JACK Smith is confident Town can now recapture their away-day mean streak after getting their house in order at home, writes JON RITSON.

A clash with Bradford City brings back memories of rock bottom for Smith and company as a 3-2 defeat back in September saw fans' frustrations boil over and ultimately resulted in the axe falling on Andy King.

The mood is altogether different now with a far greater sense of harmony surrounding the club.

Smith is confident Town can build on successive home victories by notching three points on the road, something they have managed just once so far this season.

In the early part of Iffy Onuora's reign, home form was hardly sparkling but between October 15 and January 14 Town put together a seven-match unbeaten run on their travels.

The last two road trips have brought 3-0 and 2-0 reverses at Gillingham and Southend respectively but Smith feels that sequence can be halted.

He said: "We spoke about making the County Ground a bit of a fortress and somewhere where teams don't want to come and play.

"We've done that. We're working a lot harder, closing people down and in the last few games opposing teams haven't had many chances and shots.

"But away form has dipped and we need to get that going again.

"We're keeping the ball better and if we get into teams there's no-one we can't beat on our day. We can certainly go to Bradford with confidence."

Not that Smith is taking anything for granted, particularly where Dean Windass and Steve Claridge are concerned.

Having said that, Smith feels the veteran strikers should be worrying about Messrs O'Hanlon and Ifil.

"Windass is a good player and scored a lot of goals. he is one of best forwards in this league.

"In the first game he was probably the difference between the two sides, him and Claridge when he came on.

"Still, we've got Sean and Jerel to deal with them."

Win, lose or draw though, Smith hopes the post-match reaction won't mirror that of the home clash.

He said: "It was low times but we bounced back and that shows a lot of courage and the team spirit."

That match saw the end for former boss King amid angry scenes.

Not that Smith doesn't have reason to be grateful to his old boss as well as his current one.

He said: "Andy King took a chance on me when not many other clubs looked like they were going to. I knew he had confidence in me."

However, he is now looking to the future and admits he will be happy to discuss extending life under Onuora.

He said: "We want to get the club back to where it belongs."