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Time to push on

Simon Smedley
5/11/2008

COUNTY’S tough-tackling midfielder Paul Turnbull believes now is an ideal time for both him and his team-mates to really push on following an impressive start to life in League One.

Young gun Turnbull, who doesn’t turn 20 until January, is also having a fine season himself, and is now a regular feature in boss Jim Gannon’s first-team plans.

Turnbull said: "We have had a great start to the season. We’re in eighth position in the table now, so hopefully we can push on again and maybe look towards the play-off places later in the season.

"It’s about taking our good form into the next few games now, starting with Saturday’s FA Cup game at Yeovil. A good run in the Cup can give us another welcome boost."

Of his own form out on the pitch, Turnbull added: "I’m really pleased to have been involved in more or less every game lately, whether it’s starting or on the bench.

"It’s pleasing because there are a lot of good, strong midfielders already at the club at present - the likes of Gary Dicker, Dominic Blizzard and Stephen Gleeson - and for the gaffer to keep including me is good for my confidence.

"I’ve been doing well, but I think I can play better. Last Tuesday I was out wide on the right and that’s not my favourite position, but I’ll just get on with playing and always doing my best.

"I’ll play wherever the gaffer says. I’d definitely rather do that than sit on the bench.

"The football has changed since we moved into League One. In League Two I think you get more time on the ball. In League One everyone is more in your face and there’s a lot more pressure, but we’re all tougher and fitter now."

Turnbull is also delighted to have finally bagged his first couple of senior goals for County.

The first one was a cracking volley in the victory against Oldham on October 3, then there was the more dubious one which won the game late on at MK Dons.

Turnbull added: "That one was initially down as an own goal, but Mark Maguire told me last Thursday that the referee had given me the goal in his report. Obviously I’ll take it, but I did think the ball touched their defender last.

"It’s always good to score, but I think I could have scored a lot more. I’ve been out practising my shooting on the training pitch though. Hopefully more goals will come soon."