Collins looking forward to a more central role under returning boss Jones

Striker James Collins is looking forward to reverting to a more central berth under Nathan Jones when the season begins once more this weekend.

The attacker had been playing a wider and at times defensive role under previous manager Graeme Jones during the campaign, even dropping back into midfield on occasions, most noticeably during the 3-0 defeat at Reading back in November.

However, with one Jones now replacing another, and the new man likely to deploy his favoured diamond formation, it could see Collins feature far more in his preferred out-and-out striking position.

He said: “His way of playing the diamond is different to the old manager.

“He likes his centre forwards staying more central, which is better for whoever is playing up front and maybe not as much running as it was before.”

Collins didn’t have too many complaints about what he was asked to do under the previous boss though, continuing: “To be honest, it was a different role, it’s how Graeme wanted to play.

“I was playing and I’m the type of person that, if I’m playing, I’ll do whatever the manager at the time is telling me to do.

"To be fair, he never said to me, ‘don’t get in the box,’ it was just more a case of defensively a bit wider.

“I always tried to get in the box as much as I could but we’ve stepped up a level and we’re coming up against better sides, so we didn’t see the ball as much.

"That’s probably why it seemed like I was out wide a lot.

“It will be nicer to play more centrally, but I don’t think it was a massive issue.”

Collins clearly relished his time under Graeme Jones though, especially the extra responsibility he was afforded at times when captain Sonny Bradley was out of the side.

He said: “I enjoyed it, he was honest, he worked hard, and he was really good for me personally, him being a striker himself.

“He played me regularly and gave me the captain’s armband when Sonny wasn’t involved as well which is always an honour and I only can thank him for that too.

“It (his departure) was certainly unexpected from my point of view and the players point of view.

“It came out of the blue, but the club had their reasons for doing it and they’ve seen this break as time to reevaluate the situation and maybe thought that was best.

“But I’ve spoken to Graeme since and I really enjoyed my time with Graeme.

“I really respect him, liked him as a bloke and we parted on good terms.”

Even though Collins was pushed out wide, he has still managed 11 goals to lead the club’s scoring charts.

After spending so long in the lower leagues, he has been pleased with his first taste of life in the second tier thus far, adding: “On a personal note, I’m quite happy.

“I maybe could’ve had a few more but I’ve managed to play every game and managed to score 11 goals.

“I’m pleased about that but I’ve just really enjoyed having a crack at the Championship and hopefully I can be selected for the rest of the games and hopefully get a couple more goals.

“If we manage to score some more goals as a team it gives us a better chance of winning games."