First question is inevitably on Todd Cantwell. Smith says the past few weeks has been about building up his fitness and he is available for Sunday. Speculation is firmly for Stuart Webber. Smith has 'no idea' if there have been any approach for his services.
DS: 'I have had a chat with Stuart more generally about this window and what the options are. But if we get our best players back in Jan from injury that might not be the worst window for us.'
'We are not close to doing anything. We are just having a look at this stage what is out there.'
DS: “It’s looking a lot healthier. Rashica will train today. Hanley has done some training. Krul is back. Pukki is back. Aarons and Cantwell are back.”
'I've gone away and reflected on the last few performances. Two words come to mind, context and perspective'. Smith feels in a more upbeat mood today, understandably so given the return of several key players to his squad. Mathias Normann will take a bit longer.
Smith admits
#NCFC's team will be very 'mixed'. A lot of players coming back as well as West Ham and Everton on the horizon. But Smith plans to take the competition seriously. I like the FA Cup. It’s one of only three opportunities to win something in the season. Why not go all out to try and achieve something?”
Smith has spoken throughout this presser about finding a 'balance' because they have players who need minutes ahead of games against West Ham and Everton.
Funny line from
#ncfc DS on injury and illness backlog now easing. 'We have can have 8v8 on the training ground now instead of 3v3.'
DS confirms he has spoken to Gilmour on the
#cpfc negativity. 'He wants to prove people wrong, he wants to prove what a good player he is. For us.'
They don't lose games through a lack of will, they have been beaten by better teams. They are an honest group.' Smith has spoken to Gilmour. There is a desire from his perspective to prove people wrong. 'Has he been at the top of his game, no. But neither have
#NCFC.'
Dean Smith compares Adam Idah's situation to the one he had with Keinan Davis at
#AVFC. Many feel a loan move would benefit him at this stage. Smith admits it's a tough balancing act. But, they have seen improvement on the training pitch from him.
#NCFC DS: “Andrew had a scan and there’s some improvement but it’s a slow burner. “Rupp is still out with a hamstring injury. “We don’t have a return to training date set for Normann yet, but he’s on the treadmill without the pain he had before.”
On Bali Mumba to
#PUFC... Smith says he has plenty of potential but with Sam Byram returning and Max Aarons' quality, his game time is limited. They don't want to stall his growth. He feels this is an excellent loan move for him at this point in his career.
'I think we've played games that we shouldn't have. We were asked to play games with 10 players out, eight of those starters.
Smith admits it's been 'frustrating' that Todd Cantwell hasn't put his best foot forward yet. But that is felt by Cantwell, who he praises, but he believes his confidence has been eroded as well. It's a case of building up his fitness and confidence in the next few weeks.
DS on Gilmour fan reaction at
#cpfc. 'I was disappointed with what I heard. I didn't hear it myself at the game but I had family members there. It was a minority. I must stress that. But everyone at the club know the value of Billy Gilmour.
