Dave Symington on the frustration of being injured
Dave Symington spoke to us about the frustration of being injured, his highlights from a good season on a personal level and his hopes for the year ahead.
"I've been injured for about three weeks now so it is starting to get frustrating," he admitted. "I haven't been able to kick a ball for a long time, and I just want to get back to playing football.
"It was even more disappointing for because I was really starting to find my feet in the first team and then I picked up the injury."
"Even though I had all of that to deal with these last few weeks I never expected my first season to be anything like this," he continued.
"It was brilliant for me to win goal of the season last weekend as well. I knew it was a good one when I scored it, but seeing the clips of all the contenders on Sunday night just shows that there's been some good ones throughout the season. The one JP [McGovern] scored against Crawley was a decent one as well, but luckily enough I won it."
"I stay behind every day after training to practice that type of free kick," he explained. "I take about 15 or 20 and usually end up getting told to come in by Greg [Abbott] or Kav [Graham Kavanagh]. It's something I want to keep trying to get better at."
As for his plans for the next campaign, he said: "I'll work as much as I need to over the summer so I can come back into pre-season as fit and strong as I can be.
"I've found out this season that if I put in the hard work I'll get the rewards, and that's exactly what I want to do."
"The highlight of my season would either be that free kick or playing against Tottenham," he told us. "To play against Kyle Walker, who is one of the best right backs in the country, was amazing. He was trying to have a laugh with me on the pitch but I just kept thinking, 'that's Kyle Walker!'
"I know the club hasn't had the best of seasons but it's been a brilliant learning curve for me. The goal against Ipswich is right up there as well as a memorable moment, along with making my debut.
"My debut will always be important but I was absolutely gutted I missed with a shot across the face of goal. That was why my goal against Ipswich was extra special, because it was the same sort of chance and I buried it."
"I've learned a lot about myself," he admitted. "Last pre-season I knew it would be a big step up for me and I really thought I'd struggle. I proved to myself that I was capable of doing it and I think it was a case that I just needed to believe in myself.
"The senior players have been a huge help. JP McGovern helped me a heck of a lot and I learned a lot from him. Greg, Kav and even Eric [Kinder] have helped me with my game over the season and that has been a great help."
"It's a clean slate for everyone now and I just want to come back ready to hit the ground running," he said.
"I know I'll need to be as fit and as strong as possible so I can be in and around the first team. My aim for next season has to be to start as many games as possible, and I want to score at least ten goals. I didn't set myself any goal targets this season, but I scored five and I just want to keep building that up.
"I feel like I'm really growing into it. It's every lad's dream to be a professional footballer and I'm lucky enough to be one. It's a dream come true, and my mam keeps making sure I'm not mucking about and that I'm keeping my head down.
"I always put 100% into training and hopefully the gaffer can see that. I want to make sure I get a chance to prove myself again next season and I will do that by putting everything into it that I can."
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