Anthony Tonkin's first season with Cambridge United ended in the heartbreak of Play-off Final defeat at Wembley while this season began in the treatment room, and he feels his best form is yet to come.
Gary Brabin's first signing last summer, the former Yeovil, Crewe, Stockport and Forest Green left-back quickly established himself in the side with intelligent defensive play and buccaneering runs to support the attack.
"We had a consistent season and we were always up there so it was disappointing that we couldn't quite overhaul Burton at the end," he says. "They were losing or drawing games towards the end and we narrowed the gap quite quickly by winning six in a row at one point, but although we can point to games where we dropped points, I'm sure Burton would say the same.
"And it was doubly disappointing then, after being on such a high after winning the second leg of the play-offs, to lose in the final. The fans were brilliant and although we had a good season it's still really disappointing that we couldn't get promoted and have something to show for how good a season it was.
"We had chances at Wembley but we were disappointing on the day in terms of the chances we created. We played some good football but I don't think we created enough."
He admits he felt as though he was in limbo for a week after the final, having gone from the daily routine of training and chasing promotion, to the disappointment of play-off defeat and time off: "I'm sure most of the team were the same, still thinking about it afterwards, but I had a few weekends away and had my main holiday with my girlfriend, Katy, for a couple of weeks in the Caribbean."
Anthony, who completed a degree in Business Management and Sports Sciences while with Yeovil Town, returned for pre-season feeling rested and ready for the new campaign. But just 20 minutes into the first pre-season game at Ely he was withdrawn with a groin tear that was to rule him out for the rest of pre-season and the first four games of the league campaign.
"I was very, very sore and it was frustrating to miss all of pre-season because I've missed a couple in the past and it does make a huge difference to your conditioning. So although most players don't want to do pre-season because it's quite tough, you do need it for the conditioning it provides.
"I've played a few games now but I'm not playing as well or being as consistent as I'd like yet," he adds. "Pre-season was quite hard for us with so much chopping and changing; obviously the new gaffer came in and then resigned because of issues behind the scenes, then he came back in, and it's like last summer with Gary Brabin.
"It took time to get used to his style of play and it's the same thing twelve months later - it will take time for the squad to be familiar with what's expected. Each manager has different ideas on the game and different ways of doing things so it can be unsettling until you know."
It was doubly frustrating for Anthony, having to observe the managerial changes from the treatment room and waiting for his chance to show what he can do: "I tried my hardest to get back as quickly as I could, and Greg (Reid) was really good with a constructive plan of what I needed to do and also a couple of areas I can work on to benefit me for the rest of my career."
Released back into full training, and returning to action from the bench in the fourth game against Crawley, Anthony feels the side has yet to find the consistency of last season.
"We started really well and we were in the play-off places, although we've stuttered a bit with two home defeats after only losing three at home all last season. We were keeping clean sheets, playing some good football and we were comfortable in the play-off places; we've had a blip recently with back-to-back defeats that everyone is disappointed about, but we also went eight games undefeated so we've had some highs and lows already and we've only played 15 games.
"The two defeats were a setback but when you look at the quality we've got in the squad you'll see we've got a lot of good players and we've got good togetherness," he says.
"Training has been good and we've been working on things to make us more effective as a team, and we're looking to get back to winning ways and kick on again.
"We have a good idea what the manager wants but we're still learning and adding little bits and pieces to our play here and there. The manager likes us playing football and we just need to start being more consistent. We got a good draw at Histon and if we go on a little run now it could change things completely."
Anthony feels there are similarities to beginning last season under a new manager, and he is sure the team will soon find its stride: "Last season under Gary Brabin we started well then stuttered a bit, but after Christmas we put some results together and won six on the bounce at one point and everything came together. I'm sure it's going to be the same this season, and with the players we have we'll start putting back-to-back wins together."
Martin Ling likes the full-backs to overlap, which suits Anthony's game. He started out as a youngster playing further up the pitch and says, "I like to get forward and join in, although obviously I still have to do the 'horrible' side too. I think there have been glimpses of what is expected of the team as a whole, and in the second half at Histon - even though they had a couple of chances - we played some really good stuff and they struggled to cope with us.
