Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Jordan Smith believes his distribution is proving to be Mansfield Town’s ‘secret weapon’, he has told Nottinghamshire Live.
The custodian has 44 Championship appearances to his name at Forest but has found himself out on loan at the Stags this season.
Having penned terms at One Call Stadium in January, the agile goalkeeper has played eight matches for the promotion-chasing outfit.
Smith was the first-choice stopper during Mark Warburton’s reign as manager of the club.
The 24-year-old was encouraged by Warburton to play out from the back, a trait which he feels is now benefitting his temporary club.
He told Nottinghamshire Live: “There is no secret we’re a good football team.
“Ultimately that starts with me, with the ball at my feet or in my hands. It is a bit of a weapon of mine and something that the gaffer encourages.
“I just try to keep the back door shut and let the attacking lads do the scoring.”
Big moment
Smith etched his name into Forest folklore on the final day of the 2016/17 campaign against Ipswich Town.
With the scoreline goalless and the Reds staring relegation in the face, Smith produced a stunning stop which gave Forest the impetus to go on and win the game.
There is a case that Warburton perhaps encouraged Smith to overplay at times.
The player’s distribution skills are clearly being polished at the Stags, however.
Last weekend was a disappointing one for Mansfield, who lost the derby with Notts County.
Smith admitted that he couldn’t put his finger on what went wrong.
He said: “All I can say is no-one really left the pitch with much credit, and no-one was more disappointed than ourselves.
“To turn out the performance that we did, was miles off what we know we can do. It’s just something that we have to look back on and use as fuel in any of the remaining games in the season.”
Smith will hope to return for Forest during the summer and compete for a place in Martin O’Neill’s plans.
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The Reds boss has already shown his willingness to throw a youngster into his team.
Ryan Yates has played the last three games and looks the part.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Smith, but his chances of reviving his Forest career are being harnessed by regular football with David Flitcroft’s side.
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