Matt looks back on "crazy" spell
As Matt Smith stood holding the FA Cup today at Boundary Park, he admitted life has been "crazy" since his goals helped Latics defeat Premier League giants Liverpool in the last round of the FA Cup.
The 23-year-old striker, until recently a peripheral player at Boundary Park, suddenly found himself in the public gaze.
Smith said: "It has been crazy with interviews for the national press and appearing live on television.
"All of a sudden people have taken an interest in me and offering me things such as a boot deal.
"Who would have thought at the start of the season I would have been here holding the FA Cup?
"It has been incredible and nice to have recognition as it shows I am doing something right."
Smith, who only recently established a regular first-team place, added: "All the attention I have received has been overwhelming.
"It is important to remain level headed because it is only one game, though it was the highlight of my career and one I will never forget.
"It has been an incredible time, first to get a run of games in the side and also being named player of the month which meant a lot to me.
"The Liverpool game topped off a period I will remember for ever and it has given me a massive boost of confidence.
"It was a great game to put in a good performance live on television."
Smith says he feel especially pleased for his parents Ian and Francois.
He continued: "They travel all over the country to watch me play and are at games on cold Tuesday nights.
"They are extremely proud and have some great pictures of the cup games. They have loved reading the newspaper reports and have had people contact them from all over the world."
Smith added the FA Cup run, which has taken Latics past Kidderminster, Doncaster, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, has been an incredible journey.
He said: "I think the victory against Liverpool overshadowed winning at Nottingham Forest which was amazing as they are a very good Championship side.
"To score a total of six against Forest and Liverpool shows what we are capable of scoring goals against top teams.
"It makes it harder to put your finger on why we haven't been doing it in the league after such great cup performances.
"League One is our bread and butter and we need to step up our performances and achieve a greater level of consistency.
"Hopefully the win against MK Dons will give us a massive lift as it stopped a bad run of results in the league."
The 23-year-old striker, until recently a peripheral player at Boundary Park, suddenly found himself in the public gaze.
Smith said: "It has been crazy with interviews for the national press and appearing live on television.
"All of a sudden people have taken an interest in me and offering me things such as a boot deal.
"Who would have thought at the start of the season I would have been here holding the FA Cup?
"It has been incredible and nice to have recognition as it shows I am doing something right."
Smith, who only recently established a regular first-team place, added: "All the attention I have received has been overwhelming.
"It is important to remain level headed because it is only one game, though it was the highlight of my career and one I will never forget.
"It has been an incredible time, first to get a run of games in the side and also being named player of the month which meant a lot to me.
"The Liverpool game topped off a period I will remember for ever and it has given me a massive boost of confidence.
"It was a great game to put in a good performance live on television."
Smith says he feel especially pleased for his parents Ian and Francois.
He continued: "They travel all over the country to watch me play and are at games on cold Tuesday nights.
"They are extremely proud and have some great pictures of the cup games. They have loved reading the newspaper reports and have had people contact them from all over the world."
Smith added the FA Cup run, which has taken Latics past Kidderminster, Doncaster, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, has been an incredible journey.
He said: "I think the victory against Liverpool overshadowed winning at Nottingham Forest which was amazing as they are a very good Championship side.
"To score a total of six against Forest and Liverpool shows what we are capable of scoring goals against top teams.
"It makes it harder to put your finger on why we haven't been doing it in the league after such great cup performances.
"League One is our bread and butter and we need to step up our performances and achieve a greater level of consistency.
"Hopefully the win against MK Dons will give us a massive lift as it stopped a bad run of results in the league."