New Zealand's shortage of quality defenders means Hudson needs to treat Smith like a spouse with anger issues; lovingly, tenderly and with the ultimate goal of not setting him off again.
Without Smith and Winston Reid in New Zealand's backline, the chances of qualifying for the next World Cup go from optimistic to not-so-mistic.
But in exchange, the All Whites need to know that Smith has made them a priority.
He has to be fully invested. He must turn up to the eight-day camps, be a leader, help shape Kiwi football culture for the next four years, and be our main guy. I would just love to hear him say it.
Steven Holloway: Call home Kiwi defenders
And there can be no more ultimatums either. Smith sent Herbert an email last year before the World Cup qualifier with Mexico, demanding that he join the team camp late so he could play an extra game for Ipswich, or else.
No more Tommy, no more. Best behaviour please.
When the All Whites meet up for an eight-day camp in Asia next month, Smith will be our second most important player. Hopefully, he clicks with Hudson, finds his patriotism again and can help shape a team that will get us back on to the world stage.
Emblen sacking black mark
Lost amid all the Power Point presentations, rekindled relationships and player-droppings last week, was the sacking of assistant coach Neil Emblen. What a huge, shocking loss.
It was no secret that the players loved Emblen, and Emblen loved the job.
He walked out on a very successful stint as Waitakere United coach after they made him choose between his club and country and did a stand-up job as interim coach before Hudson was appointed.
In fact, in his two games in charge, Emblen produced some of the best possession-based football New Zealand had seen in the last 20 years.
So what happened? Emblen is still too shocked by the decision to speak to the media and Hudson said his new choice, former Bahrain assistant Alex Armstrong, "complements him better".
Hudson also said that the All Whites environment in Doha was "too comfortable", and declared the boundaries between players and staff as being allowed to become "blurred".
Was this Emblen's undoing? He got on too well with the players?
Emblen's sacking was the one black mark on a positive, progressive day for New Zealand Football. Hudson delivered a clear, concise, sobering view of New Zealand Football's troubles, and a plan to turn the ship around. Let's just hope that ditching his first mate is not a big mistake.
Emblen is a quality coach with a great personality and an impressive CV. He won't struggle to find new work, but hopefully he is not lured off shore.
In a country lacking quality coaches, it's imperative that he remains involved with the New Zealand coaching setup at some level.
4 thoughts on the game
1 How about those A-League crowds?
What a terrific start to the A-League season. On Friday night 33,000 fans turned up to watch Adelaide United play Melbourne Victory and 41,213 turned up for the Sydney derby on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.
2 But what about the Phoenix?
Only 7767 fans turned out to watch the Phoenix home opener but they deserve much more. An away win over the talented Central Coast Mariners showed their pedigree; now they need another 5000 fans.
3 Could Auckland's dominance be over?
Team Wellington toppled Auckland City in the Charity Cup last weekend and have a real shot at breaking up Auckland's dominance in the national league for the first time in a decade.
4 Hudson is a natural with the Power Point
Hudson owned the stage during his 30-minute "how to save the All Whites" presentation last week and will be back in action on November 6 at the Friends of Football Celebration of Excellence dinner.
