Newcastle defender Mike Williamson never thought about leaving St James' Park this summer despite not being a first team regular. "It is tough when you are not playing because as a professional that is all you want to do.
"So it was a matter of biding my time and remaining positive.
"The manager made it clear on the first day of pre-season there would be competition for places, and anybody who wanted to leave had the opportunity.
"I always felt if I worked hard then I would be ready when I had my opportunity and I always believed that opportunity would arise.
"It came in difficult circumstances at Everton, but we have done well collectively ever since.
"Every time I have the opportunity to play, I pride myself on clean sheets and defending first.
"It is no-nonsense stuff from me.
"I will always give 100 per cent and do everything I can to stop the opposition and then give the ball to the creative players and let them do their jobs.
"It is a statistic I am very proud of and one I hope the manager is aware of."
