Cherries closing in on European football 'is kind of bonkers' - Smith

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Bournemouth captain Adam Smith says "it's kind of bonkers" that the Cherries are so close to qualifying for European football this season for the first time in club history.

Long-serving stalwart Smith told BBC Radio Solent: "It's an exciting time to be at this club, whether you're a fan, player or staff member.

"To potentially be in the Champions League or Europa or Conference is what dreams are made of.

"I never thought this club would be anywhere near that. It is kind of bonkers.

"The players we have at this club is scary. Somehow the club finds these players and credit for them for doing that.

"We've got a good group here which means you can bring in new players and they settle really quickly.

"It's a privilege to be here."

Smith came back into the side for Saturday's win at Fulham and replaced Alex Jimenez, who has been dropped from the squad while the club investigates posts on social media.

As captain, he said he "didn't do a meeting or anything like that" with the players, but he did call for them to keep their focus.

"I've been in this game a long time and it's something you can't prepare for," added Smith. "It's a tough time and I didn't expect to play, but it's under investigation.

"I just told the lads to concentrate on the game and they did so credit to the lads for not getting distracted.

"I felt we all stuck together out there and that's all we can do. Deal with it with professionalism and we done our job."

Listen to Smith on BBC Sounds