Kevin Watson believes that his time on the sidelines this season has been the catalyst for his match-winning performances.
The Colchester United midfielder played in every game last season, apart from two due to injury, and he started off the current campaign in the same vein.
However, U's manager Phil Parkinson dropped his former Reading team-mate for two matches in September - the 1-0 home win to Barnsley and the 1-1 draw at Milton Keynes Dons - but life now could not be better.
"Things have gone really well for me since I've come back in the side," said Watson after Saturday's 2-1 win at another one of his former clubs, Rotherham United.
"Last year I had just two games out because of an injury. This season, though, the manager took me out for a couple of games and it served as a bit of a kick up the backside.
"I'm really enjoying it now as a result.
"I feel I'm on top of my game and I'm loving being the captain on the field."
Watson, though, knows that with Neil Danns finding his feet again, since recovering from a groin injury, and the improving form of Kem Izzet, there is going to be hot competition for the two centre-midfield berths.
He said: "If we play 4-4-2 I don't know what is going to happen. I think, though, with the way we're all playing, whoever does get left out is going to be very unlucky."
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Published Monday, November 14, 2005
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