Adam Smith was close to England call up

Both the Sunday Express and the Mirror believed that Adam Smith was on the edge of an England call up for Gareth Southgate's squad to face Scotland. It all depended on if there were to be injuries to either Karl Walker and Nathanial Clyne, but they came through their respective games unscathed.

Considering that Adam Smith has only claimed the right back starting spot half way through last season for AFCB, it is quite a fast-track rise that he has been on. The former-Millwall and Spurs defender has been an industrious player for the Cherries at right back and his ambition to always get forward has clearly been noted. I saw Sammy Lee, England's assistant manager, in the stands on Saturday and while I dd not quiz him on who he was watching it appears that Jack Wilshere and Adam Smith were the ones most on his radar. Jack has been recalled and will surely feel that he has made good progress while being at AFCB.

A few words of advice for Adam Smith.

While Adam Smith has not won any of the AFCB player of the month awards so far he has been nominated this last month and has been an ever-present starter for the Cherries this season. Adam certainly came up against a real handful in Victor Anichebe on Saturday. He had trouble controlling the sheer physical nature of the Sunderland forward and even though he was guilty of making a challenge that led to the winning penalty, he has repeatedly shown that he is willing to try and save his team when the odds are against him. Some may say he needs to learn not to make such desperate challenges, but I think it is Adam Smith's way to try and make the difference. He had a similar disappointing moment a couple of season's ago when he gave away a penalty against Middlesbrough that he though would cost the Cherries promotion. 

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The experience that he has gained under Jason Tindall and Eddie Howe has surely proved to his that he made the right decision to come back to AFCB. It will be a welcome pat on the back for AFCB's coaching staff if Adam does get his call up and I think that by binging Jack Wilshere to the club, it has put more of a focus on AFCB's players and given one or two the chance to get seen on a more regular basis by those who are looking for new international players.

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