Frazer Shaw was in a positive mood after making his Development Squad debut in the 1-0 win at home to Everton on Friday night.
Shaw has been training with Ian Hendon's side in recent weeks and with the likes of Jordan Spence and Leo Chambers increasingly involved with the first-team, the full-back is hoping to cement his place in the Development Squad. His first taste of reserve-team football was a testing affair as Everton pushed their hosts to their limits at Rush Green, but Shaw remained composed throughout and was pleased to make his mark.
"That was my first Barclays Under-21 Premier League start for the Development Squad so it was great to get the three points," he said. "It was not a very good game to pass the ball around and play good football but I was pleased to get the opportunity, which is hopefully the first of many.
"My aim this season is to make the step-up and become a regular in the Development Squad. However if I play in the youth team I will play in the youth team but the plan is to be part of this squad more and more."
The Development Squad kept their fourth-successive clean sheet and Shaw revealed that defensive play is a key part of the work the squad to under Hendon's tutorship at Chadwell Heath.
"We focus on our defensive play a lot in training, whether I am with Paul Heffer in the Under-18s or the Development Squad. I have been training with Ian Hendon's side for a few weeks now so I am used to the way they play and hopefully I will be involved more in the future."
Like many of the new generation of full-backs, Shaw is incredibly attack-minded, but he has an added sense of positional play having started as a midfielder. With three years' experience at the club already under his belt, he is enjoying his steady rise through the ranks.
"I am not like many left-backs who are more defensive, but I would like to think I am just as strong and consistent. I have come from midfield so I am a lot more attack minded.
"I have been at the club a while now and I am really enjoying it - the coaches are good and the lads are great. We have a great bunch of players at the moment and hopefully a few of them can continue to push their way into the first-team."