SMITH’S HAPPY TO FILL IN AT TANGLED NOTTS
ALAN Smith expects yesterday’s clash with Morecambe to be his only game in charge of Notts County after taking over as caretaker-manager following John Sheridan’s sacking.
The former Leeds and Manchester United star, 36, has been working as a player-coach since arriving at Meadow Lane in 2014, and took temporary charge of the team following Sheridan’s dismissal.
Gary McAllister is the bookies’ favourite to succeed Sheridan due to his close relationship to new owner Alan Hardy, even though he has not been in management since 2008.
However, David Flitcroft and Justin Edinburgh are understood to be the leading contenders for the job, with Mark Robins an outside bet.
Lincoln’s Danny Cowley is believed to have been approached for the role but rebuffed the Magpies’ advances to stick with the National League Imps.
In the meantime, Smith spoke to Sheridan after taking the caretaker role and admits he found himself in a difficult position trying to balance his responsibilities.
He said: “It’s quite difficult because there’s so much you want to try and implement. But I’ve got to remember I’m still a player – the dressing room is still where I belong.
“I don’t want to isolate myself from the lads who I play with week in, week out. I just want to instil some belief that they are actually good players.
“When things are going wrong sometimes people try that little bit too hard. It’s a fine line.
“We were asked to take over, but I spoke to John first out of respect for him. He said to me ‘just be yourself, and hopefully they will respond for you’.
“You never take over these positions when things are going well. It’s tinged with disappointment because John was somebody I respected a lot.”