Matty Smith's role at Saints is to kick well and organise

Although there were plenty of doubters on terraces when Saints moved to replace Luke Walsh with the former Moss Bank Bulldog, Smith is happy to put his head down and earn his spurs with his hometown club again.

Smith’s task is to fill a sizeable void that has been lacking at number seven — particularly in the big knockout games and Good Friday encounters — since Sean Long departed.

Although never viewed as a flashy player, his brief is simple — organise the troops and kick smartly.

Smith said: “I have come to expect having to earn my spurs again and have been in the game quite a while now.

“No matter what you do in your career and what you win, you will always have doubters out there.

“You have just got to keep going with your head down and hopefully prove them wrong.

“That is what I have done throughout my career.

“I’m at that age where I have matured and whatever is said outside doesn’t matter as long as I get on that training pitch and work hard, and put that out on the playing field.

“Hopefully people will see that.”

When Saints allowed Walsh to shop around for a club after three years at Langtree Park, it was clear Keiron Cunningham wanted something different.

Smith is a steadier 7/10 every week player who has the two Grand Final rings and a Lance Todd trophy to show he has developed the big match temperament.

Smith knows his talents and maybe even his limitations, but he has squeezed everything out of it in the time he has spent away at Widnes Vikings, Salford, Celtic Crusaders and Wigan.

“When I left at 21 I was nowhere near the sort of player with experience that I am now.

“I have been brought in to be that voice and that is what Saints have probably missed, particularly in big games.

“I think the kicking game is also a massive part of it.

“You don’t see too many teams winning it now who can’t kick the ball.

“In big games that are going to be close you need to finish your sets off well,” he said.

Having surveyed the new-look Saints class of 2017 in training, Smith is relishing playing behind a monster pack and, if it stays fit, unleashing a classy backline.

Smith said: “It is exciting for me – I was at Wigan for four-and-a-half years but to come to my home town club is great.

“We have a lot of things in place — just look at the pack it’s the biggest I’ve played with in rugby league.

"And add to that a few exciting outside backs, they just need to have someone in the middle of the park getting the team around and kicking the ball well.

“We have a really good spine, if you add to that props that will really take us forward and exciting outside backs like Ryan Morgan and Mark Percival it is a strong line-up.

“I believe I can organise the team and kick the team around the pitch.

“That is my major role, with Jonny (Lomax) and Theo (Fages) playing off me hopefully they can score a few tries.”

He has already noted some similarities between the coaching style of Cunningham and former boss at Wigan Shaun Wane, but he is relishing carrying the orders out issued by his former Saints teammate.

“Kez similar to Waney in how the game should be played. Keiron is someone you respect - I have played with him a couple of times so to get the chance to be coached by him, Longy, Wello and Gardsy, who I also played alongside, is tremendous.

“Saints has changed a bit since I left. I loved playing at Knowsley Road but the facilities here now are great and Cowley training set up is immaculate. I am looking forward to getting going,” he said.