We were disappointed to only draw against Rochdale on Tuesday night but the lads in the squad have done well so far this season, as our position in the league table shows.

When the team has had a dodgy result, we’ve always bounced back, and that’s one thing that the manager has instilled in us.

We’ve got a good squad that doesn’t like to lose and we’ve fought back well to earn draws in three of our last four games after conceding the first goal.

You just need to look at centre midfield to see the competition for places. When I was in the team, it was a good run for me personally but the lads have kept the run going and we’re still unbeaten in the league in 2012.

Dale Stephens is back fit and there is Darel Russell and also Bradley Pritchard, who has come in and been excellent, while Danny Hollands has been outstanding all season. That’s what happens when you’re playing at big clubs.

It’s important not to sulk and you have just got to get on with it, knuckle down and prepare yourself for when your opportunity arises again.

I’ve won promotion before from League 1 and, from experience, you do whatever it takes – it’s as simple as that.

You have to stick together as a team because there will be ups and downs and it’s important to keep focused on what the challenge is. You might need to kick it in the corner for 90 minutes because you’ve scored a set-piece and while that’s not ideal, those three points are far better than playing unbelievably and getting beaten.

At this stage of my career, I’m proud to be involved with a club as big as Charlton but no one has given that to me – I’ve worked hard for it. If you don’t work hard, you don’t get your rewards, so I try to work to push myself to my limits. Some people might not know that I’ve got a degree in sports science and I’ve got half an eye in that field once I retire.

I’m regularly hooked up to an ice compression machine when I’m having lunch after training and I’ll always give the latest fitness gadgets a go – although they’re generally rubbish and I throw them away!

I’m always looking to learn. If you don’t want to learn or improve, then there’s no point being a footballer. It’s a motto that you could attach to our entire squad and it’s that kind of ethic that will spur us on to promotion this season.