Martin Smith outlined the importance of buying into Richie Wellens’ ideas as quickly as possible as he spoke to the press ahead of the trip to Port Vale.
Smith came on for James Dunne in last weekend’s defeat to Carlisle United, and the 29-year-old remains ruled out with a family emergency.
His replacement, however, is certain that the players need to buy in to Wellens’ way of playing, and that they need to learn quickly.
“He has made clear what he wants and it has been detailed, so we all know our jobs and our roles of where we are playing.
“It is about taking that on board and learning quickly and putting it into the games each week.”
“There is a new manager in charge now and all the players are buying into what he wants so we have to keep working and keep learning and putting it into our performance on Saturday.
“As a player, you have to be adaptable. It doesn’t matter where you are playing on the pitch, what the manager wants from you, you have got to give them.
“Whoever the manager is, you listen to what they want and you adapt your game.”
Smith also highlighted the importance of togetherness, within the squad, as well as individual professionalism.
“This is a period where we have had to stick together and work hard.
“We are going through a period where it has been difficult for us, but what’s happened is part of football – it does happen.
“I guess you get used to it a little bit and from the players’ point of view, you have to be professional and get on with your job.
“It has been a good week’s training and we are just trying to put in place what the manager wants. All the players are buying into that.”
“He wants us to have a structure in the team of when we have the ball and when we don’t have the ball.”
