Town defender Tommy Smith has admitted he was stunned to be axed from the starting line-up for the recent home defeat by Brentford.

It came as a surprise to supporters when they learned the central defender had been relegated to the bench and Smith admitted: “It shocked me as well to be honest but the manager is there to make those decisions on who he picks in the team.

“I knew I just had to sit there and bide my time and make sure that when I got my chance again I was ready.

“It was the manager’s decision and as players we all accept what he decides to do. A lot of players have been in and out of the side all season and we mustn’t forget that he has hard decisions to make all the time in terms of team selection.

“He said he wanted to play a right-footed and a left-footed centre-half to try to play out from the back a bit more. That was fair enough, I thought.”

Boss Mick McCarthy opted to switch captain Luke Chambers from right-back to partner Christophe Berra in the middle of the back four and Smith, an unused substitute in Town’s 3-1 defeat, explained how he learned of the manager’s decision.

He said: “The day before the game the gaffer named the team and he called me in beforehand to tell me personally, which I appreciated.

“I just had to get on with it. He explained his decision and I accepted it at the time, but obviously we have moved on since then because I was back in the team at the weekend.

“We had a discussion about it — there wasn’t anything heated or anything like that. At the end of the day he’s the manager and it’s his decision to make.

“I just have to take it on the chin and bide my time. You hope you don’t have to wait too long for your chance to come round again so I was glad he put me back in the team on Saturday and I think I did a good job.”

Asked if he felt he had a point to prove at Hillsborough, Smith replied: “I believe I’ve shown throughout the season that I’ve been quite solid and I knew if I got my chance again I would just do the same job I had been doing.”

After the defeat by Brentford the central defender attended the annual Supporters Club Player of the Year event to learn he had come third in the voting behind Freddie Sears and winner Bartosz Bialkowski. Smith said: “That was a massive accomplishment for me and I appreciate the fans’ support. Hopefully I can carry on repaying the faith they’ve shown in me.

“It is probably my most consistent season because in previous years I’ve probably been a bit more up and down at times. I’m really happy with my form this season and I think I’ve found that consistency that centre-backs need to have, so long may that continue.

“As a defender experience is a lot more important than a lot of other positions because if you make mistakes at the back it usually results in a goal against you. If you’re a striker and you miss a chance the next one is just around the corner.

“It’s all about application and not letting the downs affect you too much. Plus, I’ve had good people around me to support me along the way.”

Smith will tonight have to deal with Fulham and Scotland star Ross McCormack, who has netted 23 league and cup goals this season, and he added: “

He added: “He’s obviously a top player. You don’t pay £11 million for a player and not expect quality. He’s produced the goods in a Fulham side who haven’t been doing particularly well this season, which shows his quality all the more.

“I thought Fulham would be doing better this season but I think you could say that about a lot of teams this season.

“There are a lot who started the season looking to be in and around the top six but for one reason or another it hasn’t worked out that way. That’s the Championship for you — it’s a tough league that gets better and better every season in terms of quality.”

Photo: Action Images

Dissboyitfc added 06:53 - Apr 19 I was Surprised too, should have been Brera dropped to the bench who has been poor this season compared to last! We do need a Proper balance in central defence and a footballing centre half would be great! Always had a lot of time for Tommy.
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LimitlessBlue added 06:55 - Apr 19 Tommy got my vote for player of the season, he has been a very solid performer and folk ripped him to shreds in previous seasons so it was good to see him voted 3rd best player this season, fully deserved in my opinion.
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Steelmonkey added 07:21 - Apr 19 I agree we need a better balance at the back, but Chambers had an atrocious game at CH, having not played there for so long he's neither a RB or CH not much in the way he distributed the ball when playing either position it was still hoof ball. Foley didn't look at all comfortable at RB, still don't think he is 100% fit, or age has caught him up. Hope tonight we show some sort of ability to play the game as it should be played but not holding my breath on that score, might edge a 1:0.

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Penguinblue added 07:22 - Apr 19 It t was a poor decision from a poor manager, quite predictable really as Smith had been set up only a week or so before to sing MM's praises. The right foot/left foot reason doesn't ring true as MM had persisted and returned to that. What has Chambers got that Smith hasn't? Who can say, a bigger hoof, brown nose and a shammy leather may be, not football or captain ability.. ITFC has so much potential but it badly needs a football manager. Wake up and smell the coffee people. MM might have got us out of a hole once but he has nothing more to offer. Time to change. McCarthy OUT COYB

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JustSpivvyChops added 07:42 - Apr 19 “He said he wanted to play a right-footed and a left-footed centre-half to try to play out from the back a bit more. That was fair enough, I thought.” WHY THE FUC* DON'T YOU PLAY SMITH ON THE LEFT (he's left footed don't ya know!!!!) AND BERRA (he's right footed don't ya know!!!) ON THE RIGHT THEN MICK YOU FU**ING PLANK.................I've supported Mick always, whilst always recognising his obvious weaknesses, but now he's just pi55ins me off all the time, when the Mick inners are becoming outers, you know your time is up.

