It's been a very different season to what I expected, when I first was asked to come over to Maldon and Tiptree to play under Terry Spillane, expecting us to be one of the favourites to gain promotion but things didnt quite go to plan, getting off to a very slow start, after what could only have been said was a very successful pre season.

You have been with us since the start of the season, where do you think it went wrong under previous manager, Terry Spillane?

I'm a big believer in players holding some sort of responsibility over managers fates and unfortunately we had too many players not quite playing to there potential which didn't help Terry. Although, at the same time I think a different view and opinion was needed in the club and we certainly have got that now in the Alan and Anwar.

Since Alan has joined the club, what do you think has changed and what has Alan done differently?

Alan has come in with Anwar and stripped everything back to basics, making us hard to beat first and foremost and not trying to overplay when we don't need to. Also now he has installed a belief in the boys he has recruited in since his arrival, with a few of the old faces in myself, Mitch Hunter, who by the way is proving a vital part of the team since he has been given his chance, Brad Hunter and also Tom Warren. Everyone seems to buying into the way the coaching staff want us to play which is always good. Now we are starting to get a settled squad which is going to be vital towards the rest of our season.

There has been a lot in the press recently that we have had a lot of red and yellow cards, yourself included - why do you think that is?

It shows the boys are passionate about wanting to do well and getting frustrated because they want the club to be moving forward in the right direction, but looking over a few of the incidents alot of it has to be put down to ill discipline and lack of experience, hopefully we have seen the last of that.

Our latest game against Thamesmead, we won 2-0 and you returned from suspension, what did you make of the game?

It was nice to get back playing after serving my suspension. The sending off against Great Wakering really killed the game off for us the saturday before Thamesmead so it was all about staying disciplined and when we got the chance, keeping the ball which I felt we did very well in many periods of the game. We knew the longer the game went on at 0-0 with the likes of Nathan and Tunde and Johnathan going forward we knew we would get opportunities, it was all about taking them when they came and that's exactly what we did.

Next, we play local rivals Heybridge. You have played for both clubs, do you see it as a 'big derby game' or in your eyes is it just another potential three points?

I was actually captain for Heybridge in this same fixture last year at our home ground, which is abit strange. For me it's both a massive derby game and another opportunity to get 3 points. It may not be the most attractive game of football the fans will ever see but it will certainly be entertaining. Personally it's about who wants it more on the day which will decide who comes out on top at 1 o'clock that afternoon.

Obviously, our old player and coach Cliff Akurang is now in charge at Heybridge - what do you make of his appointment?

You've only got to look at their last two results to see what impact Cliff will have at Heybridge. He's a good coach and has all the experience at this level and higher. He was a big voice in the dressing room and the training ground and the lads always listened to what he had to say. It's a great opportunity for him to get his managerial career on the go and a good appointment for Heybridge and I wish him all the best at the club, apart from Boxing Day of course.

Finally, what are your targets for the rest of the of the season?

As for the rest of the season at the moment it's about securing a place in this league for next season, however come January if we can get a good run of results going you never no maybe playoffs may creep into it but that's along way away, for the minute it's all about the next game and gaining 3 points at a time.

Lastly, I would just like to thank the supporters for their support so far this season. It really is appreciated and long may it continue. I hope you have a lovely Christmas and I look forward to seeing you all on Boxing Day...#COYJ.