We have a special set of players!

club captain. Skip is Skip, that’s his title, but I am more than happy to stand in as and when needed.”

Smith, who joined Town from Manchester City in 2011, originally as part of the development squad, says his approach is to play like a captain whether he has the armband or not.

“I do feel that responsibility now whether I am captain or not, because I have been here quite a while,” he explained.

“I think I’m one of the longest-serving players in the team, so I put that pressure on myself (to play like a leader).

“I’m one of the more vocal players in the team, along with Huddy, Dean Whitehead and Jonathan Hogg – the more senior lads if you like – so I do feel that responsibility.

“So it’s great to wear the captain’s armband but I do feel, with or without it, I’ve got a role to play.”

Smith believes there’s much more to come from Town in the second half of the season, which starts against Blackburn Rovers at the John Smith’s this lunchtime. “It’s great to be where we are and we still feel we have more to give,” he said. “There is still a long way to go and you have to approach it one game at a time, but it’s nice to be in and around where we are and to be picking up the wins that we have.” And is own form? “Personally I’ve pleased with how I’m performing but, again, I still think there is more to come from me,” he answered. “I’ve started to add more assists, which is good, and hopefully I can continue to push on.” The head coach certainly believes Smith can continue to progress. “He has improved as a player during my time here but there is still more space for him to develop,” said Wagner. Smith has missed only two league games, one through suspension and one in the rotation system.

It’s great to wear the armband but with or without it I do feel I have a role to play