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50yearsablue added 07:59 - Apr 19 Perhaps I need to change my specs JustSpivvyChops. So Berra is right footed? Don't think so but his right foot is better than Tommy's
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prebsa added 08:13 - Apr 19 @JustSpivvyChops While i agree Berra should be on the right and Smith on the left Berra is not right footed! He just has a better right foot that Smith.
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floridaboy added 08:16 - Apr 19 How long has Berra had a right foot?
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JustSpivvyChops added 08:18 - Apr 19 My bad, I don't even know why I said he was right footed............morning madness probably!! Point stands, Smith should be on the left and Berra on the right if he's going to play that pairing.
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tractorshark added 08:26 - Apr 19 I think your time is up, SpivvyChops. That's the problem with this site. Just when you think you can have a reasoned and rational debate, there's always someone who can't tell their left from their right.
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JustSpivvyChops added 08:31 - Apr 19 It's ok, anything prior to 8am is subject to my "senile dementia" disclaimer............
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martin587 added 08:33 - Apr 19 You were not the only one.!!
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Tractorboy1985 added 08:36 - Apr 19 Justsodivvychops more like! 🙈 What a moronic comment on this beautiful day!
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Swansea_Blue added 09:20 - Apr 19 "How long has Berra had a right foot?" Quite a while otherwise he'd topple over ;-)
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Currie10 added 09:25 - Apr 19 As much better as you may have been the past 2 years, to be " shocked " at being dropped is bloody embarrassing and an issue I would say. Not as though you're quite that good Tommy..... VERY pleasing to hear McCarthy wants the ball played out of defence a bit more.
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TimmyH added 10:30 - Apr 19 So were we Tommy so were we!...but you just don't know at times what will Mick do with team selections, that day against Brentford he got it all wrong!
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Lightningboy added 10:53 - Apr 19 The problem (like last season) is that we have 3 really decent centre backs - but 3 into 2 doesn't go - so Mick's constant stubborness to play all 3 no matter what and not bring in a proper right back has probably cost us in the long term (certainly more this season than last). If he insists on playing all 3 again next season then he needs to change our system to 3-5-2 (with wing backs) and stick to it.

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prebbs007 added 10:55 - Apr 19 Very average player like most of our team. Nowhere near good enough for premiership and was just one of the back four who could all have been dropped as they have all been awful all season hence why our goal difference is zero !!!
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Currie10 added 11:48 - Apr 19 prebbs - it's very difficult to say who could play what level. I didn't think Delaney could play prem. He clearly can. Smith MAY be able to. Players like Carrick would be horrific in the championship due to having zero time on the ball. You just can never say that.
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ivegottheblues added 13:01 - Apr 19 Prebbs you're right - he's no better or worse than the rest of the defence. They are all hoofballers.
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prebbs007 added 13:25 - Apr 19 Currie10 you may be correct. I too am astonished how Damien the donkey who was covered every game here by McCauley can ever play at the top level. As for Tommy he panics every time the ball is on his right foot. He can't pass, he's not quick, and he regularly gets caught out by the ball over the top. He hoofs the ball all the time but is not alone. Not one of our defenders would get in a top 6 side. I would say it's not his fault he is played out of position but to be so one footed at this level as a defender will lead to problems. I personally would not have him in my team.

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BackTheBlues added 15:49 - Apr 19 Definitely agree with most - Smith has been our best defender this year by a distance! I'm starting to wonder if Berra is in decline? Great season last season - but this year hasn't got going at all and is struggling to get into the Scotland team. The back four needs to be built around Tommy next season!
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Tomairyn added 16:07 - Apr 19 How can anybody say that Berra is right footed when he clearly has two left feet !!! And a 50 pence head.
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sidtheswan added 16:22 - Apr 19 Sorry Tommy had to be done the distribution from the back four is appalling and it is very left sided. Well worth trying but in view of the result didn't work on this occasion .
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yorksblue added 17:07 - Apr 19 No doubting ability but as shown on Sat, sticks out like a sore thumb in current position, right side of central defence. Needs addressing more than anything imo
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