Sheffield Wednesday came from behind to beat bottom club Portsmouth on Friday night, on what was a memorable night for Owls striker Michael Smith.
After the game, Michael Smith told Sky Sports cameras that he scored what might have been the best goal of his career as Sheffield Wednesday claimed a much needed 2-1 win in the Championship.
Coming from a goal behind after the break, Smith rose high to head the ball to Josh Windass who poked home the equalising goal.
33-year-old Smith then scored a rocket from range, curling the ball into the top right corner to send the Fratton Park away end up into the air.
Smith was named Man of the Match too, joking after full-time that he was too ‘shattered’ to take a touch, instead firing towards goal.
It’s not been an easy 2024 for Smith who’s out of contract at Hillsborough next summer and who had transfer interest during the summer transfer window.
- READ MORE: What Josh Windass told Michael Smith after Portsmouth will have Sheffield Wednesday fans in stitches
Dom Howson hails Michael Smith impact for Sheffield Wednesday
Smith has had his critics at Sheffield Wednesday in the past, even during the game against Portsmouth after his touch pushed the ball towards Pompey scorer Connor Ogilvie for the first goal of the night.
But nobody can deny Smith’s goal record. He often pops up with important goals, showing his worth in the second half of last season where he came into the fold under Danny Rohl.
Smith eventually scored four goals in 31 Championship outings last season, with many of those appearances coming off the bench, having previously been Wednesday’s top scorer during their 2022/23 promotion campaign with 18 goals in League One.
And after the Portsmouth game, journalist Dom Howson gave his verdict on Smith, who was wanted by Wrexham during the summer transfer window.
Rohl never ruled out a Sheffield Wednesday exit for Smith, and he may now be happy that the big striker stayed given his contributions this season.
Smith now has two goals and two assists in 11 Championship appearances this season, also having two assists in the Carabao Cup.
- READ MORE: Forget Michael Smith, Sky Sports pundit lauds ‘special’ Sheffield Wednesday man who has ‘X-Factor’
Danny Rohl eyeing early contracts at Sheffield Wednesday
Last season saw the Owls have multiple first-team players out of contract in the summer and Rohl is keen to avoid a future repeat.
Speaking earlier this season, Rohl discussed Sheffield Wednesday contracts and revealed that talks are underway with certain players already.
He said: “I had yesterday a talk with Kevin [Beadell], now we will speak with the chairman about this.
“Which players we want to extend, which players we can extend, which player wants to extend, and then of course you will have some players, maybe where you speak in detail in January, not now, to see how’s the process.”
So far, it’s been reported that Sheffield Wednesday want new contracts for Akin Famewo and Pol Valentin who are both out of a deal in 2025.
With Smith also out of contract next summer, and impressing of late, he could be someone that comes into the discussion for a new deal.
His age could play a factor, however, with Smith set to be 34 shortly after the start of next season. And he himself might also want to move to a club where regular game time is more of a guarantee.