Goalscoring hero Tommy Smith says he was fully prepared for Saturday’s game against Leeds despite initially being named amongst the substitutes. Smith was a late replacement for Darren O’Dea after the on-loan Celtic man limped off in the warm-up and went on to net the Blues’ winner in a 2-1 victory over the Whites.

Smith admits his inclusion came as a surprise: “It was a bit of a shock but I made sure I was ready for it. We’d already started the warm-up and Darren said he was feeling his knee a bit. I was told to prepare properly and that’s what I did, I had my pasta, got an early night.

“The gaffer said just before kick-off that I was going to score and it happened! I’m as pleased as anyone.”

The central defender is now after more, having netted twice so far this season: “I think everyone needs to chip in with their fair share of goals. Gareth and myself have got three between us so far, maybe we could chip in with a few more.

“Hopefully, I’ll get a few more before the end of the season, if I can keep my place in the team. The competition for places here is really good. We’ve got four international centre-halves and I’m not sure there are many other teams in the Championship who can say that.”

Smith held up his hand to having had some part in Leeds’ equaliser: “It was a little bit of a mix-up between myself and Gareth. I shouted for the ball and we’ve ended up both going for it. I’ve called for it but I think it might have been a bit more down his channel.

“It was a sloppy goal to concede, we both know that, and we’re just happy we got the winner in the end so it didn’t matter.”

The 20-year-old is disappointed to have been withdrawn from the New Zealand squad for friendlies with Paraguay and Honduras next week but is keen to get his back injury sorted: “I haven’t played in New Zealand yet but there will be plenty of future opportunities hopefully

"It’s a disappointment but I’ve got to look at the bigger picture. There will be plenty more opportunities to play for New Zealand and I’d rather get the back nipped in the bud while I can.

“Playing’s not the problem, it’s travelling and sitting down. It’s posture more than anything. I’d probably be OK if the game was in England, but the 24-hour flight’s not going to do it any good at all.”

Smith will be getting the problem checked out during the international break: “I’m going to see a specialist in the week and hopefully he can sort it for me. I started feeling it in February and it wasn’t too bad at all. Recently it’s been getting a bit worse, but it’s not too bad.

“I’ve had a couple of scans and I think it’s something to do with a disc in my back pressing against a nerve. I think it’s more of an overuse thing rather a real problem. I didn’t have much of a break over the summer and if we can get it under control, I think it will be fine in the future.”

Photo: Action Images

Bergholtblue added 11:22 - Oct 4 Apart from the Leeds goal I thought Smith was outstanding and unlucky not to be named from the start. He is looking to be a really good centre back and here's hoping he gets his back problem sorted quickly.
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FenboyBlue added 12:53 - Oct 4 I'd be interested in knowing Tommy's pasta of choice. I favour a wholewheat fusilli but I'd have what he's having now.
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Back_The_Boss added 13:40 - Oct 4 He deserves to start more often. Had a decent game and took the header well.
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ITFCKeano added 13:41 - Oct 4 We need to get some of Tommys pasta to our forwards - maybe its the new spinach. I can see it now, 10 mins to go and Wickham warms up from the bench, sat with his big bowl of Tommys pasta - does a popeye style arms and legs bulge - comes on and scores a hatrick. Maybe Tommy should sell his own brand of pasta. Would be good marketing.
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nthstd added 14:03 - Oct 4 Rigatoni with tuna, chilli flakes and olive oil, always does me the 2 hours before a marathon.
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ArnieM added 15:06 - Oct 4 interesting reading others views on young Tommy. I said last season that he will come back a man from the Wolrd Cup experience , and I think he's done really well so far this season. But I also feel he is showing signs of mental fatigue with more and more errors creeping into his game . I wondered if he needed to be given a short "rest" period - maybe the 2 week break will help. But Delaney will Im sure come back into the CB positon at some point soon, because when Tommy panics and hoofs it , or makes the "wrong" decison, McAulay looks decidedly unsettled as he covers for TS. Im not intending to have a go at Smith , as I feel he will be our CB of choice ....but sometimes these kids just need to come out of the firing line for a bit to absorb the learning experience.

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Acen added 15:45 - Oct 4 Noice 1 Tommy!
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robdaful added 17:15 - Oct 4 Well done Tommy. Nice to see you doing good. Can anyone see Delany getting a place in the team with so many defenders doing well.
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Ipswich24 added 17:57 - Oct 4 I do agree with Arnie M for me he is good back up but not 1st choice he does make a lot of basic errors gets caught out quite a bit and his distribution is quite poor but delany was like that when 1st come in so with few more games under his belt should improve
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SuperTommySmith added 16:56 - Oct 5 Legend.
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