YOUNG City midfielder Korey Smith is relishing life in the first team - and looking forward to the visit of high-flying Charlton to Carrow Road tomorrow (3pm).
Smith has caught the eye with his industry and commitment in the engine room of City's midfield since being given his first extended run in the senior team by new boss Paul Lambert.
The Academy product hopes to carry on that run by helping to end Charlton's unbeaten start to the 2009-10 Coca-Cola League One campaign.
He told First News: "They've won a lot of matches and are top of the league. We know they are a good team but I'm sure if we do well we can get a result. At the end of the day it's just another match and we'll go out and do it as a team. If we win it will be excellent because people can then see what we can do."
Smith is a veteran of City's horror show at the Valley on the final day of last season, a bittersweet full debut which saw him personally play well only for City to slump to a 4-2 defeat - and into League One.
He commented: "Obviously last time was my full debut but the way it ended was disappointing. Tomorrow is a good chance to show we've moved on as a team."
Thoroughly enjoying his run in the first team, Smith is not about to become complacent in a squad with strong competition for places: "I'm young so maybe I expected to get a few games like I did at the end of last season but it is amazing to think that I've been starting a lot of matches in the first team. But there are a lot of players in the squad so it doesn't mean I've secured a place. I've got to work hard and try and keep my place in the team.
Watch the full interview with Korey Smith on Canaries Player.
"I like playing anywhere in the centre of midfield really. I played in the holding role against MK Dons and got some good feedback. Against MK Dons Tom and I played in the middle which was an excellent experience even though we lost. But to play centre midfield in the first team alongside someone I went through the youth team with is quality."
Smith found extra responsibility thrust on to his young shoulders in the 2-1 defeat at stadiumMK as injuries to key players, including initial midfield partner Stephen Hughes, left him and the rest of the team with challenging re-adjustments to make as the game wore on.
He recalled: "A lot of things changed around me, firstly one of the centre midfielders that I was playing with went off, then the other went to left back. I had to stay in my position and tell other players, although I'm young, who to be marking. I was the captain of the youth team so I'm not shy when it comes to talking on the pitch."
Tickets are available for the visit of league leaders Charlton Athletic to Carrow Road by logging on to online ticketing, by calling 0844 826 1902, or in person at Carrow Road ticket office or the Canary Store in the Mall, Norwich.
