Jay Smith has praised the Notts County management team of Ian McParland and Dave Kevan for the faith they have shown in him this season.Smith missed five months of the season with a groin injury but, with the support of manager McParland and assistant Kevan, the 26-year-old is convinced he is making great strides with his run in the first XI.

He told the club's official website: "The gaffer and Dave have put a lot of faith in me, and I believe they can make me a better player."

"Sometimes when you are training as a player, you just work away and make the same mistakes day-in, day-out. But what I like about Dave and the manager is that if you are making mistakes, they will pull you up and help you."

With the Magpies lying just four points away from the drop zone, Smith also feels the County players should take responsibility for the position they find themselves in.

"I don't think the management can take much blame for the position we are in. As players, we've got us into this position and we have to get ourselves out of it," he added.

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