ADAM Rooney accepts that the strength of the Town squad is the reason why he has not been playing regularly of late but insists that he is waiting to grab his opportunity with both hands when it arrives.
Since his loan move from Birmingham City, the Irishman has 14 appearances to his name in a red shirt but has not played since coming on against Brentford in November.
“It’s difficult when you’re not involved as much as you’d like to be,” he told the official website. “It’s difficult for everyone because everyone wants to be playing but it’s part of being in what is a very good squad with some very good players.
“We’re all pushing each other and I think that’s why we’ve had quite a good season so far. Obviously we could have picked up a few more points along the way but because I think we’ve got such a good squad it’ll keep us going throughout the season.
“Lads that have not been involved in the past have come in and they’ve got a good run of games and the ones that are in the team now have got to keep on their game because they can’t afford to drop off.
“Competition is vital especially round this time of year when there are so many games. Everyone is pushing each other in training and when we get on the pitch so that we can stay up there.”
League One leaders Tranmere Rovers are in Town on Friday afternoon and the striker says that it is important to carry a winning mentality into the fixture.
“Oldham is a tough place to go but we put a professional performance in and got the three points,” he said. “That was the most important thing after a couple of disappointing results but all the lads are on a high and we’ve been working again in training and just making sure that we take that same attitude into the next game.”
With Christmas just around the corner, Rooney revealed that he was fully prepared for the testing festive period.
“It will be a quiet one just spending time with family and friends,” he said. “I don’t think Christmas is that difficult because as a footballer you have a good life: you’re quite privileged to play and train every day so come the Christmas period when you have so many games that’s one of the busiest parts of the season so I don’t think it’s a shock.
“Maybe it’s more difficult for the foreign lads to come in having not experienced it before but for anyone that’s been playing since they were 16 or 17 they’ve adapted and they’re used to it so you just meet it head on.”
