Rob Smith: AFC Telford need leaders

The Bucks were heading into today’s clash with Nuneaton Town knowing a win would be enough to secure safety in National League North.

And although survival is at the forefront of Smith’s mind, he said on his plans over the summer: “You have got to weigh up everything.

“You have to weigh up what money you have got available.

“It’s OK saying we haven’t been great all season and getting rid of players, but we have got to replace them with people.

“If they are not better than what I have got, there’s absolutely no point to it.”

Smith believes there is plenty of technical ability in his squad, but feels they lack the mental edge required and said: “I think they are a talented bunch of players, I really do.

“I watch them in training and I know they are talented – they are more talented than some of the other teams I’ve had.

“There’s not quite that mentality, that toughness there. We lack leaders on the pitch, you can see that.

“Decisions like that will be made at the end of the season though, we have got to get safe.”

One player who Smith has said previously he would like to keep on for next term is 40-year-old former West Bromwich Albion striker Lee Hughes.

He put in a good performance as the Bucks drew 1-1 at Stockport County on Friday night, but would have been very keen to find the net today to end a five-game goal drought.

“When you are playing one up there against three, you have got to be a certain type of player – and Lee occupied them on Friday night,” said Smith.

“He was a menace. I criticised him, to his face, because I thought at Boston it was a bit of a stroll in the sun for him. He has repaid me with a good performance on Friday night.”

Telford were applauded off the pitch at Edgeley Park following a wholehearted performance. Smith was looking for more of the same against Nuneaton today and said: “We were really determined in every way on Friday night, as staff and as players.

“I think that’s all the supporters want to see, a bit of fight.”