AFC Fylde boss Dave Challinor has challenged on-loan winger Jonny Smith to impress parent club Bristol City as the Coasters look to finish their debut National League season in sensational style.
Smith, along with his teammates, felt the full force of manager Challinor’s hairdryer treatment after a lacklustre first-half saw them a goal down against second-placed Sutton United.
The 20-year-old certainly took heed, crashing home a stunning leveller as the Coasters turned the game on its head to claim all three points and keep their promotion dream alive.
Now Challinor has urged Smith to push himself further still and prove his worth to Championship side Bristol City.
Challinor said: “Jonny is on a very good run of form, but I had a real dig at him at half-time at the weekend because I wanted more from him.
“The lads like Jonny that are less physical need to show that extra heart and desire.
“He needs to show us, and ultimately Bristol City, that he is good enough to play at a much higher level.
“He is going to come up against opposition that will try to rattle him and he will have to show them that he won’t be knocked about and that he can compete. If he does that then he has a real chance.
“Some young players might run and hide after getting a blasting but I have his best interests at heart and he rose to the challenge second half.
“He was much better and much more positive and got that bit of luck for his goal that comes with hard work. He was instrumental in winning us the game.”