CALLUM Smith is looking to upset the odds with Southend Saxons this season.
Saxons, who resume their Regional One South East season with a trip to Tring on Saturday, have been beaten in their last two outings.
And Smith believes Southend will be underdogs in most games this term.
“I think when you look around and you hear some of the stories of what other clubs are paying some players and attracting players from professional club to drop two or three leagues lower to play, you know it’s going to be a tricky season, there’s no doubt about it,” said Smith.
“Realistically, we’re going to be underdogs in 90 per cent of the games this year and on a personal level, that suits me.
“There’s no pressure on us, no one expects us to win, local clubs don’t want us to win and everyone in this league think we’re going to be easy targets.
“Fine, no worries but when we turn up, and undoubtedly hand it to a couple of teams, like we have already this season and coming close to a good Old Northamptonians side, people will have to take notice, but for now underdogs it is.
“The goal for us it to finish around mid-table and build again and establish ourselves.”
Southend fought hard to win the Regional Two Anglia last season.
And Smith has already noticed a step up in standard.
“I think as a collective it’s been a big step for sure,” said Smith.
“I think luckily, there’s a couple of us that have played a half-decent level of rugby so it’s not been completely new,” said Smith.
“ Some of the lads have never played this level and it’s now the time for them to step up and show they belong here and hopefully over the next few months they do that.”
Southend kicked off the campaign with back to back wins before losing two matches in succession.
But Smith admits setbacks were inevitable for the Saxons this season, despite winning 29 matches in a row.
“It was always going to come and there’s no team in whatever sport in the world that doesn’t lose,” said Smith.
“Our time eventually came and we move on.
“If we dwell on it for too long there’ll be another team the weekend after, beating you too.
“Just identify what went wrong, work on it and go again.”
And that is exactly what the sixth placed Saxons will look to do at Tring.
“I’ve never played Tring but by all accounts it’s a difficult place to go,” said Smith.
“As with all games this year, it will be tricky.
“We just go, try and ruffle a few feathers and leave.
“If we have a good performance then we’ll be close to getting the W, the same with playing every game this year.”
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