This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Following the announcement that veteran defender Tommy Smith has decided to retire from football, some Middlesbrough fans are concerned that another long-term absentee may have played his final game for the club.
Smith had been out of action since October 2023 due to a recurrent Achilles injury.
Darragh Lenihan, a fellow defender, has been sidelined since September 2023, as well.
Lenihan’s absence was also due to an Achilles injury, which he underwent surgery for in November 2023.
Lenihan, like Smith, arrived on Teesside in the summer of 2022 as a free agent.
And Football League World’s resident Middlesbrough fan commentator believes there are more parallels between the defensive two.
Jasper Hudson, a FLW Boro fan, acknowledged that he did not see Lenihan playing for the club again.
FLW Middlesbrough fan analyst Jasper stated, “It’s difficult to see Lenihan taking a different career path than Tommy Smith at this point.”
“It’s a long-term ailment; it started with six months, then a season, and now it’ll be another season.
“He’s clearly not as old as Tommy Smith. He’s 30 years old, so hopefully he has a little longer in him.
“But I believe it will be two seasons before he can return and contend for a spot.
“I don’t think he’ll be at the same level he was. I believe he’s just missed too much football.”
Lenihan will have to drop down in order to continue career
While right-back Smith’s contract expires at the end of the season, Lenihan still has a year left on his present deal at the Riverside.
Despite being tied to Boro until the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, Jasper believes that if Lenihan returns to football, it will have to be with another team.
Jasper went further: “At that age, if he wants to keep playing, I can see him having to drop down to League One, or potentially a lower Championship club.”
“I just don’t think he’ll have the fitness or sharpness, and it’ll take some time to regain that.
“I believe we must accept that there will most likely be another Tommy Smith incident with Lenihan.
“I don’t think if he returns to football it will be with Middlesbrough – I think he’ll need a new challenge, and I don’t see it working at Middlesbrough after two seasons out.”
Experience and leadership missing at the back for Middlesbrough
Jasper went on to explain how Smith and Lenihan’s absence had been felt in the back, stating that Middlesbrough had missed their expertise and leadership.
Aside from former Leeds United vice-captain Luke Ayling, Michael Carrick’s backline does not have any players above the age of 30.
“It’s frustrating to lose two very decent players for us, who are experienced and helped with leadership qualities,” resumed Jasper.
“Perhaps it is what we have lacked. They have not been able to add depth to a backfield that has struggled at times this season.”
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