" It was two weeks since I left Bolton before I got anything signed up, and now I have got a family and things so it was a main priority of mine. I joined Liverpool when I was nine years old and left when I was 17 or 18 so I had a good few years there. We won the FA Youth Cup twice so it was important in my career at that time.
" There were a couple there with me, you have got the likes of Jay Spearing and Stephen Darby who have played a few games now for the first team so that is good to see that they are doing well for themselves. Ravo (David Raven) is a good lad, he was three years older than me but I have trained with him a few times.
" I didn't really settle at Bolton I wouldn't say. Sammy Lee took me there with high ambitions and then he got sacked so once (Gary) Megson came in it all changed around. So really I was pushed out of the way. I think that Megson wanted players to be 6'2 onwards and I am not the tallest of people so I didn't fit his bill. I think that my main position is centre midfield because I like to create things a lot and I like to go forward, but I can play anywhere, anywhere that I am asked to play is fine with me.
" Youth team lads at big clubs have got the hardest chance of making it I would say. (Steven) Gerrard and (Jamie) Carragher came through when there weren't many foreign players in, but the more they bring in now the less the younger players are going to have any chance. It is like Manchester City now, I bet that the young players there are pulling their hair out wishing that they hadn't signed.
" This is the first time that I have signed with a club and I have really felt wanted. Security is the main thing, you can settle down, relax and go and play your football. My first impressions have been very good, I wasn't expecting them to be as high as they are. When I have been there though they are a great footballing team, they like to keep it on the floor so I am really looking forward to working with the lads.
" Hopefully I have been knocking on the first team door since I arrived here, but being realistic I am saying that in my opinion in the next couple of games to be pushing to get in there. I wasn't part of the squad that went over to Newcastle, I had played the night before against Morecambe at Brunton Park. None of the lads have spoken about Newcastle's bust-up, none of them know what went on. "