Sutton United midfielder Dale Binns is finally able to influence things on the pitch after injury robbed him of a starting place since day one of the Skrill South season.
The 32-year-old said he always wants to lead by example with high-energy performances, but it has proved difficult from the touchline while he nursed a groin injury.
Binns made his return off the bench in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Bishop’s Stortford, and started in the 0-0 draw at Concord Rangers on Monday.
His own frustration has been mirrored on the pitch as United have picked up four points from a possible 12, but Binns is adamant the tide will turn in their favour.
He said: “I have to hold my hands up because I should have scored to win the Concord match, but we really competed and that is main reason we got a point.
“But we’re not got a settled team yet, and sometimes what we do in training has to change at the last minute.”
Legend: Whitehawks' Matt Lawrence, far right, in his Palace days of 2008
He added: “For example, ahead of the Eastleigh game, I was feeling good them I woke up after training on Monday and my groin felt wrong.
“Then we lost Jamie Slabber in the warm up to the game, and all of a sudden the things we’ve worked in training are out the window.”
This weekend, Sutton United host Whitehawk, who count former Crystal Palace and Millwall defender Matt Lawrence among their ranks.
The Hawks were promoted to the Skrill South as clear champions of the Ryman Division One South, but have just three points from four games so far this season.
Binns said: “As a squad, we have ability in abundance and maybe we’re a little guilty of thinking we just have to turn up to win a match.
“We can’t do that against Whitehawk, they are a good team although they have shipped goals.
“But we’re focused on our own game and this is a great chance to kick-start our season.
“Hopefully when Jamie [Slabber] gets back, the goals will start to flow for us and we can get going with a settled line-up.”
He added: “I was desperate to play against my old team Eastleigh when the injury hit. I was gutted to miss out and for a time I thought I could get through it and play.
“But then in the cold light of day, I realised it was better if I worked on getting fit, and now I am back and fully fit, I want to be out there on the pitch more and more.
“I always try to lead from the front and pump some enthusiam in the side when things are getting slow, and it has been very difficult to do that from the touchline.”
Video action from Sutton United v Bishop's Stortford SUFCTV
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