Tuesday 30 October 2012 14:51, UK
Oldham manager Paul Dickov does not want to do Matt Smith the disservice of labelling him a super-sub.
Only two of Smith's 12 appearances for the Latics this season have come from the start of games and the big targetman's presence at the end of matches have helped to snatch vital results, such as when he scored a stoppage-time equaliser at Sheffield United this month. The 23-year-old, who spent time on loan with Macclesfield last season, has started four league games compared to 34 outings as a substitute for Oldham but Dickov prefers to focus on his continued development as a player. "That's a horrible thing to get called, especially as a striker - I know that myself," said the former Manchester City, Leicester and Blackburn forward of the super-sub tag. "But big Matt's done well. He's had a big impact coming off the bench. "When he's up there he causes teams a different problem and it creates space for others as well. Matt's always in our thoughts because he's improving all the time."
