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Bournemouth captain Adam Smith admits it’s “absolutely crazy” that the Cherries are on the verge of securing European football for the first time in the club’s history.
The long-serving defender told BBC Radio Solent: “This is an exciting period to be part of the club, whether you’re a supporter, player, or staff.
“To have a chance of making the Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League is something you dream about. I never imagined this club would come close to that. It’s just bonkers.
“The talent we have in this squad is frightening. Somehow the club keeps uncovering these players, and credit to them for that. We’ve built a strong group here, so new signings settle in quickly. It’s a privilege to be part of it.”
Smith returned to the starting lineup for Saturday’s victory at Fulham, taking the place of Alex Jimenez, who was dropped from the squad while the club investigates his social media activity.
As captain, Smith said he didn’t hold a formal meeting with the players but urged them to stay focused. “I’ve been in this game long enough to know that you can’t prepare for situations like this. It’s difficult, and I didn’t expect to play, but it’s under investigation. I simply told the lads to focus on the match, and they did – credit to them for not getting distracted. We stuck together on the pitch, and that’s all you can do. Handle it professionally, and we got the job done.”
Listen to Smith on BBC Sounds.
