MILLER MICHAEL: I’M MUCH BETTER THIS TIME
ROTHERHAM striker Michael Smith believes he has upped his game since the Millers were last in the Championship.
Smith was part of the Rotherham side relegated back to League One after one season in the second tier in 2019.
He scored eight goals in 45 appearances during that campaign, but has already matched that figure this time around after 30 matches.
And the 29-year-old is taking the stat as an indicator that he has improved as a player.
“I’m on the same number of goals now as I finished up with in the Championship last time, so I feel like my all-round game has improved,” he said.
“At this level, I only have the last time we were in the Championship to use as a yardstick, so I think I’m playing better than I was then.
“I’m still loving my football at Rotherham and we’ve got a great group of lads here, so it’s really enjoyable to go into work every day.”
Smith remains some way adrift of the division’s top scorers, with Brentford’s Ivan Toney blazing a trail at the summit.
“You see little things like that, but it’s only normally the top five and top six who see their names on the goalscorers list,” he admitted.
“I’m not in there at the moment, so I’m not too interested where I am among the rest.”
Smith also believes his friendship with midfielder Matt Crooks has contributed to a stronger on-field relationship.
“I think there is some understanding there because of our friendship,” he said. “Before Covid, we used to do a lot of offthe-field stuff together.
“It’s a really good relationship to be a part of, but I think that is the case with whoever starts at the top end of the pitch.”