Ryan Clarke insisted there are be no hard feelings towards former employees Northampton ahead of his return there with new club AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
Keeper Clarke was brought to The Cobblers by former boss Chris Wilder at the start of last season only to find himself frozen out by first-choice Adam Smith and so moved to join the Wombles this summer.
While it was an experience he does not want to repeat, the Bristol-born 34-year-old says he has nothing to prove and all that matters is getting the right result for Dons .
“We had a great team at Northampton last year and the keeper played fantastic all season, so I’ve got no qualms,” he said.
“It was the first time in my career I’ve been at a club and not playing, but on the positive side it was nice there was a promotion involved.
“So there is no extra edge to Saturday’s game. There are three points to play for and that is all the edge that you need because we are in desperate need of getting off the mark at the moment.”
AFC Wimbledon's defeat to Scunthorpe in pictures:
Being sub goalkeeper is clearly like no other place on the pitch in that unless your teammate gets injured or sent off you are destined to keep warming the bench.
Clarke admits the situation may account for what he sees as a slow start to the current campaign for him personally.
However, he intends to focus on the positives of his goalkeeping ‘gap year.’
“It is tough being a sub keeper and off the pitch it affects you a lot as well, he added.
“The positive for me out of not playing last year is it has made me more determined and a lot hungrier to come to a new club and play this year.
AFC Wimbledon supporters watch the Scunthorpe match in pictures:
“Obviously I didn’t like not playing, no-one likes that, but it has given me a year’s rest as well, so I’ve probably got an extra year in my longevity.
“I’m glad I’m playing regularly again, but at the same time I’m very disappointed with the sort of start that I’ve had because we have lost three out of three.
“It has been a long time, so it might have taken a couple of games for me to find my feet.
"But I need to work hard and make sure I am a strong part of the team.”
