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Smith: Tooting was the end of me
Transfer-listed Eastbourne Borough winger Dan Smith believes his FA Cup dismissal against Tooting and Mitcham signalled the end of his Priory Lane career.
The former Plymouth Argyle loanee was placed on the transfer list this week after making just three full 90 minute appearances following his much anticipated summer arrival.
Smith was arguably the highest profile of Boro's signings ahead of their second season in the Blue Square Premier.
But the 20-year-old playmaker was the first to admit that his early season form and style of play made it hard for him to fit into a side struggling at the wrong end of the table.
He said, "I think the Tooting game was the final straw and the three match ban didn't make it easy.
"I retaliated but it was nothing too serious. The player grabbed me and didn't let go so I brought my arm up.
"Perhaps if it happened again I would have reacted differently. I'm disappointed things didn't work out for me.
"I enjoyed my first spell at the club but this time it felt different. I was not training every day and that was a big thing for me to get used to.
"Last time I was here I was playing up front with Ashley (Barnes) and we knew each other's game inside out. It was easier for me to link with him and play my game.
"I felt my form was getting better and worthy of a place in the side. Perhaps my style of play didn't suit this year. We were playing a lot of long ball and battling for results. That's not my style.
"I'm disappointed because I didn't really get a fair chance to show my best form."
Smith is now in talks with his agent and his family. He is contracted for the rest of the season but is desperately hoping to secure a loan move to a full-time Blue Square Premier club. He is currently staying in Plymouth but will be in Eastbourne to attend a training session tomorrow (Saturday).
"I am prepared to move away from Plymouth but I feel I need to go somewhere where I can train full-time," he added.
Boss Garry Wilson said, "No-one's come in for Dan yet. No-one will want him yet because of his suspension.
"We cannot say the door is closed on him forever but we will put his name about and see what happens.
"It has not worked out for Dan and sometimes it's best for both parties if we hold our hands up and say it hasn't worked.
"We needed to revaluate the squad after what's happened and we felt this was the best way to move forward."
After transfer listing Smith and making Michael Jordan and Simon Johnson available for loan, the Boro boss is keen to bolster his squad.
"We've spoken to various managers and been given some recommendations. We had a young lad from Northampton with us in the reserves on Wednesday. He's a striker who can also play down the left. We might also look at one or two more on Tuesday night," he said.
"There's no rush - if we bring anyone in on loan it will be when the loan can begin. We can't bring someone in and then tell them we haven't got a game this weekend."
Boro are without a fixture this weekend and are next in action on Tuesday night at Burgess Hill Town in the second round of the Sussex Senior Cup.
The supporters' club will be running a coach to the Burgess Hill game on Tuesday, departing Priory Lane at 5.45pm. Seats are 5 each.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: West
