Jim McNulty admits it was nice to be named amongst the nominees for the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month for August.
His inclusion in the shortlist followed an excellent month for Dale, with the side keeping four clean sheets in their five league fixtures.
And while it was McNulty who received the nomination, the modest defender says it is recognition for the team as a whole.
“It’s nice to get the individual and team recognition, but more so the team recognition. Why they chose me out of any one of four defenders, the goalkeeper and the six players in front of us, who have also defended so well, because it could have been anybody.
“It was nice that they chose my name and it was nice to see it on Sky Sports News that you’re shortlisted but no more than that – I’m more happy that the team has started so well. The structure has been really good thus far, but we can’t get carried away.”
Dale have conceded just two goals so far this season, something which pleases McNulty, who says the side are defending well as a team.
“I’m still quite hurt by the two goals that we conceded against Walsall because we’re always striving for clean sheets. We’ve defended really well and we’ve also had some luck along the way, I won’t lie, but it’s very pleasing.
“My main aim is to try and stop goals going in and after that I try my best at everything else, that’s the same as the other defenders and the goalkeeper.
“The lads playing in front of us are really helping the team to achieve clean sheets thus far, so we’ve just got to keep doing what we’re doing.”
Would McNulty like to make an impact at the other end of the pitch?
“I’ve never been a goal scoring centre half, if I’m honest,” he laughed.
“It is something that I’d like to add to my game and I’d love to nick a couple, but I’d 100-percent take none if it meant we had the best defensive record in the league all season.”
The full interview is on Dale PlayerHD.