Chris Forino is relishing the run-in as he looks to make his mark at Wanderers, writes Pete Oliver.
The power-house defender has suffered an injury-hit first season with the Whites after signing from Wycombe Wanderers last season.
But after recovering from a badly-torn thigh muscle sustained in Wanderers’ Carabao Cup exit at Arsenal – the local team he supported as a boy – Forino is back and ready to tackle the challenge ahead.
“It was an interesting 24-48 hours,” admitted Forino of his return to north London and the loss to the Gunners in late September. “But that is why we do the job. We chase the highs and we've got to ride the lows and hopefully find somewhere in the middle as much as possible.
“There was lots of learning and lots of chance for growth during that injury. I've come back in really good shape, probably the best that I've been in physically, so we'll take that and look forward.
“Even when I was injured, I felt like I didn't miss out. I wasn't sidelined and I didn't feel ostracised in the group, which is important because being injured can be lonely at times, especially being relatively new. You want to be out there on the pitch, but that wasn't the case.
“I’m excited for these last nine games to really put my mark on the season as much as possible and there's still more to come from me, personally, and this team.”
After a number of substitute appearances, Forino started his first League One game in almost six months when he helped Steven Schumacher’s side overcome champions-elect Birmingham City in early March.
He was then in the line-up beaten for the second game in a row against Stockport County ahead of the international break, but the 24-year-old believes seventh-placed Wanderers are still well placed to step up their play-off push as they launch their final nine games at local rivals Blackpool on Saturday.
“It's exciting for us, for the fans, for everyone really,” Forino told Wanderers TV. “Everyone loves a good run-in, so we go into it with confidence look forward to it.
“Maybe the break came at a good time. I still feel like - I don't know if I sound deluded - that we are on a good run, that the boys are confident.
“Before those two losses we have been doing well and even that Stockport game, I think we played well as a team. I think, on a number of days, we probably don't come away with no points.
“Every game is an opportunity to start a new run once you've lost one and hopefully kick-start another one. Nine games left, pick up as many points as possible and let's see where we land.
“There's not much to be fearful of or nervous about. It's exciting - the opportunity to arrive late into that position with confidence going into the play-offs. I don't see why that shouldn't excite everyone. The boys, again, there's no panic, there's no fear of loss, it's excitement of what it's to be.”
Watch the full interview with Chris on Wanderers TV