Smith in five point target
AFC Telford United boss Rob Smith takes his side to Blue Square North leaders Kettering tomorrow with a five-point target to guarantee their place in the play-offs. AFC Telford United boss Rob Smith takes his side to Blue Square North leaders Kettering tomorrow with a five-point target to guarantee their place in the play-offs. Smith believes a win and two draws from their four remaining fixtures would be enough to cement a place in the top five. But he accepts they have a tough job on their hands at the A-Line Arena tomorrow against a Poppies side who could seal the title - if they win and Harrogate and Stalybridge both drop points. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Rob Smith" class="imageframe imgalignright" height="175" src="http://www.shropshirestar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/4bucks1.thumbnail.jpg" title="New Bucks signing Emeka Nwadike with manager Rob Smith" width="146"/>AFC Telford United boss Rob Smith takes his side to Blue Square North leaders Kettering tomorrow with a five-point target to guarantee their place in the play-offs.Smith believes a win and two draws from their four remaining fixtures would be enough to cement a place in the top five.
But he accepts they have a tough job on their hands at the A-Line Arena tomorrow against a Poppies side who could seal the title - if they win and Harrogate and Stalybridge both drop points.
"We've sat down and gone through exactly what we need to do and I've set our minimum target as five points from the last four games," said Smith, whose side have lost their last three in a row.
"That would put us 10 points clear of Nuneaton and they would then have to win all of their games to pass us, and I don't think they will do that.
"Kettering are the best team in the league by a country mile and they thoroughly deserve to win the league," he added.
"They're not unbeatable though, and that's been proved. It's going to be difficult, but if we can match them for the first half an hour then you never know what's going to happen."
Telford completed their preparations for the big match with a full 11-a-side game in training last night, which included new signing Emeka Nwadike. The Bucks are without Jimmy Turner (hamstring), Jamie Vermiglio (foot) and Gary Birch (knee), while Dave Roberts (foot) and Indy Khela (thigh) are both doubts.
But they still managed to find 22 players at the New Bucks Head last night, albeit with assistant manager Larry Chambers and Smith's teenage son Elliott both taking part to make up the numbers.
"It was a good workout and I saw a lot," added Smith. "I was standing in the middle of the pitch refereeing it and we are a very quiet team.
"We're lacking a leader out there and I think the lads have got to be more vocal and more nasty on the pitch if we're going to get to where we want to be.
Meanwhile, Kettering boss Mark Cooper believes the pressure is all on his side and expects the Bucks to rally from their recent blip.
"They have signed a couple of players and seem to be strengthening at the right time," he said. "They will fancy their chances and there won't be as much pressure on them. It's a tough game but one we are looking forward to."