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Clare is playing his part

28/ 2/2007

ROB Clare is so proud to be part of what he believes is the best team to grace Edgeley Park in many years.

It's certainly the best team Clare has featured in, and he first pulled on a Hatters shirt in the Championship season of 2000/01.

"I'd say this is the best team I've played in, on the basis that everyone is working so well together," said the former England under-20 international defender.

"Everyone's got so much confidence and results are going for us. The manager doesn't leave anything to chance, so we prepare well for games, and as a team we are playing the best football I've experienced for a long time.

"It's nice for me to be in this team that's doing so well, and in a team that's going places.

"For far too long we've been on a bit of a downward spiral, but fingers crossed we've turned a corner now and we can only go one way from here.

"We're on a great run. When we were in the Championship and in subsequent seasons we've had difficult times, but credit to Jim Gannon, since he came in we've done nothing but improve and win games. Let's hope it continues until the end of the season.

"Maybe the 4-2 defeat at Shrewsbury was a turning point, it was a difficult loss down there.

"The conditions were bad, it was a poor performance, and that was a bit of an eye-opener for us. We knew what was needed to beat a team like them, and ever since then we've gone on this fantastic run. The manager has offered his thoughts on things, and now given us the confidence to go on and win games.

"We've got a good, healthy squad of players, so fingers crossed everything continues to be good for us."

Meanwhile Clare, who celebrates his 24th birthday today [Wed], is determined to stay focused on extending County's magnificent run, although thoughts will start to turn towards July 1 soon.

He added: "My contract is up in the summer, and I'll be looking to speak to the gaffer within the next month or so about it. I'm just concentrating on getting promotion for the time being though."