Cherries swoop for Allsop

Cardiff forward Tommy Smith says promotion to the Premier League is theirs to lose after opening a 10-point gap at the top of the Championship.

The 32-year-old scored the Bluesbirds' winner as they overcame Blackpool 2-1 at Bloomfield Road on Saturday, allowing them to stretch their substantial lead.

After letting promotion escape them in recent seasons Smith is determined Cardiff can get the job done this term.

He told Wales Online: "It is ours to lose from here on in. We've worked our socks off to get to this point.

"There are a lot of good teams, but the consistency we have had so far has got us to this point and we are going to work as hard as we can to try and keep the 10 points barrier.

"The gaffer and staff won't let us get complacent. They are at us every day about doing things professionally.

"Nobody will take their foot off the gas. Everyone is desperate to play at the highest level, a lot haven't had that chance.

"It's driving us on so much that I can't see any complacency setting in."

Smith, who helped QPR to promotion in 2011, added: "The year we went up QPR were never 10 points clear, we had a five or six point gap at some points, but never 10. It's nice to have, but it's a lot of pressure too. Teams are going to give that bit extra to beat the team at the top of the table.

"Everyone has labelled Cardiff a 'nearly-team' over the last few years and it's tough. A lot of fans expect us to do well up to a point and then slip up, but we are trying hard for that not to happen this time."

The 20-year-old, who has penned a three-and-a-half year deal at the Goldsands Stadium, made 24 appearances for Leyton Orient this season before his contract expired earlier this week.

"He is a young goalkeeper with a lot of potential to get better," Cherries boss Eddie Howe told the club's official website. "He is a good size and a good kicker of the ball - he has all the attributes to be a really top goalkeeper.

"He is certainly going to be a valuable addition for the future."

Allsop started his career at West Brom, gaining five caps for England Under-17s, before joining Millwall in 2011.

The stopper also played for Icelandic side M~rsttafilagip Hvttur before joining up with Leyton Orient in July.

"He's coming here to compete for the number one shirt - he's not coming here to make up the numbers. It's up to me to pick who I think is the best but he's going to have a lot of competition for places."