ALAN Smith is adamant Newcastle United must get back into the Premier League this season or risk falling into terminal decline like Leeds United.
Smith was part of the Leeds side which crashed out of the Premier League five years ago and is still saddened by the plight of his former club as they struggle to get out of League One after a second relegation in 2007.
Leeds lost in the play-offs in the Championship before the financial situation at Elland Road spiralled out of control and the team was ripped apart to cover costs.
It is a nightmare scenario Smith fears could still manifest itself at Newcastle if they do not maintain their good start to the season, starting at Sheffield United on Monday night.
He said: “It’s vital we get back up at the first attempt. You look at what’s happened to my old club Leeds United to see the damage that is done if you stay down for a few seasons. Hopefully they are on their way back.
“Sheffield United are similar, a huge club outside the Premier League. Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich, Nottingham Forest are all the same.
“It’s massively important to get back up as soon as possible. If we don’t get promoted you always have the risk of players seeing a future elsewhere. If we don’t get promoted this season we will have failed.”
Smith has been in outstanding form for the Magpies this season, despite a poor disciplinary record which has seen him sent off once and banned for another game after picking up five yellow cards in just 12 league appearances. But his combative qualities in the centre of midfield have made him a popular target for abuse from the stands, particularly when he sets foot in his native Yorkshire where – he claims – he has become a pariah.
As a former Leeds player, Smith is an obvious target for other Yorkshire clubs but his controversial move to Manchester United following Leeds’ relegation in 2004 ensures he is guaranteed a hostile reception there as well.
“I’ve been to Bramall Lane a number of times,” he said. “As a Leeds fan it has good memories for me, it’s where we won the title in ’92.
“I wasn’t there but I remember it well. It’s a fond memory, Gordon Strachan sitting on the advertising hoardings.
“I’m sure as an ex-Leeds player I’ll get a good reception at Bramall Lane. I think all of the teams down there still see me as a Leeds boy.
“I went to Huddersfield and they game me a nice welcome. Trouble is I get similar grief when I go back to Leeds now so there’s nowhere in Yorkshire that seems to like me.”
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