Mon Aug 11, 2014 8:56 am
Tommy Smith wants to show he's still got it after Cardiff City exit
Aug 11, 2014
By Jacob Murtagh
Forward earned Bees a point with late leveller against Charlton
Plenty to offer: Tommy Smith feels as fit as ever
Brentford forward Tommy Smith is desperate to show he’s still got something to offer after a year in the Cardiff cold.
The former Bluebird was shown the door in the summer after a miserable campaign where he failed to make a single Premier League appearance.
However, the 34-year-old was handed a deal by the Bees after impressing on trial and climbed off the bench to bag the equaliser on his debut in Saturday’s stalemate with Charlton Athletic.
And Smith says he feels fitter than ever as he tries to make his mark at Griffin Park.
He said: “I had a great time at Cardiff but my chances were limited last year. It’s a long season when you don’t play. I still feel I’ve got a lot to offer and there’s some running in the legs left.
“In the summer I found myself in an unusual position where I was without a club, and you’re constantly looking at the phone waiting for it to ring.
“It was a worry because you want to be sorted somewhere and I missed the first few weeks of pre-season, which was tough.
“I had to do bits on my own to try and keep myself fit but it’s difficult to replicate what you would do in a group.
London calling: Smith is delighted to be back in the capital
“I know the manager Mark Warburton from my time at Watford and he let me come in and train. We spoke every day and after two or three weeks we got it sorted.
“It’s great to be part of a club that’s going places. Everyone is hungry for success and looking forward to the future.
“I want to play on as long as I can and feel as fit as ever. The aches and pains are worse in the mornings but I can still keep up with the youngsters.”