INTERVIEW: It's been good but it's been tough

Speaking first about the pre-season training package, he said: “It’s good but it’s been tough so far. I’ve been made to feel very welcome by the lads and we’ve all knuckled down to get on with the job.

“I think I’ve said before, this feels like the right place to be to me. I think the fact the things the gaffer said matched what my ambitions are mattered a lot. Everything he spoke about made it feel like a very good fit.”

“He has made some very good signings and the mood is really positive in the dressing room,” he continued. “They’re all experienced lads and I think they will help us to build a winning mentality. They’re going to be strict, which you need to get to the top of league, so I think everyone is excited for this season.”

Looking back at his visit to Brunton Park with Morecambe last season, when the Blue Army clapped him from the pitch in recognition of the quality of his performance, he said: “When I was clapped off the pitch it stuck with me then, and it still sticks with me now, because it’s never happened to me before.

“It did mean a lot for the fans to do that so hopefully I can repay them this year. As a team we didn’t really touch the ball much, and when we did we counter-attacked really. The home fans appreciated what we did and that shows they know their football.”

“I want to do for them now,” he insisted. “I’m here to play a part and to do my bit in making us successful. In terms of improvement, I think I just need to score more goals. 

“I got seven last year but I need to be hitting double figures from the position I’m playing. Having said that, I’m not too bothered about what position I play. If I’m playing out wide I always seem to drift in anyway, so it doesn’t really bother me. I’ll go out wide or slot in behind the strikers, whatever the manager needs.

“A big part of my game is to create chances for the rest of the team. Last year I created a lot and I ended up with quite a few assists. If I have the same amount of assists and goals as last season I’ll be doing all right. That’s my aim.”

His final word was on what he thinks the team can achieve this season: “Promotion. That’s the only word going around the dressing room, the training ground and the club itself. 

“That’s all we care about. It doesn’t matter how we get there. If we have to scrape into the play-offs on the last day of the season and do it that way, or go up as the winners - who cares really as long as we do it.”