We can get out of trouble

Having had a couple of good run-outs as a substitute, I was all geared up for returning to action against table-toppers Wigan when the manager pulled me to one side and said that I would not be in the squad for the match.

With such an important fixture, he said he only wanted to include players who were 100 per cent fit. Naturally, it was very disappointing because I felt I was getting stronger and stronger, but you have to respect the gaffer´s decision and as the lads came off the pitch with all three points, it´s impossible to challenge the decision. Putting my personal plight to one side, I was absolutely delighted for everybody connected with the club because beating the top side has given everybody a boost when we need it most.

Just as I was looking forward to returning to the squad for the ´six pointer´ with Rotherham, I was struck down with a heavy bout of flu and ended up missing training. They say it never rains but it pours and to play the bottom side was a game I really wanted to be a part of. It was important that we built on the Wigan result and that is exactly what happened. It was a hard-fought match but we deserved another three points, yet the only disappointment was the fact that all the teams around us also won.

Both ourselves and Nottingham Forest have certainly hit a bit of form of late and Gary Megson´s side do look like they´ve turned the corner. He has changed the system there by all accounts and in Kris Commons they have a bit of a star in the making. I wouldn´t bet against them getting out of trouble and the same can be said of ourselves. With both teams winning, it is dragging the likes of Cardiff and Leicester back into trouble, and that can only be a good thing for us.

Next up is Leeds at Elland Road. I won´t be travelling with the side as I try to shake this flu off and it´s a game I would have dearly loved to play in. At the start of the season, you look at all the big grounds you might play at, and Elland Road is the biggest of them all.

Still, the lads go with my best wishes and I´m sure we can make it a hat-trick of wins. Leeds are still trying to find their consistency, having assembled a team from scratch, and we have to take advantage. We beat them earlier in the season at our place, so let´s go and make it a double!