Dad used to reminisce about the good old days when Everton won the old first division championship and the FA Cup back in the 1970s and 80s but they weren't quite so good when I started supporting them.
The more you're competing, the higher the level is in training. That means the quality is going to be higher on a Saturday, Wednesday or whenever we're playing.
People said when I was a young lad 'Oh he's got good feet.' He's good in small spaces and that's something I have always had since a young age.
I feel now that a tackle or an interception high up the pitch is as nice a feeling as creating a goal for someone else.
If I was a manager, I wouldn't want a 'nearly man' in my team. Not a chance.
Whatever my contract situation is, that will be going on in the background.
We want to progress and ultimately win something. You can't do that with 11, 12 or 13 players, you need a squad.
Sometimes as a No. 8 you are making decoy runs, or you are offering and you don't get the ball.
I know my ability and I know what I can give.
Sometimes when you are a professional footballer, you have to deal with tough decisions.
When someone else is injured, they are the ones who motivate you. It's not just for yourself - it's for them.
We don't ever want to be complacent, and it's good to look back and see places you can improve. That's a good mentality to have.
I just want to contribute as much as possible.
At times you've got to be patient, and that's it. I just take it; another good training week, train hard and train strong, look to perform there and hopefully start at the weekend.
It's obviously nice to contribute.
Football's a funny game.
It's about just staying fit, staying strong and staying ready.
Being as fit as I can, and working as hard as I can, is at the forefront of my mind. The rest will take care of itself.
At times, my insecurities were real. How am I going to get back into the team? I felt like I was climbing a ladder that was never-ending at times.
Of course, you think ahead and like to plan to a degree.
