Defender reflects on his first Meadow Lane appearance...
It was certainly an interesting home debut for defender Manny Smith on Sunday, as the team kept a clean sheet but did not get to play the second half.
The former Walsall man was part of the County rearguard that limited AEK Athens to very few chances in the 45-minute encounter at Meadow Lane.
A waterlogged pitch saw the match called off at half time, with the Magpies 1-0 up, courtesy of Alan Judge’s 17th minute strike.
Smith was still able to take plenty of positives from the performance and is looking forward to getting the competitive campaign underway, following a Tuesday night clash with Nottingham Forest.
“It was a bit up and down wasn’t it? I’ve never experienced that before, getting called off at half time, in a pre-season game anyway,” he told Magpie Player.
“But I think the lads were getting a feel for it, with the 4-3-3 formation and passing it.
“The boys enjoy playing it and we showed in the first half that we enjoy passing it but then unfortunately it gets called off.
“Athens a good side and I read up about them before we played them so we knew we were in for a game.
“But it was all about us on Sunday, we just had to get passing and moving and I think the lads were enjoying it.
“Whatever team we play it’s the same formation so the boys know what to do with and without the ball.
“That’s been expressed throughout the whole squad and no matter who the gaffer’s picked they’ve been good.”
He added: “I can’t wait to get started for the first game of the season now, the lads are feeling fit and everyone wants to get selected for the first game.
“We feel like we’ve got a good momentum going and hopefully we can keep that up against Forest before next Saturday.”
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