2008 hasn't been a great year so far for Accrington Stanley but Andrew Procter still has reason to celebrate. The stylish midfielder was voted as 2Up PFA Fans' Player of the Month for January and this is the second time he has held that accolade this season. Whilst Stanley are still looking over their shoulders in League Two following a run of just one win from nine games this year, Procter has continued to catch the eye. The 24-year-old has bagged nine goals this season and has fully adjusted to life in the Football League since Stanley romped to the Conference title in 2006. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson spoke exclusively to Procter ahead of this weekend's crunch clash against Stockport.
Q:Q: WERE YOU PLEASED TO WIN THE 2UP PFA FANS PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARD FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS SEASON?
A:I was delighted to win the award again and was equally as surprised to win it for a second time. I have been taking some stick off the lads in the changing room! They have all been saying that it must be the away fans who are voting for me as they insist I have been the away team's best player!
Q:HOW HAS THE SEASON GONE SO FAR?
A:On a personal level it has gone quite well as I have managed to get myself nine goals from midfield this season. However, we are struggling a bit at present and need to pull our socks up to make sure we are safe.
Q:HOW IS THE SQUAD COPING WITH LIFE IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE – HAS IT CHANGED MUCH SINCE WINNING THE CONFERENCE IN 2006?
A:There have been a lot of changes in the two years as lots of players have come and gone. We have got the basis of a good squad but we haven't quite clicked as yet. I'm not quite sure why that hasn't happened as yet but we haven't defended as well as a team in all areas as we should have done.
Q:YOU STILL HAVE AN EIGHT-POINT CUSHION FROM THE RELEGATION ZONE THOUGH DON'T YOU?
A:We thought we were safe but our defeat at Brentford last week allied to the fact that all the teams below us seemed to win means that we have got dragged back into it. We are in the business end of the season now and have to start picking up results.
Q:HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS WEEK'S FIXTURE WITH STOCKPORT?
A:It's a big game for us as we need to get a result. Over the past few seasons our home form has been excellent, as teams didn't like coming to our stadium and we used that to our advantage. However, we have turned into a bit of a soft touch this season at home and we need to change that as soon as possible.
Q:I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE ALREADY PLANNING FOR YOUR LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE ONLY 24?
A:I am currently on the PFA chartered physiotherapist course at Salford University. It is part-time and I am on the first year and thoroughly enjoying it. You have to plan ahead as football is only a short career and you are never going to make a huge amount of money at League Two level, so you have to think about what you are going to do in the future. Physiotherapy is something I am really keen on and this course has been excellent so far and I am grateful to the PFA for their help with funding towards the costs.
