Tall order for Smith

MATT Smith: determined to force his way back into the Athletic starting line-up.

ALL three of Athletic’s fit first-team strikers are arguably in the form of their careers at present.

While Shefki Kuqi continues to rattle home the goals, though, ably assisted by Robbie Simpson roaming behind him, the fall guy at present is Matt Smith.

The 22-year-old started the season with three successive starts, but he has since been on the substitutes’ bench for every one of Athletic’s subsequent 18 fixtures.

Former non-league starlet Smith admits he would like more game-time in this, his first season in professional sport.

He may get the chance once on-loan Simpson heads back to Huddersfield on December 11. Athletic manager Paul Dickov has, though, confirmed he will be trying to sign the player in the January transfer window.

In the team or not, Smith still feels he is making rapid progress.

“Obviously, it is a little frustrating,” admitted the former Cheltenham Town trainee and university graduate, who has two goals to his name this term.

“I would like to be playing, but then again you have got Shefki and Robbie who are both doing really well at the moment.

“Shefki is scoring goals for fun, while Robbie is playing as a true number 10 in holding up play and supplying telling passes.

“It will be hard to get back in, but I am just continuing to work as hard as I can.

“The difference between my game now and when I was playing part-time is night-and-day. I always thought that would be the case.”

Chesterfield manager John Sheridan is plotting to put one over his former club tomorrow but for Smith, Athletic’s form promises an imminent progression up the npower League One table.

“We have enjoyed two good victories in cup competitions (against Crewe and Burton) and it is important that we build on those,” he added.

“I believe we are starting to become stronger and more confident as a team compared to earlier in the season.”

Athletic have no new injury worries, while Reuben Reid (thigh) is set to start running again in a week to 10 days.