Sim City: I'm Ready For West Ham
After another 70 minutes or thereabouts for the Reserves on Tuesday, I think
I can say my comeback is almost complete. Hopefully I've proved my fitness
now and I can maybe push to get into the squad and travel with the lads to
West Ham on Saturday.
I've played three games for the Reserves now - Aston Villa, Blackpool and
Bolton - and I've had no problems. My fitness has improved by the game. The
first match, I could tell my fitness wasn't quite there but on Tuesday I
felt like I was getting up and down easily. I also managed to set up a goal
for Phil Airey and it's nice to get an assist at any level.
Being able to get forward and set people up is great, and that's what I want
to do. I feel great - in fact I'm feeling better every day - so hopefully I
can edge my way into the squad. We have Wednesday off, so I'll train again
with the lads on Thursday, and try and give Chris Hughton something to think
about!
When I played for the Reserves at Blackpool, the game was on a Wednesday so
last Saturday's game against Wigan came too soon for me, because you need
recovery time. But this time the second-string game was on a Tuesday which
is a big advantage for me.
I know it's not going to be easy to get back into the team - James Perch has
played every league game so far andRyan Taylor has played twice in the cup
and scored both times! But competition is a good thing. The way I look at
it, it was my place before I got injured and now I want it back. Last season
I was playing to keep my place, and now I'm in a different position of
trying to win my place back, but I'm hungry for it.
That said, I've really enjoyed my three appearances for the Reserves. And it
was a buzz for me when I read on the website that Peter Beardsley had said
some nice things about me. He's a Newcastle legend and somebody who I'd
never met until he became Reserve Team Coach this season, but it's been an
absolute pleasure playing for him and Steve Stone.
I've trained with them and the Reserve lads a little bit and just kept my
head down and worked hard, so it's nice to read any member of staff praising
you publicly - but particularly a legend at the club like Peter. I'm glad
I've been able to repay him by setting up a goal on Tuesday.
While I've been spending most of my time getting fit, I have had a bit of
time to relax too and I've spent most of it playing FIFA 2011, which came
out recently. I've been getting quite good at it, and I beat Leon Best in my
last game so I'll just mention that!
Leon was in the matchday programme before the Wigan game claiming to be the
best FIFA player at the club - but I think he's Leon Worst right now! He is
good, to be fair, but my Manchester United team still beat his Chelsea side
and you're only as good as your last game, aren't you?
Jose Enrique's really good too, so I'm going to wait a while before I play
him!
I also went to see Wall Street at the cinema, but to be honest I thought it
would be better than it was. It ended up dragging on a little bit - but
hopefully the same won't be said for my return to first-team action, because
I want to play as soon as possible!
