Dean Smith has joined us. Ramsey is out for
#NCFC’s Boxing Day clash with a knee injury. Cantwell will miss it with a groin issue. Couple of others, unnamed, are doubts for the game.
Aaron Ramsey does sound slightly concerning. ‘We will speak to
#AVFC. He does need to see a specialist.’
#NCFC will train today, tomorrow and on Christmas Day. They will travel to Luton on Boxing Day morning. Smith reiterates how important it is for players to spend time with their family.
Smith reflects on the Blackburn game. Says he has had to process what happened. He’s ‘proud’ to be
#NCFC head coach. ‘It was never my intention to drive a wedge between me and the fans. I understand I don’t have the credit in the bank that some of the players do’.
‘I’m not a punchbag and I felt I had a right to defend my players. There wasn’t any malice in my post-match comments. I still believe we can get to the Premier League’.
‘I’ve got no regrets or apologies to make about my comments. But I don’t want to drive a wedge between supporters. I understand the fans frustrations. There was emotion there and I try to be honest in every question the media ask me.’
Smith adds that he ‘understands the frustrations of supporters’ and wants to see better football and results. I can’t change what happened. But we need to get three points at Luton for them. They have been unbelievable on the road for us this season. They have dragged us over the line. Over the last month or six weeks, something has broken down and we need to rebuild that.
This is really interesting. Smith now speaking about how he knew he wasn’t going to please everyone. ‘There will be some people that I won’t be able to turn around. I understand that. I’ve always been driven to prove people wrong’. Smith has spoken with the
#NCFC leadership group this week and says they are all still on side.
With that - we’re done. Interesting stuff. Thought Smith was honest in his answers and has clearly done a lot of reflecting during the past week. Ultimately, it will be the football that sets the tempo.
#NCFC need a performance and a result on Boxing Day.
