Smith relishing midfield competition (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

SWINDON TOWN: Smith relishing midfield competition

8:30am Friday 3rd February 2012 in STFC By Gary Rose

JONATHAN Smith has welcomed Lee Cox’s arrival at Swindon, with the midfielder revealing that he thrives on the competition for his place in the side.

Cox arrived on transfer deadline day earlier this week and will compete with Smith, Simon Ferry and Oliver Risser for the two places in the middle.

Smith started, and scored, in the emphatic 4-1 win over Southend on Tuesday and he is hopeful of keeping his place in the side for tomorrow’s game against Burton.

The 25-year-old knows that will be easier said than done, given the competition he faces, but he is happy to keep on fighting for his place in the side.

“I am desperate to keep playing but there are four or five good players who can play in that position, so I have to keep working hard in training and proving that I want to play,” said Smith.

“Lee Cox looks like a tidy player, he looks to have a good pass and he looks like he is hungry to do well, so I think he will fit in well.

“The competition pushes me on to do well and fight for my place. I have always done well when there is competition so I feel it will help me.”

Paolo Di Canio’s penchant for utilising the rotation system means that even playing well does not guarantee a player their place in the side.

“Obviously it is a squad game and we all have to understand that,” added Smith.

“I always prepare to play no matter what, even if the team won the last game 5-0 because the gaffer has shown that he is prepared to change things, even if the team win. I am always ready to play.

“We are doing really well. It was a great win on Tuesday and we played well in the FA Cup last weekend, so the performances have been good.”