Part 2
Meanwhile, the Manchester Evening News carries a feature with City’s young Welsh star Matt Smith, who is currently on a season-long loan at Dutch club FC Twente.
The 19-year-old has linked up with the Wales squad ahead of their friendly with Trinidad and Tobago.
And the M.E.N's Dan O’Toole has spoken at length with the youngster, reporting: “The Redditch-born midfielder has played 90 minutes in all but six of his 27 league appearances for Twente this season and feels the pressures of a first-team environment have aided his development .
"I think I’ve matured quite a lot as a player," he says. "When you’re playing under-23s there’s a league format but it’s not really competitive."
He also told O’Toole about the help and support he had received from Dragons boss Ryan Giggs, who handed Smith his international debut earlier this year.
"He’s obviously given me the opportunity to make my international debut," Smith, with four caps to his name, says. "I respect him so highly for giving me that and I’m grateful for the opportunity that he’s given me.
"The experience that the gaffer is giving me is something that really is amazing.
"The players I’m playing with as well, they’re helping me and all of the other young ones out and they make us feel like we’ve been a part of the team for a long time."
Finally, there’s a fascinating interview in the Hartlepool Mail with former City and Middlesbrough star Jamie Pollock who is now carving out a new career path as a non-league manager.
The Mail’s Mark Carruthers scribes: “Former Middlesbrough and Manchester City midfielder Jamie Pollock is relishing life as manager of Northern League Division Two club Billingham Synthonia.
"It hasn’t been without its difficulties, as Pollock’s young side take on the numerous challenges that the sixth-tier of non-league football can provide. After a difficult start to the season, Synners are showing signs of life. A 4-0 win at struggling Durham City – their third in their four games – moved Pollock’s side into the top eight of the division.
“We don’t want to be a normal Northern League team, we want to play football and we want to do it our way," said Pollock.
“If we have to do things slower, that’s what we will do. “We have no questions over the players in terms of footballing ability.
What we are now asking them is to grow up quickly and learn the mentality of the Northern League. “Then the quality will shine through. “We have time on our side, and we have a good young group. “We attack teams and that’s a good sign.”
Thursday Gossip
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posted on 21/3/19
Part 2
Meanwhile, the Manchester Evening News carries a feature with City’s young Welsh star Matt Smith, who is currently on a season-long loan at Dutch club FC Twente.
The 19-year-old has linked up with the Wales squad ahead of their friendly with Trinidad and Tobago.
And the M.E.N's Dan O’Toole has spoken at length with the youngster, reporting: “The Redditch-born midfielder has played 90 minutes in all but six of his 27 league appearances for Twente this season and feels the pressures of a first-team environment have aided his development .
"I think I’ve matured quite a lot as a player," he says. "When you’re playing under-23s there’s a league format but it’s not really competitive."
He also told O’Toole about the help and support he had received from Dragons boss Ryan Giggs, who handed Smith his international debut earlier this year.
"He’s obviously given me the opportunity to make my international debut," Smith, with four caps to his name, says. "I respect him so highly for giving me that and I’m grateful for the opportunity that he’s given me.
"The experience that the gaffer is giving me is something that really is amazing.
"The players I’m playing with as well, they’re helping me and all of the other young ones out and they make us feel like we’ve been a part of the team for a long time."
Finally, there’s a fascinating interview in the Hartlepool Mail with former City and Middlesbrough star Jamie Pollock who is now carving out a new career path as a non-league manager.
The Mail’s Mark Carruthers scribes: “Former Middlesbrough and Manchester City midfielder Jamie Pollock is relishing life as manager of Northern League Division Two club Billingham Synthonia.
"It hasn’t been without its difficulties, as Pollock’s young side take on the numerous challenges that the sixth-tier of non-league football can provide. After a difficult start to the season, Synners are showing signs of life. A 4-0 win at struggling Durham City – their third in their four games – moved Pollock’s side into the top eight of the division.
“We don’t want to be a normal Northern League team, we want to play football and we want to do it our way," said Pollock.
“If we have to do things slower, that’s what we will do. “We have no questions over the players in terms of footballing ability.
What we are now asking them is to grow up quickly and learn the mentality of the Northern League. “Then the quality will shine through. “We have time on our side, and we have a good young group. “We attack teams and that’s a good sign.”
posted on 21/3/19
Hope Pollocks team are fitter than he was !!
posted on 21/3/19
comment by MontonBlue (U6082)
posted 19 minutes ago
Hope Pollocks team are fitter than he was !!
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Hope they aren't a load of Pollocks either
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