00:00So Andy, first of all, out in Spain, how has it been so far?
00:04Yeah, it's been really good. It's always nice to get away with the group.
00:08I think you always get closer as a team when you're with each other every minute of the day, basically.
00:14So obviously, yeah, it's been really warm, but it's been really good for us physically to get our runs in this weather.
00:20It always makes it that bit tough.
00:22Bit different to Blackpool conditions? Yeah, 100%.
00:24Who are you sharing with on the trip?
00:26Me and Ollie are together, yeah, so we formed a good partnership, so yeah, I'm enjoying it so far.
00:32Are you good room partners? Are you both sort of on the same wavelength?
00:36Yeah, both in the same wavelength, yeah. You know, it's fair we get to a better at a reasonable time, up at a reasonable time.
00:42Maybe he's a bit late getting down and stuff like that, so maybe I have to say that to him.
00:48You're first in the shower then? You get sighted first and then?
00:50Mix and match, sometimes it changes, sometimes it changes.
00:53Who's in charge of a telly?
00:55We haven't even turned the telly on to be honest with you, no. We're just on Uno cards at the moment.
00:59Are we? Yeah.
01:00Who's winning?
01:01Not me, I lost. I lost three games yesterday. Three out of three I lost.
01:05One successful trip so far then?
01:07Yeah, not very good, not very good luck.
01:09Obviously for yourself, it's a big pre-season. You replayed one game last year right at the very end.
01:13So how did you certainly take the ground running this summer?
01:17Yeah, it's a big pre-season for me. I think, you know, obviously being out for so long, it was difficult, the periods, well for a lot of it, it was really tough.
01:24So, yeah, it's just time for me to kind of show my, put my stamp down and hopefully show the gaffer what I can do.
01:30But again, for me, just to be back playing games in pre-season, back with the team.
01:34Last season, obviously I was injured when we went away to Spain and that was difficult watching on and looking at the team training and being with each other every day.
01:42And obviously I was a bit to the side doing my own stuff, doing my rehab. So this year it's a lot better just being with the group, of course it is.
01:49Yeah, and hopefully I can perform well in the games and yeah, I'm enjoying it so far.
01:53Do you feel as if you're ready for that first round when it comes around and then obviously the first game of the season?
01:57Yeah, I feel in really good condition. I think the staff behind the scenes and certainly the sports science area and the physios have been great with me in the off-season.
02:06I've given me a clear plan to work with for coming back into pre-season, certainly just to keep my strength and keep building on my strength and obviously physically a lot of runs and stuff like that.
02:16So I do feel in really good condition now. And yeah, I feel like I've coped well with the runs and yeah, I'm just looking forward to now playing matches again.
02:25Are you hoping to be like a new signing, sort of prove to the gaffer what you're all about? Because obviously he's not had a proper look at you yet.
02:30Yeah, I think that's, yeah, it's an interesting one. Like I think this is, God, it's my fourth season now.
02:35Like, so I feel like I've been here long enough. Obviously the injury, I was out for a long time and I've seen managers come and go within that period.
02:42So yeah, I think for me, it's definitely put my own stamp down and hopefully the gaffer likes what he sees.
02:47But it's up to me to, yeah, really put good performances in the pre-season and hopefully that's enough.
02:52Is it a strange thing when you are a long-term absentee and the manager changes and it's almost like everyone's got that first opportunity to impress him and show up or about, but you're sort of just working slowly in the background?
03:03Yeah, it's difficult. It's a weird one because you have a new manager come in and then it's like, you know, a lot of the players on the first day, you can just show them what you're about.
03:11Whereas for me, it was a lot difficult because obviously when I came in, I was only halfway to my rehab when the gaffer came in.
03:16So, but no, he's been great for me. I think he's really helped me to my rehab and, you know, never pushed or forced me into stuff that I didn't want to do or into games or training matches.
03:25So, yeah, they've been really patient with me then. I think I really appreciate that.
03:28I think now with the off-season really came at a good time. Obviously, I came on the last game of the season.
03:32That was, that was brilliant for me. And I think the off-season came at a good time.
03:36I could kind of have a break because the rehab is relentless.
03:39I was in obviously the previous summer for basically all the summer. So, yeah, it's relentless and it was nice to get a break in the off-season and come back fresh for this pre-season.
03:49How much did the ball of minutes against Bristol Rovers help you mentally more than anything to get back on the pitch and think, well, I can do this again?
03:55Yeah, it was, it was, it was a conversation I had with the gaffer and I think it was, yeah, it was more so from a mental point of view, just for me to get back on the pitch before summer.
04:04Certainly getting back in, certainly going to the summer, knowing that I'm back, nearly being a footballer again, that was probably the hardest part for me.
04:11It's like, you don't play a match for that long. You kind of lose that kind of sense that you are a footballer, if that makes sense.
04:17But yeah, I think that conversation I had with the gaffer, he was great, as I said, and I'm really grateful to him for giving me those minutes.
04:24As I said, it really tied me up and great for the summer and obviously just pushed me on, give me that motivation to come back fighting fit for the pre-season now.
04:31So, yeah, no, I really appreciate those minutes they gave me and it was a really big moment for me.
04:36And just finally, tell me to prove yourself for that, obviously, first choice, full-back role.
04:40Yeah, I think so. Yeah, look, as I said, when I came in here, I really enjoyed my time.
04:44Obviously, the injury came, but before that, you know, I really enjoyed my football and I think it's time for me to kick on again now.
04:50You know, I'm at a stage now where I want to play matches and certainly when you miss that much, you know, nearly 18 months of your career.
04:57It's a long, it's a long time. So, yeah, for me, I'm just looking forward to playing matches again.
05:01If you want to play matches again.
05:08Since then, you know how still you play matches again.
