Tom Eaves knows that Grimsby Town are not to be taken lightly when they visit MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Saturday.
The forward has called upon the team to do the basics well in the game if they are to build on the point that they gained in the 1-1 draw with Port Vale in midweek.
Eaves made his first league start of the season on Tuesday, and admitted that it will take him a few games to get back up to speed as he continues to build his match fitness.
The 34-year-old spoke about the importance of being a mentor in the dressing room and offering guidance when he can. However, he was keen to reiterate that his competitive drive remains, and that he wants to do whatever he can to help the Football Club succeed.
Saturday's test against Grimsby...
They are not to be taken lightly. Again, I feel like it could be quite a similar type of game, but it's important that we do our basics well. Not to talk about too many cliches, but after the result at Accrington, I feel that was a positive reaction against Port Vale, and if we can carry that on going into the weekend, I think that we can get a positive result. We're not too far away from it.
On his match fitness...
Match fitness-wise, I feel that if you put me on a treadmill, I could run all day; but match fitness in the sense of getting into your good habits, your little nudges and the timing of your headers, I still feel like I need a few more 90s in the tank to get me there. I was thankful to get over 80 minutes against Port Vale. I felt good, especially in the first-half. I tired slightly towards the end of the second-half, but I think it was my first start in about four or five months. I won't be too harsh on myself.
Being a mentor in the dressing room and his competitive drive...
I have to do that. That is definitely something that I have to do. Any knowledge that I can pass on to any of the other players and strikers, I will definitely do that. I wish I would have had that more growing up, which I didn't have too much because it was very much dog eat dog.
Don't get me wrong, I am competitive and want to play. I want to start every game as well. I am still at that stage. I don't feel like I want to slow down at any point. I am here to play, score and give the manager a headache. I don't want to be a bit part player, although I am happy to play however the manager wants to utilise me, but my priority will be to start and push for that.
I will definitely be helping as many of the young pros as I can.
What his relationship with the supporters means to him...
Everything, because look at the reaction that they gave me after so many years away. It was just mind-blowing. It was tough to concentrate on the game when I actually came on, to be honest. When you hear that many people chanting your name. I just hope that I can repay them ten-fold.
