Jeff Smith facing battle to oust in-form Simon Hackney, warns boss Ward
Last updated 12:49, Wednesday, 01 October 2008
Jeff Smith has been warned he faces a long road back into the Carlisle United team despite his starring role for the reserves this week.
Left-winger Smith fired two goals and impressed with a strong all-round display in Monday’s 5-2 win over Blackpool’s second string.
It was a timely reminder of his attributes after the former Port Vale man failed to make the subs bench for United’s opening eight league games.
But manager John Ward said he remains firmly behind Simon Hackney in the pecking order at Brunton Park.
“Jeff was better on Monday night, but they all were,” said Ward of the 28-year-old, who joined for £60,000 in January last year.
“Jeff is competing with young Simon, and we have been rightly enthusing about Simon’s performances lately.
“The young man has been in excellent form and that makes it difficult for Jeff. That’s how I see his situation at the moment.”
Ward left the likes of Michael Bridges and Cleveland Taylor out of Monday’s second-string game but would not be drawn on whether that was a clue to his starting eleven for Tranmere’s visit.
However, the United manager said he was impressed with the efforts of several youth team players who started on Monday night as he rested some senior pros.
“It is good to let the younger boys get some football at that level. Tom Aldred, Andy Cook, Jonny Blake and Connor Tinnion came in and did well, and it’s important to give them that chance.”
Highly-rated striker Gary Madine, 18, has not made the bench for recent first-team games but coach Eric Kinder said his goal and all-round performance on Monday night will make it hard for Ward to ignore him.
“Gary’s the most impatient person I’ve ever met although he has to appreciate he can’t have everything today,” said Kinder.
“But if he keeps playing like he did on Monday, he gives the manager a massive problem because he was terrific.”
