Smithy Enjoying United Challenge Alan Smith: Loving Life At Old Trafford "A lot of people said coming here was a brave decision but everyone has made me feel very welcome." - Alan Smith Making the switch across the Pennines was never going to be easy for boyhood Leeds fan Alan Smith. But four goals in his first five games for United, including a terrific home de but strike against Norwich, have silenced any critics who believed Smith's York shire allegiance would prevent him from giving his all for Leeds' great rivals at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson has already compared him to United legend Mark Hughes thanks to his infectious commitment and ability to lead the line, while Reds fans now have a new hero to rival the likes of Roy Keane and Cristiano Ronaldo. As for the man himself, well, quite simply, he's loving life in Manchester... Firstly, how much have you enjoyed your first few weeks at United? Sometimes when you make a step up to a big club it takes time to settle in, p articularly in terms of your football, but I’ve really enjoyed it so far. It’ s good that it’s not far from home, and my family and friends have been over to visit a few times. A lot of people said coming here was a brave decision but all the lads, the staff and the fans have made me feel very welcome and helped me settle in really well.” How does it compare to your time at Leeds? ”It is different mainly because it’s the first time I’ve had to move away from my family which obviously takes a lot of time to get used to. But when you're out on the training field and out on the pitch, that’s the time when you enjoy it. It’s only when you leave the training ground and go home to an empty house that you get a bit down on yourself. But as I said before I’ve really enjoyed my time at the club so far.” It’s been a hectic few months since you moved to Old Trafford what with the American tour, the Vodafone Cup, the Champions League qualifier and the start of the Premiership season… “Yeah, it’s been good! When you’re training and playing matches you just have to concentrate on that. The less time I’ve got on my hands the better it is for me. I’d rather be down at the training ground or playing matches than back at home getting bored!” From a footballing perspective, how well do you feel you’ve settled into the team? “I think it’ll take a while to be honest because United play in a completely different way to what I’ve been used to at Leeds. We’re obviously a team that expects to win football matches and we have a lot of confidence going into gam es that we can beat anyone because United don’t settle for second best. That’ s a bit strange for me because towards the end of my time at Leeds we used to l ook more at the opposition rather than ourselves. Every game was like a Cup fin al because we were trying to stay in the Premiership, but at United every match is a big one because everybody wants to beat you; that’s the biggest differen ce I’ve found since I’ve been here. But there are enough characters and quali ty in the dressing room to make sure that we do win football matches.” "The main things I've found since I arrived here is that United don't settle fo r second best." Alan Smith Despite United’s long list of casualties at the moment, injuries are something that all clubs have to deal with aren’t they? “Yes they are. It’s just important that the players who are currently getting their chance in the side are playing well. It’s vital to have a big squad the se days and it gives all the players a chance to show what they can do. When yo u come to a club like United you realise that everybody’s going to get an oppo rtunity at some point because we’ve got so many games. So squad rotation is ve ry important. We’ve just got to get through this current spell of injuries and make sure we pick up as many points as we can with the players we’ve got avai lable. Once we get everyone fit again, hopefully we’ll start firing on all cyl inders.” You must have been delighted to score such a great goal against Norwich on your Old Trafford debut and then two more against Dinamo Bucharest? “Yes I was. I felt comfortable during both games and really enjoyed them. That ’s probably the main thing in football; you’ve got to enjoy being out there p laying, particularly infront of massive crowds like we get at Old Trafford. The way the rest of the lads celebrated my goal against Norwich was really nice an d it made me feel part of the team which meant a lot. My two goals against Dina mo Bucharest were a bit different to Saturday’s strike, but tap-ins are strike rs’ goals and you enjoy them just as much.” How does playing in the Champions League compare to life in the Premiership? “It’s certainly different and you have to approach European football in a dif ferent manner. Saying that, I think the English style of football suits the Eur opean kind. We play with a high tempo and like to get the ball forward and put teams on the back foot. The most important thing is we’re through to the group stages of the Champions League; for a club like Manchester United it’s essent ial that we’re there. Playing Champions League football is one of the biggest attractions about coming here. It’s the biggest cup competition in the world a nd it’s the place where you want to play your football. Hopefully we can enjoy a good run in the competition this season and get to the final.” Published by Gemma Thompson. -- 在雨後的下午，有时我会在凝着雾气的玻璃窗上，用手指写下这个球队的名字。这扇玻璃 窗会替我凝住这个最深，而且透明的情绪。我後来才知道自己有多依恋这扇窗子。至少我 仍然可以在玻璃窗上写下那个球队的名字。她的名字会在天空的背景下，显得特别清晰， 透亮；遥远，但可及。这个球队的名字不再是秘密--曼彻斯特联队。 --

※ 发信站: 批踢踢实业坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 140.117.64.151