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The 20-year-old is disappointed to have been withdrawn from the New Zealand squad for friendlies with Paraguay and Honduras next week but is keen to get his back injury sorted: "I haven’t played in New Zealand yet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.”