a player approaches the end of his career he can arrange a bit of a money-spinner. No doubt Rio will have to open a pub in retirement just to stay afloat so it’s lovely that he can get one last big pay day out of football. If he’s anything like me he’ll end up returning to his paper round before long.

Testimonials are emotional occasions, as I know better than anyone. I can’t help but cast my mind back to that fateful night a couple of years ago…

I’m made up. As I look at the faces of the legends sitting around me in the changing room and hear the thousands of fans singing in one last celebration of an old pro, I am totally and utterly made up.

The lights go out and the television in the corner of the room turns on as if by magic, or a nearby hand. A glorious career plays out in front of us. I don’t even remember large chunks of it but the swelling music and choice cuts of a player at the top of his game bring a lump to my throat. I clear it and Becks mistakenly thinks I’m trying to get his attention and turns to me. I redirect him to the screen.

Leading out the team, lifting trophies, celebrating with living legends. It’s hard to believe that the dreams of one young hopeful from the north of England have all come true. I take a moment to think and reflect on my career and how different it is to the one on the screen – Gary Neville’s.

There are so many big names in this room and none bigger than Steve Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorff, the team’s physio. Still, I can’t tell you what a thrill it is to be sitting amongst David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs.

Fergie is there too, of course, and he gives Gary a handshake. We all applaud but I try not to get too caught up in the emotions. This may be a testimonial but it is still a game and there is still a job to be done. Especially for me.

The bossman lets go of Gary’s hand and gives the team-talk. It’s been a long time since I have played under Sir Alex; I’m surprised and, to be honest, a little disappointed with the lack of intensity in his address.

Perhaps he has mellowed with age but I see none of the drive that has led to so many trophies and championships. He more or less just says, ‘enjoy yourselves’.

There is no game plan, no areas of opposition weakness to target and not even a clearly defined shape. I was unsurprised when he decided to pack it in not long afterwards. The fire had clearly gone.

I’m sad to say that this lax attitude carried over into the game. The tackling was shamefully tame and I seemed to be the only one on the bench screaming for us to get into them.

Richard Heathcote

We were all over the place organisationally with Gary himself guilty of getting caught too far forward on a number of occasions. It was as if he was more interested in chasing a goal than containing their left-winger and it is truly sad that his last performance was quite so ill disciplined.

One can only hope it’s a different story tonight.

Whatever happens, Rio must not neglect his defensive duties. David Moyes needs to win this one or he’ll end up going the same way as Fergie - United are currently sitting 11th in the table and that simply isn’t good enough. The fans are entitled to ask questions unless things improve soon.

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