KITTRICK'S COMMENT: Competition is helping to take us forward

We have made the squad stronger with the addition of six new faces and defensively we look a much tighter unit.Making things solid at the back was the most important thing for me because if you don’t concede you don’t lose the game.We want to get up that table and away from any relegation dog-fight, and keeping clean-sheets is the perfect way to start that.It hasn’t been easy bringing these new lads in because at this time of year you are usually limited to loanees or young lads.We have brought in a Carles Lleches-Parra and Redmond Lee who were both recommended to me, but we have added experience as well.Shane Killock did well on Tuesday night and you saw the pace and confidence that Dave Merris brings.Competition across the pitch is so important because it will push us on as a squad.You can see that with Ryan Blott, because the penny seems to have dropped with him already.He has dug in, lost weight and he is no longer living on his reputation.You have to be a semi-professional footballer away from the club, as well as when you are on the pitch and in training.Sometimes you have to sacrifice the odd pint to help keep your mind alert because it really does matter.Ryan’s fellow striker Tom Corner is possibly trying too hard to prove to the fans and myself that he is a good player.We have discussed the fact that he just needs to relax because we both know that he can do it.

Thanks for reading,

Steve