"That high tempo and keeping the ball is how we're going to play and I don't think we're a million miles away from being able to do it for longer in each game, and it will get to the point where we're controlling the game for longer."
Another feature of the Histon game was the interplay between Anthony and Courtney Pitt, and he agrees, "He was unlucky last season because he was injured at the start, but once we started playing together we built up a good understanding. He's a good player and I think he showed at Histon once we gave him the ball how much ability he's got.
"We see in training every day that he's got a lot of quality and I enjoy playing with Pitts."
Although aiming for a return to winning ways today, Tonks nonetheless knows that no opposition can be taken for granted.
"You know in this league that it's always going to be a hard game, irrespective of who you're playing and how they're doing. Just take Grays - they're in the relegation zone but they worked very, very hard against us last Tuesday and we're going to get that in every game. You have to work just as hard as them and then hope your quality comes through.
"We should have a good crowd in today, and it's always nice to see home fans in the South Stand," he adds. "It adds to the atmosphere and makes it more difficult for the opposition, especially if we're putting them under pressure and there are fans getting behind us from all four sides of the ground. They play a massive part."
Anthony concludes, "Although we've had a little blip, we're not that far off the play-offs and we're more than capable of going on another unbeaten run. We definitely have the ability in the squad to do that and the play-offs is the minimum we should be aiming for."
--- 20 Questions ---
What person has had the most positive influence on your career so far?
My parents - I've got two brothers who both play football and they would always drop everything whenever we had games.
Who's the best Captain you have played with?
Terry Skiverton at Yeovil - he's a very funny guy and he was good at keeping the camaraderie going in the squad.
The best player you've played with and against?
'With' would be Dean Ashton of West Ham and Madjid Bougherra at Rangers, who I played with at Crewe. 'Against' would be Louis Saha when we played Man United in the Carling Cup or Ashley Young when he was at Watford.
Out of all the players who have left United since you've been at the Club who were you saddest to see go?
I haven't been here that long but probably Daryl McMahon - he was very entertaining and I think he's missed by quite a few of the lads.
What player/team did you admire growing up and why?
Arsenal were my team because where I grew up (Cornwall) there were no teams to support so my Granddad and uncle brainwashed me!
What's the funniest terrace chant you've ever heard?
The one that makes me laugh the most is the one for Crowy, and sometimes he cheers them on and it goes on forever.
Are there any other sports at which you might have gone on to make it as a professional?
I played a few sports but when you focus on one sport it's difficult to keep up with others.
Your top three sportsmen/women of all time?
Usain Bolt, Roger Federer and Thierry Henry.
What's your favourite meal and drink?
Pizza or anything Italian, and a glass of coke.
What was the last album you bought?
Kings of Leon
What was the last film you went to see?
'Bruno'
What car do you drive?
A Porsche
Where is the furthest you have travelled to on holiday?
The Caribbean
In training, does anyone fancy themselves in a completely different position to their normal matchday role?
Given the chance, Courtney would like to play in the hole behind the front men.
Out of all the players you have played with, who has/had the worst sense of style?
No names but someone here is going for a Goth look at present.
Which Cambridge United player would you least like to be stuck in a lift with, and why?
I wouldn't mind.
Which United player past or present would you 'set up' for a 'Beadle's About' stunt, and what would it entail?
There are a few who would go mad, like Hats and Glees, but I'd like to set up Jai Reason and it would have to be something with traffic wardens.
Where is the best place on Earth, and why?
The place where they hand out the Euromillions winners' cheques.
What is the one piece of advice you would give a young player?
Enjoy it, because it's a privileged occupation and it doesn't last that long.
What's the very best thing about football?
Winning is definitely the best thing, but football is also something I've always wanted to do… and the hours aren't bad either!
Andrea Thrussell
web@cambridge-united.co.uk
This interview was also published in the programme for the match against Luton Town on Saturday 10th October 2009.
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