Danny Naisbitt was among a host of players unveiled at the All Stars game last week, and the former Barnet, Cambridge City and Histon 'keeper says he can't wait for next season to begin - but admits he has two big challenges to overcome first.

Top of the list is winning the battle to become first-choice between the sticks, with Simon Brown providing the competition. But he will also be fighting to win over the fans, some of whom were less than welcoming on his first appearance at the Abbey in a U's shirt. Having replaced fans' favourite Danny Potter, the 31-year-old former Walsall trainee knows he has some big boots to fill, but he's determined to make an impact.

"To earn the respect of the fans you've got to be a good player and you've got to perform well, but you've also got to show the right attitude to go with it," he told cambridgeunited.com

"You can only put in good performances on the pitch if you put the effort in on the training ground, and I'll be doing that. You need a bit of luck along the way, but I'll certainly do the hard work and if I'm in the team I'll be trying my best to hopefully become one of the fans' favourites."

Boss Martin Ling recently stated his belief that Danny is a better player than the outgoing keeper, and it's a compliment that he appreciates. But he acknowledged that not everybody associated with the club was in agreement with the manager. A few dissenting voices were heard at the All Stars match, and he admits they didn't go unnoticed.

"I wasn't too surprised by it, people pay their money and they're entitled to their opinion. Obviously coming from where I've come from there's a bit of rivalry, but I'm a Cambridge United player now and I'll be doing my best for the club. If I do get any stick, I'll take it on the chin, it's my job to prove myself. But I'm hoping the fans will get behind me and the team and we'll start well."

With a move to Brighton on the cards on one stage, Danny admits the interest from Cambridge was too good to resist.

"The move happened quite quickly, you're never sure what's going to happen, you hear little bits and bobs but nothing was decided before the end of the season," he revealed

"I was down at Brighton and there was a possibility I was going to stay there, I got asked if I'd be interested in staying for a year down there, but it wasn't right for me. Once I knew Cambridge were interested my mind was made up."

The move represents an opportunity for him to work with a manager he professes a great deal of respect for, and to play for a club which he feels is on the brink of something special.

"Martin is a proper football man, he knows the game inside out, he's been in football all his life. He's a really good coach, and importantly he's found his feet now at this level and you can see that from the way Cambridge finished the season. He learnt on the job and he learnt very quickly, and he'll know exactly what's needed to get out of this division.

"It's a club that should be at a higher level, everything about the place tells you that: the fan base, the stadium, the training facilities, it's all geared towards a higher level. Ultimately, I wouldn't have joined if I didn't buy into what they're trying to do here, and Martin is trying to build something on and off the pitch, and you can see that in the way he's going about things. It's definitely an exciting time for the club."

Coming from a part-time club, Danny says the step up to Cambridge will provide him with all the advantages of fulltime football, and he can only benefit from it. But he knows that there will be stiff competition to claim the number one jersey, with Brown having played such a big role in United's brilliant end to the last campaign. He laughed off any suggestions of sabotage, pointing out that his shot-stopping colleague is "bigger than me", but he says the competition for places is healthy.

"I know what I'm up against, Simon finished the season so well and even in the All Stars game he pulled of a couple of great saves. I've got to try and hit the ground running in pre-season, but the level of competition is beneficial for the club, there's no chance of getting complacent because if you do, you'll be out of the side."

But Danny says the prospect of playing in front of the passionate Abbey faithful is all the incentive he needs to force his way into the starting 11 and having witnessed the Amber Nation in full voice at both the Glassworld and the Abbey, he admits their vocal support will play a key part next season.

"As a footballer you want to play at the biggest club you can, in front of as many fans as you can, and if those fans are behind you it gives you a real boost," he acknowledged.

"It's like having an extra man on the pitch sometimes, the more fans you have in the stadium the bigger impact it has when they're all singing and chanting and getting behind the team."

Most United fans will only have seen him in action a handful of times, so Danny modestly tried to sell himself to those who are wondering what he's all about.

"My distribution is a strong point, and I think that's an important part of a goalkeeper's game, but I like to think I'm a leader on the pitch too, if something needs to be said, I'll say it " he confessed.

"I'll be encouraging the younger lads too, I've been in the game a long time and I think you need 11 leaders on the pitch, not just one captain being vocal. I think I've played some of my best football in the last couple of years, I've settled down and knocked the silly mistakes out of my game, which is vital, and I actually feel like I can step up another level.

"Coming here and seeing the facilities, and knowing I'll be getting full time training and working with Simon, it's going to be massively advantageous to my game."

He comes in tandem with another player from just down the road, Danny Wright, and though he admits he's glad to have a familiar face in the dressing room, he said the whole squad had made him feel welcome.

"I know a few of the lads just from playing against them, I've had some banter with Cardy and Robbie Willmott at the game last week, but they're a good bunch of lads. Wrighty is obviously someone I know well, but I'm sure all the signings will settle in well."

And with more signings to come, Danny said the fans had plenty of reason to be excited.

"Martin has identified the players he wants and he knows a good player when he sees one, I'm sure he'll bring in the players he needs. Obviously he's waiting for a few decisions from people, but whatever they decide, I think the fans have got plenty to look forward to, and I can't wait for the new season to begin."

Interview by Russell Greaves

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