Tommy Smith was glad to be back in action over the weekend, even if his return was restricted to being from the bench in the goalless draw with an improving Ipswich Town.
“It’s always tough sitting and watching, but when your team is playing well it certainly makes the workplace easier to come into,” he said. “The guys have lifted the club top of the Championship and this club deserves to be there because they’ve put in a lot of hard work and reaped the rewards.
“It’s a real shame we couldn’t take all three points against Ipswich, but when you look at other results it is a point gained.”
Tommy’s contribution could prove vital over a fixture packed second half of the season. January, thanks to the moved Leicester game offers the last chance for a break before six games in February, five in March and six in April. It’s a time when squad fitness limits will be fully tested, but Tommy is glad that his team, by no fluke, enter 2013 on top of the Championship pile.
“The League table doesn’t lie and we are top because we have been consistent and able to adapt to teams and formations we come up against,” he said. “This league is all about consistency and clean sheets. We’ve managed to do a solid job on both and we have a strong and stable back four, which is crucial. We’ve been consistent at the back, while we also have players in all areas who can score goals. There are five or six who have a decent total.
“The manager has also found the right blend of youth and experience. The future for Cardiff City looks bright, but we have to keep our heads down, keep working. Nobody at the club is getting carried away with nineteen matches still to go.
“But, I certainly believe we have the quality in our Cardiff squad to maintain the challenge as long as we stay focused and working for each other. The atmosphere within the squad and the staff is one of the healthiest I have been in. It’s a pleasure to work with everybody here. Winning games always helps, but that togetherness is credit to Malky Mackay.”