"I think it helps by the fact that we have such a busy schedule,"
@Smalling told ESPN FC ahead of the FA Cup semifinal with Tottenham at Wembley on Saturday.
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"More often than not we're playing every two or three days and pretty much all your focus is just put on training, put on games and listening to the manager and what he wants you to do.
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"Obviously, you can't get away from certain noise, but it's a case of I am so focused on the pitch that I just want to keep putting on performances and keep building that manager's trust in me to play me every game."
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"The manager is happy," he said. "I think we're happy as a group. It's the group, the attackers start off the defending. As a group we have tended to have a good defensive record.
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"We are very proud of that and this year and last year we have added more goals to it. As a team we are working more efficiently at both ends of the pitch."
