Matt Smith was well-liked by Leeds United fans during his time in Yorkshire. An old-fashioned no.9, a proper powerhouse before his exit in 2014 – and now, he is in the form of his life at Salford City.
Smith, 34, only spent a year at Leeds but he clocked up 48 appearances for the club in all competitions. He scored 14 goals and laid on seven assists , as well as a straight red against Sheffield Wednesday.
If you’re going to get a red, why not against a bitter rival? He left in the summer of 2014 – the reason for the infamous ‘Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet’ Tweet. Leeds said there was more to be done on deadline day.
Moments after that Tweet, Leeds confirmed the sale of Smith to Fulham. He has since played for Bristol City, QPR and Millwall before joining Salford City in January 2022 – since playing 89 times for Salford.
In that time, Smith has scored 33 goals – a solid record, but it his form this season that has really caught the eye. The target man has amassed a quite incredible 14 goals already, one of which was against us.
Matt Smith in form of his life after Leeds United exit in 2014
He scored in the Carabao Cup against Leeds to put Salford 1-0 up, only for Pascal Struijk to equalise. But, Salford won on penalties. Not only does Smith have 14 goals in 21 games, but also, two assists.
The target man is hardly doing it in one of the League’s best sides, either. Salford are struggling down in 15th place in League Two, failing to garner any consistency – but that makes Smith’s form even better.
If Salford are to turn their season around, the veteran striker will have to keep scoring the goals as he is doing. Certainly, Smith is in the form of his life – and Leeds fans will be delighted to see him sparkling.
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