Yes it is certainly a quirk of the stats with us always winning when Smith doesn't play.
I feel a bit sorry for him in that he is just thrown on whenever we are losing. Any club he goes to he'll be used the same way.
The problem with Smith is that even when he has a good run (like recently scoring 4 goals) we were still losing. When he plays we are not great to watch and when he is thrown on towards the end of the games that is just frustrating to see us going Route 1 every time.
A strange player to have really. Personally I'd like to see him moved on.
As often, I agree with your comments northwesthoop! Can you imagine the difference Matt Smith would make with some of the more basic, but struggling, sides - such as Reading or Rotherham?
Given what I agree is our safety now and the knowledge that few of the 'stars' now playing will be here next season, you would normally expect the manager to begin introducing players from the EDS; but sadly most of those with Championship potential are elsewhere (Oteh, Wheeler, Chair, etc), so valuable experience when results matter less will be lost.