Alan Smith: 'Notts County players good enough to get results'

Alan Smith has stressed that Notts County must go back to basics to restore their belief and confidence, but believes that the players are good enough to get results.

The former Leeds United and Manchester United forward has been given the responsibility of managing the struggling Magpies on an interim basis following John Sheridan's dismissal.

"What we have tried to emphasise is that it's about getting that belief and confidence back into the players," Smith told the Nottingham Post.

"In the last 18 months, performances and results haven't been good enough. When you are not getting results, you struggle for confidence and that applies to any sport.

"I am not going to play on Saturday. I am going to try to help the lads as much as possible and from now until Saturday is all about getting a result.

"There is no reason why we can't. Although every game in this league is difficult, I keep emphasising to the group that they don't become bad players overnight.

"There are players in the dressing room who have played Championship or League One football for most of their career.

"If I didn't think the team could win, I wouldn't be sat here trying to motivate them. Hand on heart, I do think we have good enough players to get results.

"One of the first things I said to the players was that in this short period of time could they take on board what I want them to do, which is to go back to basics.

"We have to try everything we can to get a result. It's pretty straight forward and we can't reinvent the way we want to play because there just hasn't been the time.

"I think collectively we are underachieving, but there is no quick fix for that. It doesn't happen overnight.

"We are going to Morecambe with commitment and passion, everything you would expect from a team."

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