AFC Bridgnorth defender, Josh Smith, previews their trip to Shifnal Town on Tuesday.
28 September 2020
@chaguejones
AFC Bridgnorth are on the road for the first time in the league this season with a trip to Shifnal Town at Coppice Green Ln.
The Meadowmen will be looking to secure their first win of the season after having to come from behind to rescue a point in their league opener at home to Worcester Raiders just two days ago.
Smith, who was an unused sub against Raiders, is eager to regain his position in the starting line-up for the Shifnal fixture but insists that competition in the squad keeps the players motivated.
On Tuesday’s opponents:
“I think the previous game away at their place was a reality check for our side and especially the defensive aspects of it. We had to improve that area and I think now we have additional competition for our places, it’s come along way.
“They’re a good side, we know that, but that doesn’t mean we won’t do our best to show what we are capable of in the game on Tuesday. That exactly is what we didn’t do first time round so there will be no room to repeat our mistakes.
On the FA Cup loss to Shifnal:
The game was huge, the occasion was even bigger. I think the nerves of playing a derby game in another round of the FA Cup certainly got to some of the boys- which is understandable. Our heads dropped when they scored their first goal and we can’t let that happen again. We must go there on Tuesday and prove ourselves because I believe were more than capable of putting on a show.”
On fighting for his position in the starting XI:
“You have to fight for your position in football. I speak for all players when I say that we all want 90 every week but to have to fight for your place in the starting XI brings out the best in everyone. The squad is full of class from back to front and you have to remember we are a newly formed group, Rome wasn’t built in a day so it will take time to achieve what the gaffer wants.
I think throughout the squad, we’ve come a long way in such a short space of time, so it’s only a matter of time before we start to give the big boys of the league a bit of a scare.”