Harry Smith has key role to play in Swindon's promotion push
Danish side AC Horsens have targeted Smith and have had two bids rebuffed by the Wiltshire club, but – after the game – Holloway was adamant the forward was central to his plans going forward.
'I've made it totally clear that Harry Smith is not going anywhere. I just need these people to understand that he's not for sale and he wouldn't want to go to you anyway,' said Holloway.
'It's dead in the water, it's not happening. How would I replace someone like him, who can drop back into the centre-half position, head it out and win us three points?
'I've had a good chat with the chairman (Clem Morfuni) about this and I thank him for saying no to selling Harry. The money they were offering wouldn't have kept us ticking over for more than two months. What good's that?
'I want promotion and then we might be able to give Harry a first division wage and then a Championship wage if he likes how I'm managing him and he believes in what I'm doing.
'So all these other people, with the greatest respect, can jog on, he's not for sale.
'The bid was an absolute joke for how good Harry Smith is and I believe he's getting better and better every day as a leader, a man, a dad and a husband. So why on earth would he want to leave now?'
Latics chief Micky Mellon said a poor start to the game left his side with too much to do.
'We started the game really poorly, not doing what we needed to do, not doing the jobs that we need people to do,' he said.
'All the way through the team was way off what we need it to be. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb to get back into the game. We huffed and puffed and when moments came for us, we were lacking in quality.
'It was really disappointing. If you go off the cuff and pull off magical stuff, it's great. But if you're poor off the cuff then it makes it doubly difficult.
'We need to draw a line under it and people need to learn that you can't play at any level like that.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Lucas Bergvall excited about Tottenham's ‘really good squad' after winning start
Bergvall played 80 minutes of Spurs' 3-0 Premier League victory over Burnley on Saturday after being introduced late on in the midweek Super Cup penalty shootout loss to Paris St Germain. Frank has used different systems in both fixtures and turned to central midfielder Bergvall as a number 10 option in their league opener in the absence of long-term injured duo James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. Goal of the season already? — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 16, 2025 After an assured display against Burnley, Bergvall will hope to be involved in Saturday's trip to Manchester City and insisted confidence was high after a summer where additions Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha had raised the level of the squad. 'We take every game at a time, we want Champions League of course, we want to win everything but every week is a new game so we take it one at a time,' Sweden international Bergvall said. 'We know what we can do. We're a really, really good squad and last year we won 4-0 away (at Man City). It's still a really tough game and we need to be ready.' Bergvall, 19, almost scored inside 60 seconds against Burnley and despite being the furthest midfielder forward for large periods, he relished the challenge of trying to break down a back-five. Asked where he preferd to play, Bergvall said: 'I don't know, it's up to the gaffer. I can play both. Whatever he wants. 'It was difficult to find space against a back-five, but I feel like sometimes when I come a bit deeper and drive with the ball up the pitch, it's good.' The arrival of Bayern Munich loanee Palhinha has added further competition in midfield, but the Spurs youngster believes he can learn from the Portugal international. 'Of course (I can learn), he's played at the top level for many years in Bayern and Fulham, it's really good to get another midfielder with experience,' Bergvall added. Richarlison's brace, including a sensational scissor kick goal, proved the difference against Burnley. 'That was unbelievable,' Bergvall acknowledged. 'Richy has been really good in pre-season and against PSG as well, even though he didn't score, he was really strong and today he got two goals.' Even though Bergvall has enjoyed life under Frank so far, he was eager not to compare the Danish coach to Ange Postecoglou, who brought the Djurgarden player to the club and placed enormous faith in him last season. Bergvall added: 'It's been really good. You saw the final against PSG, we lost but it was a really good game from us so it's been a really good start to the season. 'It's difficult to compare, I don't want to compare manager to manager, but I feel like we've had a really good start, working hard every day and trying to get the team together. It's been really good.' Scott Parker after today's defeat 🗣️ — Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) August 16, 2025 Burnley boss Scott Parker was without Armando Broja in north London. Parker revealed: 'Broja needs some more work and we need to tread really carefully, try get him up to speed. 'I don't want to rush anything with him. To come into the team, you need to be physically at your optimum. We'll see where we are next weekend (against Sunderland) with him.'
