Everything Michael Smith said about settling into Mansfield Town, his strike partners and what he brings to Stags

Mansfield Town’s main aim over the summer was to bolster their options in attack, so they made quick work of signing David McGoldrick and Michael Smith.

The two strikers bring decades of valuable experience to the One Call Stadium and provide Nigel Clough with multiple combinations to lead the line this season.

Smith has impressed in his first handful of games as a Stags player, with his physical presence and hold-up play some of the most notable things praised by fans and professionals alike. However, with just one League One goal on his tally so far, the 34-year-old is eager to kick on and add plenty more in a campaign he believes can become fruitful for Mansfield.

Smith’s first competitive goal in amber and blue came against Peterborough United last month. He netted Stags’ equaliser from a Rhys Oates assist but the Posh went on to snatch all three points at the death.

He came close to adding another to his account against Bradford City most recently but after a missed headed chance and a goal overturned, both he and the team were sent home empty-handed.

Eager to build his numbers, Smith spoke about his role at Mansfield Town so far, what he brings to the club and working alongside his fellow strikers.

“I would prefer a lot more goals. I pride myself on scoring goals and creating chances for others but I feel like I’ve settled in well and gotten to know the lads really well. It’s just one of those things – the more games I play with the boys, the more comfortable I’ll be,” he said during his pre-Huddersfield Town press conference.

“There’s been a lot of different strike partnerships. I started with Oatesy, I’ve played up there with Regan and then Didzy. There’s a lot of quality in the squad so whoever the manager picks, I feel like I can work well with.”

Smith is modest about his ability and what he brings to the Stags but his hard work on the pitch and physicality are key in the way he plays. Defenders have had trouble keeping Smith contained, as he uses his height and strength very well to his advantage, which produces opportunities for both himself and others.

“I’ve always had a work ethic. That’s something that’s been drilled into me since I was in the youth team at Darlington,” the striker continued. “I had a coach up there who said ‘you might not be having the best game but the least you can do is work hard’. That’s stuck with me throughout my career.

“I bring a physical presence up front. I haven’t got anywhere near as much ability as some of the other strikers here on the ball and stuff like that, I’ll openly admit that. But as long as I can be a handful up there and try to create chances and get the space for others then it’s all good.”

Smith arrived at Stags eager to pursue another promotion challenge, having pushed up the ranks with Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United. He mentioned in his first interview with the club that he believes in the project at Mansfield Town, and he remains confident his new side have what it takes to challenge around the play-offs.

“I’ve been away from League One for a while now, but coming back and seeing some of the other teams, I don’t see why we can’t be up there in and around the play-offs," he said.