Town are not short of leaders as they prepare for two titanic play-off clashes against arch-rivals Norwich, with the winners Wembley-bound for the final that carries a £120 million promotion prize.

That is the view of defender Tommy Smith, who only turned 25 at the end of March but who recently reached the 200-appearance landmark and admits he will have plenty to say for himself in the build-up to kick-off at Portman Road tomorrow.

Smith said: “We’ve got strong characters throughout the dressing room, a lot of experienced pros. The captain, Chambo, is top-notch and he has his piece to say in the changing room before games and then during games too. There are a number of other players who can step in and do that as well.

“Stephen Hunt, Christophe Berra, Cole Skuse and myself can all speak up. We try to get some words of encouragement going before and during games.

“The huddle, that’s for Chambo to say his bit, but I’ll be making sure before the warm-up and stuff that everyone knows what’s at stake.

“I’ve been at the club a long time and been in and around the first-team environment so I feel I can no longer call myself a youngster. I’ve just made my 200th appearance for the club so I would class myself in that experienced bracket.

“It’s a nice career landmark, but it didn’t come as smoothly as it might have done. Injuries and things along the way have made it bumpy progress but I am delighted to have made that milestone.

“I think my form this season has been pretty solid. There has been the odd mistake but I don’t think you will find a defender in the league that hasn’t made a mistake.

“The gaffer has been brilliant. If you make a mistake he will take you into the office and show you on the video what he thinks you could and perhaps should have done better. Then it’s by the wayside and you move on. The gaffer says that any mistake we’ve made, he’s done it twice.”

Smith has come in for more than his fair share of criticism from supporters, even this season as Town have blazed a trail into the top six, but he is relaxed about the situation.

He added: “I notice it every now and again, at games and also on social media, but in every walk of life you are going to get criticism from somewhere and you can’t please everybody.”

Photo: Action Images

bluefeast added 07:54 - May 8 smith to score
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JackITFC96 added 08:23 - May 8 Deserves more respect than he gets, good player, good lad and a Town boy!
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Sospiri added 08:46 - May 8 I like Tommy the man. Is he one of our two best centre backs? Not so sure.
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TR11BLU added 09:08 - May 8 Get your head on a corner Tommy, late on, in front of the NS.....
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AwayDays added 09:47 - May 8 I think Tommy genuinely might get on the score sheet tomorrow. Can be seo effective in the air from set pieces.
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BackTheBlues added 11:41 - May 8 100% given every week - not the most talented but has been better than Berra in the last 2 games! Got no problem with the lad whatsoever!
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