County’s survival mission

IT MAY or may not be Korey Smith’s swan song when Notts County roll up at Boundary Park on Saturday, but the captain is adamant Athletic is a progressive club on and off the pitch.

The curtain comes down on the 2013-14 season when the Magpies — roared on by an anticipated 3,500 fans — try to inflict a first defeat in 10 fixtures on their hosts. A draw will be enough for them to stay safe in the division.

Smith could be going higher next term: Wolves manager Kenny Jackett was among the observers at the Sheffield United game on Tuesday, and there will be no shortage of potential buyers.

But Smith remains stoic: “I am contracted here and am really enjoying my time here,” he said.

“I have another year on my contract so it is not something I think about. I just concentrate on every game and the club is really moving forward at the moment.

“We have the new stand, the fans are really getting behind us and we have a solid base as a team now.”

Smith says he is revelling in his current role as a holding midfielder and feels the team is at last reaching a peak.

“There have been low periods but it takes time for players to gel and we had a lot of new faces,” Smith added. “To be fair, we had a lot of good games earlier in the season. When you grow as a team and start gaining structure though, even when you are not playing well, you pick up positive results.”

Results have also arrived at the right time for Notts County boss Shaun Derry. Seemingly dead and buried at one stage, the team has won six of its last eight matches.