Smith confident of top-flight place

02 May 2011 07:30

Tommy Smith is confident QPR will be playing in the Barclays Premier League next season despite the threat of a points deduction.

Rangers celebrated promotion on the pitch on Saturday after goals from Smith and Adel Taarabt secured a 2-0 win at Watford. But on Friday the FA are expected to deliver their verdict on the seven charges against the club regarding the transfer of Argentinian midfielder Alejandro Faurlin, with some reports suggesting a 15-point deduction could be on the cards.

"We saw a few bits in the paper in midweek and everyone was talking about it, as you would," said 30-year-old winger Smith. "But the gaffer (Neil Warnock) has been great. He has assured us what is going to happen and put a bit of confidence back in us."

He added: "All we can do is put as many points on the table as we can and see what happens. But we are really confident it will just be a fine. We will have to wait and see what happens on Friday but the more we talk about it the more we feel things will be fine."

All being well, Warnock will be promoted for the seventh time in his career and will be handed the funds to build a side capable of staying in the top flight by the club's billionaire owners.

But Smith, who has previously been relegated from the Premier League with Watford and Portsmouth, is desperate for another chance to prove himself at the highest level.

"It's great to have another crack at the Premier League," he added. "A lot of the players have been there but not for long and some haven't at all, so for so many players it is such a huge achievement.

"The Premier League is probably more even than when I was last there. A lot of the teams in the bottom half are probably equal to the top of the Championship now.

"There is a bit of a gulf at the top but the likes of Blackpool have gone in and done really well.

"They have shown that if you don't have any fear you can go in and get results. Certainly for us there is a lot to look forward to."

Source: PA