Rob Smith: Off-field worries don't hurt us
AFC Telford United boss Rob Smith insists the club's off-field difficulties have had no impact on him and the players.
Last week managing director Lee Carter dropped a bombshell at a Bucks fans' forum when he sounded a warning that there might not be a club in 12 months' time.
Carter is seeking a mandate from the 250 trust members to put different football club ownership models to fans in a bid to attract greater investment.
The club currently brings in £5,000 less per home game than last season and are bottom of the Conference North with just five points and four goals.
But with nine signings since his appointment, Smith insists off-field problems aren't having an effect on management or players.
"None whatsoever," he said when asked. "We've been purely focused on getting the right results because we've got enough issues of our own.
"But if we can start winning some games, it will only help things off the pitch anyway because the crowds will start coming back."
Meanwhile, right-back Josh Brizell has been warned he must do more to win back his place.
Much was hoped for from the big summer signing from Hyde, but he has slipped down the pecking order following the extension of Graham Hutchison's loan from FC Halifax and the return to the club of Dwayne Samuels.
"I can only pick 16 players and I've got 27 at the moment," said Smith.
"Like any player, I can't think he's happy at not playing and I wouldn't expect him to be.
"It's the same for him as anyone else who's not playing – they've got to fight to get into it and take their chance when it comes."
On-loan Shrewsbury Town striker Kaiman Anderson missed last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Boston with an ankle injury but should be fit for Saturday's visit of Stalybridge Celtic
