INTERVIEW: I want to play as many games as possible

“It does have the feel of a club ready to push on,” he said. “As I’ve said before, there are some quality players here and all we needed was a little bit more in the way of consistency, both as a team and as individuals.

“If we can get that for next year, and keep more clean sheets as a back four, we’ll be in a good place. Getting those shut-outs is definitely something we’ll be looking to do.”

Part of the process of the closed season for any player is a period of self-assessment and he admitted that it’s something he takes very seriously.

“You always look at your mistakes first and foremost,” he told us. “That’s so it’s clear in your head about areas you need to improve. If you know where they are you can come back in pre-season ready to pick up on those points.

“When you come back in June or July you have got to be ready to go and ready to prove your worth all over again. It’s important that you come back flying. I’m the type of player who can’t afford to sit around and not do anything for six weeks. I’ve got to keep myself fit or it all feels that much harder.

“I always switch off completely for ten days or so but I start building up again fairly quickly. I tend to work with a personal trainer because I find it difficult to get myself going if I’m on my own. For me it’s better to have someone there to help with the motivational side of it. I find that it’s much easier to do it when someone is there and setting you targets.”

“I won’t even lie about it – I hate pre-season,” he confirmed. “I think almost every player would say that. However, it’s part and parcel of the job and you just have to get on with it. 

“Whatever you do in the lead up it’s all about being ready for that first game of the season in August. That means you have to set your standards in the friendly games to get a good stepping stone for the real thing. 

“My personal target this season is to play as many games as possible because I only missed one, from when I signed, last season. That was down to a silly sending off ... but let’s not go there on that one! All I really want is to play as many games as I can next season.

“A few goals would be good to go with it. I’ve had the chances, I can’t say I haven’t, and that’s something else I’ll be reflecting on. Hopefully next season I’ll be able to finish a few of those off.”

“The nice thing is that this club has been through a lot recently and it feels like I’ve come here at the time of a real turning point,” he concluded. “Everyone has really pulled together, we saw that during the floods, and I think we’re now in a good position to kick on.”