Smith happy to be marked out as Town’s dangerman
Adam Smith is happy to be a marked man if it means FC Halifax Town keep up their winning ways. The Town winger admits his sparkling form on the right flank last season means he is often earmarked as one of the team’s danger-men by upcoming opponents.
Smith provided 14 assists in 42 league games last season, producing a string of outstanding performances at the Shay.
The 29-year-old admits his away form failed to reach the same lofty standards but is willing to sacrifice personal glory for team success.
He said: “Every game, home or away, I just want to play to the best of my ability.
“Sometimes I get doubled up on and that means I have a quiet game.
“But if that happens and we win that’s still a good weekend for me.
“I suppose I’m a marked man but I take it as a complement.
“I know a lot of players in this league and they say their managers’ team-talks often say to double-up on me and stop me getting on the ball.
“But if I get doubled-up on then that leaves space for other players.”
Smith says he and the club are aiming to improve on last season after losing to Cambridge in the play-off semifinals.
The winger is yet to complete a full game for the Shaymen this term after being substituted in each of his three starts and is targeting more game-time.
“I would like to have got more time on the pitch,” he said, “But as long as the team are winning that’s the most important thing.
“I’m my own biggest critic and I always think I can do better.
“Even though it was a successful season last year and we reached the play-offs it meant nothing in the end.
“It might sound a bit harsh to say that but we’re still in the same league so we need to go one further this time. “That goes for me as well.” The former Lincoln midfielder believes team spirit is at an all-time high at the Shay after their record opening to a campaign.
He said: “It’s been a fantastic start.
“Team morale is tip-top - the best it’s ever been and that’s showing on the pitch.
“The changing- room’s buzzing and it’s a great place to be at the moment.
“It’s a great achievement to win five games out of five but maybe we can make it six wins out of six.”
Smith says tomorrow’s opponents Bristol Rovers will be eager to make-up for their slow start of one win from five.
“Obviously they’ve come down from League Two but they’ll be looking to improve on their start.
“They’ve not got the start they’ll have expected but it’s not an easy league.
“We’ve got to be aware that we don’t want them to pick up against us.
“They can pick up after we play them!” Continued from back page
Aspin says his players deserve the praise for the achievement, but wants them to retain their focus.
He said: “If you do anything for the first time you are always pleased, it’s credit to the players.
“We just need to keep working hard and keep preparing properly for the games.
“The players have got to maintain their work-rate but that won’t guarantee the results.
“You can’t guarantee results, you can only guarantee the players will be ready and prepared.”
The Town boss isn’t concerned about any complacency among his squad after their 100 per cent start.
He said: “If you’re winning games that gives you confidence. But the players are never over-confident.
“They know it’s difficult to get results and they’re confident they can.
“We’re still new to the league but even when we were in the previous leagues we were never over-confident.”
The Town boss is happy with his side’s defensive displays but is categorical about what has pleased him most about the start to the season.
“The fact that we’ve scored so many goals,” he said.
“It’s a concern when you lose your top scorer and you wonder where you will get the goals from.
“We’ve also had three clean sheets which is good as well.
“I’m pleased with the efforts of the team all over the park.” The Shay will host England C’s international clash against Estonia on Tuesday, November 18.
The England C team is made up of the best young talent from non-league football and recently featured Town players Matt Pearson and Marc Roberts when they toured Eastern Europe this summer.
The Estonia game is the team’s latest Challenge Trophy Group A fixture and will kick-off at 7.30pm with free admission. Town youngster Dominic Marie has joined Northern Premier First Division North side New Mills AFC on a month’s loan.