Source: Telegraph
Newcastle's Alan Smith out to prove his doubters wrong at St James' Park
Smith, 28, was an England regular during the Sven-Goran Eriksson era but then he broke his leg badly during a United game at arch-rivals Liverpool in 2006 that raised question marks about his professional future.
The former Leeds forward was eventually deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and joined Newcastle in a £6-million transfer two years ago when Sam Allardyce was in charge of St James’ Park.
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Smith’s ability to help Newcastle avoid relegation was hampered by an ankle injury that required surgery last season but now he is proving his doubters wrong with a series of impressive displays for the Tyneside club.
“I’m not too bothered about my personal form - I know I can play football and I know that injuries over the past two or three seasons have stopped me progressing as a player,” said Smith who gained the last of his England caps two years ago.
“But this season, I think will be perfect for me because there are a lot of games to be played and hopefully this season. I can play more games than I have done in the last two or three put together. That’s all I want.
“It’s nice to get personal praise but I know that we have players here that if I am not playing well or an inspiration to the team, there are others who are natural leaders in our dressing room now which we have not had since I have been at this football club.
“There’s myself, Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Nicky Butt, Steve Harper and then there’s younger lads, Steven Taylor’s got experience in the Premier League.”
Newcastle will visit Cardiff on Sunday when they will aim to consolidate their lead at the top of the Championship and Smith is insistent that there will be no complacency despite the unbeaten start to the season.
“We’ve made a good start. there were things we wanted to achieve as a team ahead of the international break and we’ll have a look at what we have done well and what we can improve on,” Smith told his club website.
“The main focus is that this is a long, long season. There are still 41 games left and we have to play every one of them as we have the opening five.
“As a fan, a player or as a manager, you want a team you can be proud of and we have that feeling 100 per cent. That’s the main difference and that’s the only thing that people on the outside looking in will be focusing on, asking is their attitude right.
“think in that first game at West Brom, everyone was just expecting us to just roll over and feel sorry for ourselves but we knew that would never be the case. Everyone can see we’re all working hard for each other and giving 100 per cent all the time.”
Smith, who has captained Newcastle this season due to injuries to Nicky Butt, said the team wanted to put right the disappointment of relegation.
The Yorkshireman continued: “I think what goes on and whatever happens, when you do get relegated, everyone is disappointed, your pride is hurt, the players who said they wanted to stay at this football club did it for a reason because they want to prove they are good enough to get back in the Premier League.
“Only time will tell if we can do that. Squad togetherness is important and I am sure everyone can see it. I think that’s the biggest impact on people who come and watch us play.
“When I speak to people, that is what they have said `You look so together and I have not seen that for a long, long time.’ So that means a lot to us because we are honest lads who want to stay, do well and get this club back in the Premier League.”
It is no wonder Smith is itching to help Newcastle gain promotion because he has also pledged not to shave until the club are beaten again.
“It started off as a bit of a joke to be honest but then a few of the lads told me to keep it going until we get beaten so I hope it’s still there at Christmas,” Smith added. “Mind you, I’ve had a bit of a reprieve. I’m going to trim it because it is starting to get a bit itchy now. I need to sort it out.”
