ɐ sˈɪɹiz ʌv səspˈɛnʃənz fɔːɹ kˈiː dᵻfˈɛnsɪv plˈeɪɚz sˈɔː smˈɪθ dɹˈæftᵻd bˈæk ˌɪntʊ ðə sˈaɪd fɚɹən ɪmpˈoːɹtənt ɹˌɛlᵻɡˈeɪʃən bˈæɾəl æt ɹˈɑːðɚɹˌæm juːnˈaɪɾᵻd, ɐɡˈɛn ɔnðə ɹˈaɪt sˈaɪd ænd wɛn swˈɪndən wˈʌn wˈʌn zˈiəɹoʊ, smˈɪθ kˈɛpt ðɪs pəzˈɪʃən ʌntˈɪl ðɪ ˈɛnd ʌvðə jˈɪɹ, ʌntˈɪl ɐnˈʌðɚɹ ˈɪndʒɚɹi lˈɛd tə hˌɪm hˈɑːblɪŋ ˈɔf ðə fˈiːld ɪnðə nˈuː jˈɪɹz ˈiːv klˈæʃ wɪð swˈɑːnsiː sˈɪɾi.
A series of suspensions for key defensive players saw Smith drafted back into the side for an important relegation battle at Rotherham United, again on the right side – and when Swindon won 1–0, Smith kept this position until the end of the year, until another injury led to him hobbling off the field in the New Year's Eve clash with Swansea City.