Tommy Smith is reluctant to admit Town face a further season in the Championship as a result of the 1-1 draw with play-off rivals Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend.

Victory over the Owls at Hillsborough would have reduced the gap between the sides to five points and Smith admitted: “It looks like we are going to miss out but until it’s mathematically not possible any more we’ll keep doing all we can to close that gap.”

Eight points off the play-off zone with just four games left to play, Town go into tonight’s penultimate home fixture against Fulham needing a miracle if they are going to resurrect their promotion dream and Smith added: “It is disappointing, considering where we’ve been for most of the season, either within touching distance or even sat in those top six places.

“And especially after last year — not reaching the same heights as last year is disappointing for everyone at the club.”

Asked to pinpoint the reasons why Town appear unable to emulate last season’s sixth-place finish, New Zealand international Smith said: “I think if you look at the players we’ve had missing through injury over the course of the season, if we’d had everybody fit there’s no doubt we would have been in there. But these things happen in football.

“We try to do the best we can without certain players — obviously Ryan Fraser was a massive loss, plus Didzy for most of the season and other players who have been important for us also picking up niggles here and there. I think we also need to look at ourselves in the mirror and say we haven’t quite reached the same heights as last season.”

Meanwhile, Andre Dozzell’s progress has been the silver lining to Town’s slump in form that has seen them win just one of their last eight league games and Smith believes there is no chance of the 16-year-old midfielder, who marked his senior debut as a half-time substitute at Hillsborough with a point-saving equaliser, getting carried away.

Dozzell will start against the Cottagers tonight but Smith said: “I don’t think his dad will let him do that but we’re all obviously delighted for him after he came on for his debut and scored a goal, an important goal at the time because it got us back into the game.

“He’s only a young boy and he keeps himself to himself but he’s a talented player who has every chance and hopefully we’ll see a bit more of him in our remaining games.”

A drop of the shoulder from Smith paved the way for Town’s leveller and the defender added: “The gaffer has been trying to get us to do more of that, playing from the back, recently. It was good to be involved in the goal but the main thing was that we got it and it’s just unfortunate that we didn’t manage to get all three points.

“Andre is very talented with a nice left foot. He’s similar to Bish [Teddy Bishop] in a lot of ways with the body feints and the way he can sell you dummies. For someone who’s not physically strong he does handle himself quite well.

“It’s important for him not to get too big-headed but I’m sure his dad will keep him on the straight and narrow. He’s also got the right people around him at the club — the gaffer and the senior pros will look after him.”

Smith recalled how he made his own league debut at the age of 18 and remembered: “It’s nerve-racking to begin with but once you cross that white line the adrenalin kicks in and you switch to the normal mode of playing football. You’ve got to try to enjoy it because you never know when it might all come to an end.

“It comes down to attitude, application and a bit of luck as well. You need luck in football. Unfortunately, within a few weeks of making my debut I broke my ankle. That can happen in football and it’s about how you deal with the setbacks that come your way.”

Photo: Action Images

Daz added 07:25 - Apr 19 Well said Smith. Injury has hindered this season but also has team selection and poor signings this year. Best thing Mick has done to play Dozzell. Will hopeful bring some supports back and lift hope for next season
1

essex57 added 07:56 - Apr 19 Very interesting comment Tommy gaffers been trying to get us to play it out from the back I thought reading from the coaches on here that the gaffer only trained you to hoof the ball up the pitch.
-2

prebsa added 08:14 - Apr 19 Oh look whos popped up to say hello, and we were all enjoying not having to read the rubbish you post essex57
0

essex57 added 09:33 - Apr 19 Couldn't resist it I will go back into hibernation just a passing comment who says your comments are not rubbish they are just opinions.
0

essex57 added 09:55 - Apr 19 Couldn't resist it I will go back into hibernation just a passing comment who says your comments are not rubbish they are just opinions.
0

Seasider added 16:02 - Apr 19 Essex 57.If you read the above quote Tommy says "that the gaffer has been getting us to play it out from the back more RECENTLY. Could it be that despite what he says he has taken on board the fans criticism of too much hoofball;or could just s imply be that his target man is out?
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls