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WHILE the notion that young, talented footballers should cut their teeth in the Football League may be a cliché, Plymouth full-back Ashley SmithBrown would argue that some clichés are grounded in the truth.
The former Manchester City U23 cut ties with the Premier League giants in the summer after a series of loan spells took the 22-year-old from the Netherlands to Scotland to Oxford, with Smith-Brown now finally settling on the south coast.
It’s a decision that certainly wasn’t taken lightly but eight months later is one that has paid off, with Smith-Brown quickly establishing himself as a Home Park mainstay.
“There’s probably a bit more demand to win here, rather than at Man City” he said.
“Obviously, the results mean a bit more to people – we’re in a league – and in reserve football there’s not much to play for at times.
“I’d probably say it’s a bit more physical; you have to be strong in the tackle, that’s probably the biggest difference.
“I’ve probably changed my play through experience. It’s just the little things you have to cut out, like concentration; you have to be on it for the whole 90 minutes, and just probably communicate a bit more.”
Smith-Brown has been deployed on both sides of a back four by Derek Adams since his arrival, receiving plaudits for his consistent displays on the flanks.
The Argyle faithful, in particular, have taken in the youngster as one of their own despite his Mancunian upbringing.
“Even if we’re playing miles away, they still come out in their numbers,” he continued.
“They always know how to encourage and spur us on, so they’re a good bunch of fans.
“It’s a big part of me coming here – I knew what the fanbase and the support was like.”