Source: Northern_Echo
Smith's new outlook
NEWCASTLE have had some hairy moments in the last 12 months, but Alan Smith is hoping the hairiest is still to come.
At the start of the season, the Magpies skipper vowed not to shave off his beard until Newcastle suffered their first defeat of the season. Six games in, and he is now sporting an impressively bushy growth.
The unbeaten run will be tested when Chris Hughtons side travel to third-placed Cardiff City on Sunday, but with games against Blackpool, Peterborough, Plymouth and Ipswich to follow this weekends trip to the newly-built Cardiff City Stadium, Smith is hoping the clippers can remain in their sheath for some time yet.
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 its still there at Christmas, said Smith.
Mind you, Im going to have to trim it because its starting to get a bit itchy now and I need to sort it out.
Weve made a good start.
There were things we wanted to achieve as a team ahead of the international break, but 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.
While the whole of the Newcastle squad have responded positively to last seasons relegation, Smiths form at the heart of midfield has been particularly revelatory.
Many expected the former England international to jump ship in the summer, but having taken over the captains armband from Michael Owen, his attitude and approach to life in the Championship has been first class.
Its nice to get personal praise, he said. But Im 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.
I think this season will be perfect for me because there are a lot of games to play and hopefully Ill play more this season than in the last two or three put together.
Having already experienced relegation with Leeds, Smith was devastated to drop out of the top-flight for a second time, but with the Magpies having started the current campaign strongly, the 28-year-old senses a determination to right last seasons wrongs.
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, Smith told nufc.tv.
