Town defender Tommy Smith believes Saturday’s play-off clash against Norwich is the most important game of his club career.

Smith, 25, who appeared in the 2010 World Cup with New Zealand, said: “It is definitely the biggest club game of my career. I’ve never been in a play-off situation before and as a club it’s been 10 long years since we’ve been in there.

“Everyone is really excited and looking forward to it. “I think it’s probably going to be the most important game I’ve played in because of the prize at the end of it.

“We haven’t done anything differently — we’ve prepared the same as we’ve prepared for every game this season — and there’s no point in changing what has made us successful so far. We’ve just cracked on this week and hopefully we’ll be prepared and ready to go.

“Playing in high-pressure games can only benefit you in this sort of situation but I think any player would be lying if they said they don’t get nervous for the big games.

“It’s how you channel that nervous energy into your performance that matters. With some people it affects them negatively but it’s about turning it into a positive energy and working best for your performance.”

Smith reflected on the bittersweet final game of the season at Blackburn last Saturday when, despite losing 3-2, they emerged to learn that they were in the play-offs thanks to results elsewhere, particularly at Derby as Reading pulled off a stunning 3-0 victory.

He added: “The feeling in the dressing room afterwards was very strange. Obviously, we were happy to make the top six but we were also very disappointed with the way that particular game had gone.

“It was strange and it didn’t really start to sink in that we had actually made the play-offs until we were halfway through the journey home and everyone started chirping up and becoming a bit more happy about it.

“During the game I heard the crowd cheer but I wasn’t sure whether there was still only a one-goal swing in it or it might have changed things.

“But when the final whistle went and we got told it was quite comfortable in the end it was a big relief because I wasn’t 100 per cent sure until then.

“Now we are ready to grab this opportunity to progress in the play-offs. I think we’ve proved ourselves against some of the top teams this season — obviously not quite so against Norwich but it’s time we owe them one.

“There is no guarantee this chance will come round again. This might be the only chance we have of getting ourselves into the Premier League, so we’ve got to put everything on the line, make sure we leave nothing inside that changing room and give it all we’ve got.”

Smith insisted he always believed the play-offs would be within Town’s reach this season, adding: “Apart from the first month of the season we’ve always been in and around it, and I always had every confidence that we were going to make it.”

Photo: Action Images

farquinell added 08:08 - May 8 Sadly Smithy i believe you need to be on the bench we need to go with chambers in the middle Parr right back. chambers is a better center half and Parr is a better right back. playing you weakens us in the full back position.
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Sospiri added 08:19 - May 8 Good point Sir, but is there any chance at all that Mick will do so?
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Bergholtblue added 08:49 - May 8 Parr at right back? His defending was awful against Blackburn.
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BYRNE_16 added 09:00 - May 8 Good Luck Tommy. We need blood, sweat, tears and goals!
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commuterblue added 09:31 - May 8 Come on Tommy, time for a MoM display. You have it in you
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Lightningboy added 09:40 - May 8 Parr's not a midfielder,Chambers isn't a right back. Smith needs to up his performances over these coming games..as do a few others.
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Gooders7592 added 09:56 - May 8 Some fans will never be happy. If Mick changed the back 4 now, like a few people want, and we lose those fans will then moan about him changing it. Keep the back 4, it's got us this far, and get behind Smithy, Chambers & Co!
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yorksblue added 10:14 - May 8 Lets just make sure you get through the next 2 games without the keystone kop defending we've seen throughout the season.
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itfc1981 added 10:22 - May 8 No more talk Tommy, step up to the plate this time. Nearly gave a pen away last time out.
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RaymondovicBlue added 10:54 - May 8 Mick will stick with his established back four barring injury - and whilst I might well have looked to change earlier in the season ... I'd certainly not change at this stage !! shame really - cos I'd love to see Connolly running at the yellow birds and ruffling a few feathers - but it's not going to happen. Mick will rightly stick with the tried and tested (yes, sadly sometimes found wanting, but sometimes brilliant) players who have earned this play off place in the first place. the most positive line up we can hope for is Bart Cambo Smith Berra Mings Varney Skuse Bishop Hunt Sears Murph Gerks, loan defender, Ando, N Hunt, Tabb, plus two others who wont play so no need to name them I know Norwich are favourites on paper - they sadly deserve that acknowledgement - but I am daring to believe COYB

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Seasider added 17:41 - May 8 What about Kevin Bru?
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