It’s rare in football to have a group as close and together

Tommy Smith unconcerned by Cardiff City's lack of flair
Feb 8 2013

Tommy Smith
“It’s rare in football to have a group as close and together as we are."

TOMMY Smith admits Cardiff City are not burning up the Championship – but he’s not bothered as long as the Bluebirds keep racking up the points.

City head to Huddersfield tomorrow 10 points clear of the Championship pack and aiming for a sixth successive away win.

“We have enjoyed our wins, but it’s true we are not setting the league alight in pure football terms,” admitted Smith.

“It's tough to do that in the Championship, but we have a great dressing room and the players give everything for each other every time we go out.


“It’s rare in football to have a group as close and together as we are.

“Once you are in that position it’s clear how important that can be and it shows up in matches.

“Results are going well, but nobody is getting carried away. Consistency is the key to success.”

The Bluebirds have suffered only one defeat in 14 Championship matches and have broken free of the chasing pack with 17 matches left.

But Smith, who has been promoted with Watford and Queens Park Rangers, is clear nothing counts but the next match.

“We must not – and will not – look too far ahead,” he said.

“If you show lack of respect to the opposition you will get beaten.

“Our defeat against Peterborough wasn’t down to that, but I think everybody outside the squad expected us to win.

“The players didn’t buy into that, but it was a lesson which underlined every match is going to be difficult.

“We all know promotion is our target and to achieve that we have to stay focused every step of the way.”

“We must maintain the consistency because that has put us in a solid position at the top of the table.”

That's very interesting and says a whole lot considering Tommy hasn't been here very long compared to a lot of the other players.

Malky has done real wonders. It's clear as day now why we got rid of Gerrard. To think I wanted him to stay too.