I WAS back in the starting line-up at the weekend and it was good to get back on the scoresheet.

I was hopeful that the rest would help me and it did, I think. I felt fresh and was raring to get back among it.

We got off to a good start and I do love a headed goal. It was a good one too. It was a real leap and one I really had to use all my neck muscles for. My dad always used to encourage me to use my head and it is paying off.

For the team, it was a big win against one of the form sides in the division and we need to continue that trend heading into the FA Cup.

We have also started well against many of the division’s top teams. Selfishly, I noticed I had scored against a lot of them and hopefully they will be vital goals. Last year we raised our game against better teams. Now we need to take that consistency forward.

We always look for the clean sheets and we played some nice stuff so there were no issues on the day and the signs are really good.

Deano [Dean Brennan] has his own ideas and they can take a while to implement but everyone also lifts their game slightly as they want to impress him. People are buying into things and want to get a place in the team.

Look at Arsenal. They have got a new manager and while they are taking time to adjust they are getting points at the same time.

The intensity has gone up under Deano. Harry [Wheeler] was very tactical and there were a lot of drilled sessions, whereas Dean mainly focuses on game scenarios and working at match tempo. There is not much time for rest!

It has helped the team a lot in terms of fitness and sharpness. At the end of last year we weren’t playing much. And while matches are great for fitness it does tire you out.

People seem fitter and hungrier. When I worked under Dean at Hemel Hempstead I found myself playing some of my best football and hopefully the same will be true for others here.