MARTIN Smith believes he has settled into his new role at Swindon Town well, although admits he will play anywhere manager Phil Brown wants him to if it means he earns a spot in the starting team.

Smith was confirmed as one of Town’s new additions during the off-season in early July, having impressed Brown during his trial period at the club.

The holding midfielder has since featured heavily for Town during what has been a busy pre-season schedule, which concludes on Friday at the Webbswood Stadium against Swindon Supermarine.

After slipping to another pre-season defeat on Saturday against Portsmouth, Smith admitted Town must now focus on fine-tuning tactics while continuing to build partnerships on the pitch.

He said: “The Portsmouth game was beneficial for us, and what the manager said afterwards was spot-on. It was what we needed, we got more minutes in the tank.

“It was a good, tough test against a team that’s in a higher division than us.

“There are things we can take from the game which we will need to learn from and build on.

“It’s about fine-tuning. Both boxes will get there, because the general play has been good. And it has been all pre-season.

“It’s about tightening up on the minor details and in both boxes.”

Smith is one of seven new players Brown has added to his squad throughout the summer following the departure of several key players from last year’s campaign, including top goalscorer Luke Norris and defender Matt Preston.

The refreshed Town side has quickly gelled, though, according to Smith – who believes learning how his team-mates like to play is vitally important for the position he plays in.

He said: “It’s about learning each player and developing a relationship with players on the pitch.

“There are little relationships on the pitch and we’re all getting used to each other – every day is getting better.

“We’ve just got to keep going in the same direction.

“I think the holding role suits me.

“That’s where the manager wants me to play, but I don’t care where I play. So long as I’m in that team come August 4.

"But I’m enjoying the number four position, I’m seeing a lot of the ball. I’ve just got to keep working hard.”