But Sam Allardyce wants the England international to rise above it.
Like Craig Bellamy, Smith says 50% of his game is about aggression, and take it away and you don't get the same player.
But Big Sam argues, what is the point of having a player sat in the Stands because he has picked up too many yellow cards.
Allardyce Won't Stand For 'Attitude' From His Players!
It took Smith just 10 appearances in Newcastle colours to collect the five bookings that have prompted an automatic one-match ban.
Allardyce: "He played well (against Everton) but the sad thing is that he failed to stay on his feet and he got another booking, although I thought his treatment was harsh.
Allardyce: "He played well (against Everton) but the sad thing is that he failed to stay on his feet and he got another booking, although I thought his treatment was harsh.
"As a result Alan has got this suspension coming up.
"It's part of his game and you can't take the devilment out of him or you lose some of the player. But there's something about staying on your feet rather than lunging in because, these days, it doesn't matter whether it's a good tackle or a bad one.
"It's in the rules that you can tackle like that, but referees have it in their minds that you can't. It doesn't come from them, the referees, it comes from their bosses.
"It's in the rules that you can tackle like that, but referees have it in their minds that you can't. It doesn't come from them, the referees, it comes from their bosses.
"The people higher up are telling the referees to stamp it out and it has become a problem. Allowing the game's physical side is a real problem these days.
"If Alan can just curb it a bit it would help because the next time a suspension comes around (if and when he reaches 10 bookings), it (the subsequent suspension) will be two games.
"Three suspensions would equal six games (missed in total this season) and that's the reason that I need him to demonstrate a little bit more self-control."