Tommy Smith return like ‘new signing’ for Cardiff City
Thu Jan 10, 2013 1:52 am
Malky Mackay has underlined the importance of Tommy Smith to his Bluebirds, saying that his return to action is like having a new signing.
Smith, a clever and experienced midfield player, is in Cardiff’s squad for Saturday’s Championship home match against Ipswich Town after an absence that stretches back to October.
The former Watford man damaged his hamstring against Watford and the road back has been long and challenging.
But Smith came through a 40-minute reserve-team outing against Exeter in the week and is ready to play some part for the first XI this weekend.
Mackay said: “Tommy is somebody who has a wealth of experience of this division and he knows how to get promoted out of the Championship.
“He has guile, is a quality footballer and can score a goal as well.
“Having Tommy available as we go into our 20 remaining league fixtures is like a new signing. He is a player who has improved the standard of the squad overall.”
Smith, a former team-mate of Mackay at Watford, who helped Queens Park Rangers win the Championship title in 2011, is on a two-year contract with the Bluebirds.
He joined City in a £300,000 transfer from the Loftus Road club.
“Tommy played for around 40 minutes in midweek and came through with no problems,” Mackay explained.
“We decided before the match how long he would play and he proved he is ready and will be in our squad for the visit of Ipswich.”
Smith, 32, played eight matches before suffering the injury, but is seen as a crucial player in City’s chase for automatic promotion.
The Hertfordshire-born former Sunderland and Portsmouth player believes the Bluebirds are on the right course in their chase for Premier League status.
Smith said: “There is so much which goes into preparing for every match, fine detail off the pitch which accounts for a massive amount when it comes to going for promotion.
“Preparation is crucial, making sure players are as fit as possible and working to make sure you hit that right blend of not conceding goals and scoring when you need them.
“That sounds obvious, but it’s not an easy balance. Clean sheets certainly win championships. In the Championship it’s crucial to have a strong back five, not concede too many and have players who can win you matches.
“Then you have to have a work ethic which means you put in as much or more effort and energy than the opposition. If all those factors are in place then you will win far more than you lose.
“This Cardiff squad is really strong and that’s why I came here.
“I was keen to be challenged and work for my place. There is an awful lot of talent here.
“Personally, I don’t mind whether I play right, left or through the middle. But I want to be part of what is happening here.
“There are strong similarities between this group and the QPR squad I was in when we won the Championship title two years ago.
“If anything, our squad is bigger than at QPR. If we can find the right blend there is every chance we can reproduce what Rangers did back then.”
Smith, a clever and experienced midfield player, is in Cardiff’s squad for Saturday’s Championship home match against Ipswich Town after an absence that stretches back to October.
The former Watford man damaged his hamstring against Watford and the road back has been long and challenging.
But Smith came through a 40-minute reserve-team outing against Exeter in the week and is ready to play some part for the first XI this weekend.
Mackay said: “Tommy is somebody who has a wealth of experience of this division and he knows how to get promoted out of the Championship.
“He has guile, is a quality footballer and can score a goal as well.
“Having Tommy available as we go into our 20 remaining league fixtures is like a new signing. He is a player who has improved the standard of the squad overall.”
Smith, a former team-mate of Mackay at Watford, who helped Queens Park Rangers win the Championship title in 2011, is on a two-year contract with the Bluebirds.
He joined City in a £300,000 transfer from the Loftus Road club.
“Tommy played for around 40 minutes in midweek and came through with no problems,” Mackay explained.
“We decided before the match how long he would play and he proved he is ready and will be in our squad for the visit of Ipswich.”
Smith, 32, played eight matches before suffering the injury, but is seen as a crucial player in City’s chase for automatic promotion.
The Hertfordshire-born former Sunderland and Portsmouth player believes the Bluebirds are on the right course in their chase for Premier League status.
Smith said: “There is so much which goes into preparing for every match, fine detail off the pitch which accounts for a massive amount when it comes to going for promotion.
“Preparation is crucial, making sure players are as fit as possible and working to make sure you hit that right blend of not conceding goals and scoring when you need them.
“That sounds obvious, but it’s not an easy balance. Clean sheets certainly win championships. In the Championship it’s crucial to have a strong back five, not concede too many and have players who can win you matches.
“Then you have to have a work ethic which means you put in as much or more effort and energy than the opposition. If all those factors are in place then you will win far more than you lose.
“This Cardiff squad is really strong and that’s why I came here.
“I was keen to be challenged and work for my place. There is an awful lot of talent here.
“Personally, I don’t mind whether I play right, left or through the middle. But I want to be part of what is happening here.
“There are strong similarities between this group and the QPR squad I was in when we won the Championship title two years ago.
“If anything, our squad is bigger than at QPR. If we can find the right blend there is every chance we can reproduce what Rangers did back then.”
Re: Tommy Smith return like ‘new signing’ for Cardiff City
Thu Jan 10, 2013 4:11 am
I agree with Malky.
You could see how gutted Tommy was when he got the original injury against Watford.
You could see how gutted Tommy was when he got the original injury against Watford.
Re: Tommy Smith return like ‘new signing’ for Cardiff City
Thu Jan 10, 2013 8:12 am
Its all starting to bubble up nicely.
Re: Tommy Smith return like ‘new signing’ for Cardiff City
Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:41 am
haha in other words, if Malky dont get anyone in ,he can always come back to this , well Tommy Smith is like a new signing .
Re: Tommy Smith return like ‘new signing’ for Cardiff City
Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:55 am
As he has only played 8 games in 5 months there is very little chance of him being burnt out towards the end of the season (despite his age).
Re: Tommy Smith return like ‘new signing’ for Cardiff City
Thu Jan 10, 2013 12:22 pm
worcester_ccfc wrote:I agree with Malky.
You could see how gutted Tommy was when he got the original injury against Watford.
Spot on. Right in front of the Canton.. he got a great reception walking off though.
Re: Tommy Smith return like ‘new signing’ for Cardiff City
Thu Jan 10, 2013 5:59 pm
Really glad to see him back, what a player