WE’VE played 18 games on our return to the Football League now – more than a third of the season – and you have to say we’re looking right at home.

I did an interview for S4C after training yesterday and they were asking me about what the club was like when I was here in the late 1990s.

The difference between then and now is unbelievable really and it gave me a chance to reflect on how far Newport County have come.

We were a million miles away from a return to the elite 92 when I first played at Spytty Park all those years ago.

And we’ve come a long way since I returned home in the summer of 2012.

When you consider what has happened to the club since the gaffer took over – two trips to Wembley and promotion to League Two after 25 years of trying – it is a pretty special time for everyone who loves County.

I think this is the best time for the club since the days of playing Carl Zeiss Jena in the Cup Winner’s Cup back in 1981.

You only realise how good a time you’re having a few years later or when you go through bad times so we’ve got to enjoy it – the players, the fans, everybody.

Since I’ve been back at the club it’s been nothing but positive times for us and long may that continue because this is a club that is close to my heart.

Obviously we were pleased to go to the league leaders Oxford and match them on Tuesday.

If anything I think we were the better side and could have won it.

There’s no let now though with second-placed Chesterfield coming to our place tomorrow and it’s a game we know we can win.

We won’t get carried away but we’re very confident after the start we’ve had. We’ve got a great bunch of lads and we all have faith in each other and respect each other.

We believe we can go out there and beat anybody. We know that’s not always going to happen but we believe in ourselves.

It’s not arrogance, it’s belief and we’re feeling good right now.

One thing I wasn’t happy with at Oxford on Tuesday was the fact that Andy Sandell was our reserve goalkeeper with Jamie Stephens injured.

The gaffer didn’t give me a chance in training. I wanted to put the gloves on – if only to keep may hands warm.

But it’s good to have Sands back. He’s a charachter in the dressing room and with him, Max Porter, Aaron O’Connor and Byron Anthony coming back we feel we can only improve.

I have to say a word or two about Tony James as well after it was announced that he’s going to become our new strength and conditioning coach.

I’ve known Tony since we were in the Welsh semi-professional side together and I’ve never heard anyone say a bad word against him.

The way he’s conducted himself as a professional and as a person is an example to all young footballers.

I still think he has a lot to offer as a player but he’s not been in the side for one reason or another and he wants to move on to the next phase in his career and concentrate on the fitness work now.

He was our best player last season so I’m sure he’ll do a job for us if he’s needed but obviously he’s getting older now and he’s got a family to support so he’s looking to the future and this is a long-term ambition of his so good luck to him.

I’m sure it will be a bit of a difficult transition for him but I’d back him to succeed in his new role, as he has in everything he’s done.

One reason why Tony isn’t getting a game at the moment is the form of young Deji Oshilaja and it’s great news that he’s been allowed to stay with us until after Christmas.

He’s been brilliant for us and it’s great for him too because when you get thrown in at the deep end in League Two is when you really learn as a young player.

It’s all very well playing academy football for Cardiff but this level is real pressure and he’s handled it really well.

I’ve been so impressed with him and I’m convinced he’s got what it takes to have a really good career in the game, just like Tony.