With the start of the new season just around the corner, Scott Fraser is aiming to hit the ground running and hit the highs that he has previously experienced during his time in League One.
A number of outstanding performances for MK Dons two seasons ago made the midfielder one of the most sought-after players in the division, leading to a move to Ipswich Town last summer. But circumstances meant that the move did not work out for the Scot, allowing Charlton to secure him in January.
A difficult start to life in the capital was to follow after catching COVID, which led to a troublesome knee injury meaning his first few months as an Addick did not go smoothly.
However, a new season brings new confidence to Fraser who is back to the peak of his fitness and ready to make an explosive start to the season when Charlton head to Accrington Stanley on the opening day.
“I feel like I’m back to my peak and I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running,” he explained.
“Let’s be blunt, last year was horrible for me! I had avoided COVID for that long and came to London and got it within a week, it was unfortunate. And then I got the knee injury which they think came along as part of the COVID issue – you couldn’t have made it up.
"But, touch wood, I’ve been doing well this pre-season, I feel fit, I feel ready and I’m just looking forward to getting started.
“I consider myself to be one of the better players in this league,” he continued.
“I think I’ve shown that over the past few seasons barring last season – I’ve had to write that off and I’m not someone that will lose confidence because of it.
“Circumstances happened last year and this year I have no doubt that, if fully fit, I can get the goals, the assists and the performances that I’ve shown previously.
“Before the problems last year, I was playing 50-odd games each season. I’m not someone that usually misses games, so that’s something I’m looking to replicate this season.”
Meanwhile, Fraser has been encouraged by the summer so far and believes that there is plenty of reason to be hopeful ahead of the new campaign following a number of changes behind the scenes at Sparrows Lane.
“It feels miles better to last season,” said the 27-year-old.
“I came in at the end of January and the start of the season was what it was – but coming back for this year, seeing the new facilities at the training ground, a new Manager, a new way of playing which is a way I really enjoy and something that I hope can bring us success, it’s made us all feel really confident ahead of the new season.”
Fraser added: “Gradually you’ve already seen from the Kilmarnock game to the Sutton game, the patterns of play, the positions the players will get into - we’ll get through the Welling and Swansea games and then we’ve got a clear week of training building up to the Accy game and then it’s all systems go from there.”
The Addicks return to The Valley on Saturday to round off their pre-season campaign against Swansea City. Click here to get your tickets.