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Lucas Bergvall excited about Tottenham's ‘really good squad' after winning start
Bergvall played 80 minutes of Spurs' 3-0 Premier League victory over Burnley on Saturday after being introduced late on in the midweek Super Cup penalty shootout loss to Paris St Germain. Frank has used different systems in both fixtures and turned to central midfielder Bergvall as a number 10 option in their league opener in the absence of long-term injured duo James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. Goal of the season already? — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 16, 2025 After an assured display against Burnley, Bergvall will hope to be involved in Saturday's trip to Manchester City and insisted confidence was high after a summer where additions Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha had raised the level of the squad. 'We take every game at a time, we want Champions League of course, we want to win everything but every week is a new game so we take it one at a time,' Sweden international Bergvall said. 'We know what we can do. We're a really, really good squad and last year we won 4-0 away (at Man City). It's still a really tough game and we need to be ready.' Bergvall, 19, almost scored inside 60 seconds against Burnley and despite being the furthest midfielder forward for large periods, he relished the challenge of trying to break down a back-five. Asked where he preferd to play, Bergvall said: 'I don't know, it's up to the gaffer. I can play both. Whatever he wants. A post shared by Lucas Bergvall (@lucasbergvall) 'It was difficult to find space against a back-five, but I feel like sometimes when I come a bit deeper and drive with the ball up the pitch, it's good.' The arrival of Bayern Munich loanee Palhinha has added further competition in midfield, but the Spurs youngster believes he can learn from the Portugal international. 'Of course (I can learn), he's played at the top level for many years in Bayern and Fulham, it's really good to get another midfielder with experience,' Bergvall added. Richarlison's brace, including a sensational scissor kick goal, proved the difference against Burnley. 'That was unbelievable,' Bergvall acknowledged. 'Richy has been really good in pre-season and against PSG as well, even though he didn't score, he was really strong and today he got two goals.' Even though Bergvall has enjoyed life under Frank so far, he was eager not to compare the Danish coach to Ange Postecoglou, who brought the Djurgarden player to the club and placed enormous faith in him last season. Bergvall added: 'It's been really good. You saw the final against PSG, we lost but it was a really good game from us so it's been a really good start to the season. 'It's difficult to compare, I don't want to compare manager to manager, but I feel like we've had a really good start, working hard every day and trying to get the team together. It's been really good.' Scott Parker after today's defeat 🗣️ — Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) August 16, 2025 Burnley boss Scott Parker was without Armando Broja in north London. Parker revealed: 'Broja needs some more work and we need to tread really carefully, try get him up to speed. 'I don't want to rush anything with him. To come into the team, you need to be physically at your optimum. We'll see where we are next weekend (against Sunderland) with him.'
The Herald Scotland
3 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Dane Murray on 'crazy' Celtic 24hrs and reflects on journey
It came on the same day as the Parkhead club announced their academy product had signed a new deal, committing himself until the summer of 2028. Murray admits he will struggle to enjoy a better 24 hours. 'I don't think you can get much better than that," he said post-match. "It's been a crazy 24 hours, but no, I'm really happy. 'It (the contract) came about quite quickly. 'It's really been the last week or so, so everything's moving fast. Everything was really easy with the club. So yeah, happy to get it done. 'I was thinking, imagine how good this day could be if I go and score, so luckily it came through. " Achieving longevity at a club with such high standards is difficult in itself but Murray deserves even more credit considering he has been plagued by injury issues and missed long spells of football. Read more: Plenty would have wilted, unable to push themselves to respond to such drastic setbacks and stay at a club with spending power to go out and buy ready-made stars for big money. Reflecting on the hard times, the defender insists it actually helped him build resilience. Friday's events made it all worthwhile. 'It definitely makes it all worth it," he admitted. "You think back on hard things, but it really stands you in good stead and puts you in a good place. 'It's just about being on it every day in training, making sure I'm ready that when my chance does come, I'm ready to take it." It is not the first time Murray has had a pinch-me moment in the green and white hoops. Four years ago, he was handed his debut by Ange Postecoglou in a Champions League qualifier against Danish side Midtjylland, featuring in both legs." He would later come on as a substitute in a league phase game of the competition against Aston Villa. 'I think it all happened very quickly," he reflected. "I was 18 at the time, it was all not too quick for me, or too early, but I think now I'm definitely ready to take that chance. 'It was a crazy, crazy time back then, I'm just looking forward to the future. 'I was young so I think that probably came into a part of it as well. It was COVID times as well, so it was a lesser crowd, so I think it's different for games like this when it's near enough packed out. Read more: 'So I think that probably played a part as well, but I think when you're that young, you just want to take every opportunity you can get, regardless. 'You dream of Champions League and nights like that, going out and playing, so we'll see what happens. 'That was a bit crazy at Villa Park. I think there was maybe ten minutes left, and it wasn't a great night for myself, what happened – thanks for reminding me! 'I was just grateful for the opportunity. That's the goal for this team, is making it through the Champions League and getting as far as we can.' That all saw him go full circle years after performing the role of ball boy in Champions League clashes as a young kid. Murray added: 'I was a ball boy in a few of the big ones. I think going from doing it as a ball boy, to then ultimately playing in it, when I did, and then being a part of it now, it's crazy. It's been a long journey, but no, I'm just loving every minute of it. 'This is what I want to be, look at the players that have been here, ultimately been here and done it. I think, for me, it's just a real driving force to go and do what they've done at this club. 'It really gives you a lot of inspiration coming through, seeing these guys and what they've won. 'You've got guys like James (Forrest) here, who's the most decorated player at the club. 'He's probably sick of people saying that, to be honest, but you can look at guys like him and Cal and then KT coming back as well, it's really inspiring. 'I think it's always been a factor at this club, so yeah, ultimately, hopefully I can be a part of it as well. 'In training every day, just learning off everybody, taking it in my stride, and hopefully when I get my chance, I can take it."
