New signing Ryan Williams returned to the U’s yesterday after signing a two-year deal for a second spell with the club.
The 27-year-old Australian international was previously with the club on a youth loan from Fulham back in 2013 but told iFollow that he is a very different player these days:
“I was pretty raw last time but people like Dave Kitson and Dave Hunt were here and really helped me” he said. ”I learned a lot and am still in touch with them both. It was a big learning curve here because it was my first season in senior football and seeing how much winning and losing meant to the players was really important.
“As an Academy player if you lost 6-0 but played well the coaches didn’t really mind but suddenly not just the coaches minded but the players - things like needing a win bonus to go and pay the rent. Real life. So it was a true eye-opener. I enjoyed it but is also made me want to drive myself more and be better because I saw what it meant to people.
“That was eight or nine years ago, now I am the one with a young family to support and I have come here to win matches, get promoted and do my best to make my family proud of me
“I think it is an ambitious move on my part. Our values align. I am ambitious myself and hard-working and that matches the Manager and this club. I have never enjoyed playing against Oxford since Karl came here! You always know you are in for a really tough game. But that’s great when you are playing with that team.
“I know Sam Winnall from Barnsley, Longy from my last time here, Anthony Forde from our time at Rotherham. They all say great things about the set up here. I am 100% fit and can’t wait to get started again.
“I think fans will see the best version of me. It’s important to string seasons together. Last season was probably my best in terms of consistency, something I maybe lacked before, and I want to back that up. Over the last four seasons I feel I have been getting better each time. They say your peak is from 27 to 30 so I believe my best years are still to come.
“I’m a competitor and will always give my all, always look to improve, and that’s why I came here because I think the Manager and this club can improve me as a player. And if that happens then it feeds back and helps the team succeed which is everyone here’s main goal.”
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