I am slowly settling into life in Sysslebäck, Sweden. It has been a very smooth transition, with the accommodation very comfortable, transport is never a problem, able to get groceries often and a good group of guys always around.

On Monday was the last friendly of the midseason break for the team against another Division 3 team. It was the best performance we had put in over the last few games and we won comfortably, 3-0. I managed to get another 90min under my belt at right back, a position I may have to become familiar with. I enjoyed it and was fairly pleased with my play. It has just been great to be a part of a team again and soon to be competing and fighting together to win games. 

We returned to training on Wednesday after a day off on Tuesday and the intensity had risen a little bit. Now that everything is for real, getting back into the league games, and having players fighting for spots, its great for the training environment and the standards just lift. That was very pleasing for me, and the higher intensity will be a good test, especially to train the concentration levels in pressure situations.

Grant and I began working on Thursday. Yes, on top of football, we are working various little jobs around the area for a few reasons, to keep busy, but also to make more money to make life comfortable. It is all part of the grind. The grind is very real, and a lot of people are aware of it, but many young guys are not. Maybe they have been given things all their life and never had to work hard for something. And that is why your mentality is crucial in professional sports, especially because you are not given anything, you have to work hard for it, and you have to deserve it. Only the top 2% of footballers live the life we see on TV and social media, driving nice cars, living in big houses, wearing expensive clothes and going on lavish holidays in the islands, nope not my life. Hopefully one day, but at this stage, its still about getting by, along with taking the opportunity of playing competitive football and developing myself to prove that I can play at the next level. After our days of work, which was manual labour, we would head off to training, still with energy and grit to push ourselves to get better and contribute to the team. Now, don’t think I’ve come to Sysslebäck to work, I have come here to play football, and work is just an opportunity to continue the hard work that has got me here and make some extra money to allow me to live a little more comfortably.

My weekend began nicely on Saturday with a few conversations with very special people in my life. Firstly I had a great catch up with my parents as I shared with them what had been going on throughout the week and how life was here in Sweden. And then the second was with a good friend of mine who impacts people simply with the energy he expresses. I hadn’t spoken to him in nearly a couple years and many very important events had happened in both our lives, so it was very special to have a conversation about life, and to cherish it and live in the now, experiencing moments as they come!

Sunday rolled around and it was game day. Unfortunately my International Clearance had not come through to allow me to play, so I had to settle for watching on from the sidelines. It was very frustrating as one can imagine, and I just wanted to be out there helping the lads. It was a tough start to the game, however the lads pushed through and I felt played fairly well against a team that is near the top of the table. We lost 2-1 and a few injuries occurred, which added a bit more salt to the wound. From everyone I have spoken to, they were pleased to see an improvement in performance from the team compared to the first half of the season, so the signs are looking positive, I just need to get on the field and help contribute to the effort!