Smith aims to raise Ell
MATT PLOTS LEEDS REVIVAL
LEEDS striker Matt Smith insists it is not all doom and gloom at Elland Road – despite the negativity surrounding the club.
The Championship side have found themselves in the headlines for the wrong reasons this summer with new owner Massimo Cellino clearing the decks in a massive cost-cutting exercise.
Players and staff have left Elland Road, while the kitchen at the club’s training ground has been closed meaning the players have been forced to bring in their own packed lunches.
Leeds have also seen club captain and last year’s top scorer Ross McCormack leave for Fulham, while the relatively unknown Dave Hockaday has replaced boss Brian McDermott.
Positive
Despite the upheavals at the club, Smith believes the players are remaining positive and are keen to repay the fans.
He said: “Everyone in the camp is positive, obviously there has been a big change in the ownership and a lot of people have left, but we have got a really great team spirit and we’re all focused on a successful season.
“It has been well publicised that the club is undergoing costcutting and is looking at different ways to save money, but it has not really affected the lads. We are all united, keeping our heads down and concentrating on the new season.
“People look to draw on every negative and not look at the positives, but Leeds is a club with immense expectations and we want to do our best for the club.
“No matter what has happened, the fans have always stuck by the club – and they are so passionate.
“They have taken all the negativity on the chin and their support gives us huge motivation.”
Cellino has come under fire from some fans for how he is running the club, but Smith believes the Italian is determined to make Leeds a big success.
He added: “I have met the owner a number of times and he is a passionate and colourful person.
“He is hands- on, very experienced and did a brilliant job at Cagliari in Italy, who were a small club over there. He wants the best for Leeds and is doing his utmost to try and achieve that.”
Smith, 25, also feels new head coach Hockaday has been unfairly treated after his arrival at the club was greeted with scepticism – with his only sole managerial job having been at non-league Forest Green.
Smith said: “I think the criticism of the manager was harsh. His appointment was maybe a little bit left- field, but he has an excellent pedigree as a coach and has a lot of experience.
“Training has been very good. It has been tough with lots of sessions and we are doing all that is necessary to get fit for the start of the new season. “The boss is meticulous in his preparation and the lads have bought into it and it looks like we will be playing a different way from last season and, hopefully, that can bring us success.”
Pressure
Smith, who scored 13 goals last season in his debut campaign after arriving from Oldham, could find extra responsibility placed on his shoulders following the exit of McCormack.
He said: “It is hard to replace a 30-goal striker. If that puts extra pressure on me to score more goals then that is fine.”