After returning to the side three months ago, Charlie Raglan has enjoyed being back out on the pitch, having cemented his place at the back for Oldham Athletic.
His arrival back in the starting 11 for Latics away at Woking was the start of a good run of results which saw Oldham move into the play-off places.
Now, after ten days without a game, moving back into those spots with some good victories is key for Charlie.
“Yeah it was great to get back into the team.
“For the first few games I was just finding my feet again, but it soon became the norm.
“You never take your position for granted, and I know I’ve got to perform and play well, everyone’s in the same boat in that respect.
“We’re probably blessed at centre-back for depth and quality, so certainly I’m not going to be relaxing.
“I’ve enjoyed playing and hope that continues.
Charlie’s generally partnered Liam Hogan and Shaun Hobson, in defence when Latics have played a back three.
With a host of other options in central defence too, it’s an area Charlie believes the squad is strong in.
“All the lads who’ve played centre-back, first and foremost, are good lads, which always makes it easier.
“They’ve all got good, but different qualities which they bring to the team.
“Liam and Shaun have played quite a number of games at this level, and know the league very well, so that’s a massive plus for us.
“That makes it easier for me to play my game when I know I’ve got good lads around me.
It isn’t just in defence where the 30-year-old believes Micky Mellon’s side have a host of options.
Following the January signings of Andrew Dallas and Joe Garner, there’s an abundance of attacking talent at Boundary Park.
“It’s clear that we’ve got some good options now, especially at the top end of the pitch, and in my position too.
“It’s up to the gaffer who plays and he will make decisions as he sees fit, but it’s not a bad problem to have, when you’ve got the depth we do.
“I think the lads will all be on board in terms of playing some games, getting opportunities.
You don’t have to look around the squad for too long to find lads who've already won promotion from this division, and ones above.
That experience is so helpful in big games, where young and inexperienced players from other teams may struggle, and Charlie thinks he can put some of his knowledge on the table.
“In any play-off games the experience some of the lads have would play a huge part.
“I’ve played in a couple of play-off campaigns and have reasonable success in the league above.
“Having someone like Liam who’s been promoted twice from this league is great, he can be a comfort blanket to to anyone who may be worried or looking to far ahead of themselves
“That’s what we are striving for, but at the moment, and it’s the old cliche, we’re looking to the next game and ticking them off one by one, knowing we have to get the job done.
“That’s the mindset you’ve got to have, you want to play in big games at whatever level you’re at and those games will be some of the bigger ones this season.
“It’s also not to say that we’ll take anyone lightly, those games will only be big if we keep our position as it is, and that will come down to what performances we put in, and results we get out of matches."
