People from the outside were looking at Brentford and thinking we would have a bit of a wobble when Uwe left.
But we’ve got even stronger as a group and won five out of five games to make a massive statement over the Christmas period. We’ve beaten some of our promotion rivals, which is an added bonus.
Darren Ferguson disrespected us after we beat Peterborough recently, saying he would want to play us every week. That just acted as added motivation and gave us more fuel to the fire!
We’ve got another block of games and the gaffer has set us another target, which will remain in-house.
We’re up against teams some people think we should win. However, these teams are sometimes the toughest to play because they get men behind the ball and try to hit us on the break. They set up to defend and would be happy with a point. We need the fans to be patient and stick with us.
I’ve just discovered I’ve won the League One Player of the Month award. This is a testament to the whole team, who have made it easy for me to slot in.
On a personal note, it’s been nice to be back on the pitch again. I’ve played a bit-part role over the last year, coming off the bench and making the odd start.
The gaffer challenged me recently to get the super-sub monkey off my back. When he said it I was ill in bed, but I knew it was a big opportunity for me.
I was a bit under the weather for the Swindon game and didn’t make the best of starts when I slipped over taking the free-kick. However, thankfully the second attempt flew in!
Hopefully I have shown over the past few games that I can be more than just a sub. I feel great and am loving every minute of it. I’m 30 now but feel I’m hitting my peak.
There are no selfish players in the squad, and it just goes to show how quickly things can change in football because a month ago I wasn’t in the team.
The club have done a great bit of business to keep hold of Savs and Trotts, who both had offers elsewhere. It just goes to show how well we’re doing and I think they want to finish what they have started.
Trotts has been a revelation for us over past two months. He’s deadly in the box and his link-up play has been good too.
Savs asked me and Dougie for advice, and we both told him it would do no harm getting another 20 games under his belt with us. He will be playing in the Championship next year, hopefully with Brentford.
With no game last weekend, the gaffer gave us a few days off after the busy festive schedule. I went to Tenerife to get a bit of sun and recharge the batteries. It was also a chance to top up my tan, so it’s not out of the bottle like the fans sing about!
Saunds.
