INTERVIEW: The right place for me to be

“I think it was vital for my career to get something nailed down,” he said. “I've been very pleased with how things have gone here so far. I've enjoyed myself and it’s been brilliant in the games I've been involved in. 

“I've played ten games so far, and we've had quite a good record in those, but I'm just looking forward now. We want to kick on and try and get promotion if we can. It's a team game and to get promoted every single player has to pull their weight.”

On his other options, he said: “There was a chance of another loan and there was the situation at Shrewsbury as well. It took a bit of time to get it sorted but I'm pleased to be staying here. I managed to sort something out with Shrewsbury with regards to leaving there, because the most important thing for me is to be playing games. 

“The fact I already knew the lads here was a massive part of my decision. I know this club can go far and push for promotion. We've got a couple of games in hand on teams above us which could take us back into the top seven. It's all about performing well and working hard as a group.”

Speaking about the reasons behind the move, he said: “Shrewsbury made it clear, not just to myself but to other players as well, that we weren't going to be used. It was vital that I got something sorted and even though there were little bits of interest from elsewhere I felt this was the right place for me to be. 

“I just wanted to get things sorted so I could carry on playing games. I'm looking forward to the rest of my time here now that we’re sorted with the contract. The gaffer has been a big part of that and we've had good conversations in the last week or so. To get something like this now means I can look forward and work hard for the next two and a half years. 

“I've spoken to the manager every day this week and he's told me what he wants to do and where he wants to take the club. We all want to try and push on into League One which is where the manager wants us to be. I was more than happy to come here once I heard all of that. 

“It’s one of those things which could probably have dragged on until the end of the transfer window, but I didn't want to miss this weekend or any other games. Missing games means you lose your fitness so I just wanted it sorted as quickly as possible. All I want to do is to play games. I don't think any player wants to sit on the bench or in the stand.”

“I've been pleased with my own form," he said. “It's vital I play games and keep my fitness up, but I still think there's a lot more to come. The gaffer thinks there's more to come as well and he wants to work with me to help me improve. 

“I've enjoyed playing with Michael Raynes. There's an understanding there and the encouragement we give to one another has been excellent. It’s not just him because all of the lads have been excellent. We're all working together and we're willing to work hard for each other.

“I suppose the next piece of the jigsaw is to get a few goals. I do want to get on the score sheet. Danny Grainger and the other lads put crosses onto my head but it just isn't going in. Hopefully it can turn and I can get a few goals from now until the end of the season.”

And on Sunday’s FA Cup fixture, he told us: “It's always exciting to play in the FA Cup and it's something I'm looking forward to. We'll show Yeovil the respect they deserve. The league game against them was my first game and they played well, so we're expecting the same again. There's an opportunity for us to get into the fourth round and hopefully draw one of the big teams.

“We didn't have the best of starts in the league game but we showed great character and willingness to work hard to come back and get the three points. Yeovil have obviously changed managers since then so he'll have his own style of play, but we'll be ready for it.

“Blackpool are playing on the pitch on Saturday but we won't let that affect us. We've got to play to the conditions so if the pitch isn't the best we'll just have to get on with it. It’s another of our games at a different stadium but the fans have turned up in their numbers and made the last two feel like home games. They've been brilliant and they've really got behind us. I don't think it's affected us – in fact I’d say it’s more a case that we've enjoyed it.”