Joe Bunney says it is “good to be home” after returning to Rochdale for a second spell.
He has signed on loan from Northampton Town until the end of the season, and is hoping to hit the ground running.
“I don’t feel like I’ve left really – it’s only been a year,” said Bunney.
“I’ve not had a lot of football in that year, so it’s good to be home!
“In my first season as a professional I was promoted here. I’ve had a lot of good memories, good cup runs, played with some good players that have gone on to do good things.
“I’ve still got a lot of friends here. I still speak to the lads from when I was here and get on with everyone. It’s a great Club and I’m happy to be back.”
The 25-year-old is thankful to Manager Keith Hill for giving him the opportunity to return to the Crown Oil Arena, and says he is ready for the fight against relegation.
“I know what the Manager expects from his players – to work hard.
“Hopefully, I can come in and I don’t have to take time to settle in and I can hit the ground running.
“I know he believes in me and in what I can do. I trust him and he trusts me. He knows I’ll work hard for him.
“I’m definitely ready for the fight. I wouldn’t have come here if I wasn’t.
“Hopefully I can bring some confidence into the lads, play well and start picking up points to move us up the table.
“I brought a lot of assists when I was here last time and a lot of attacking play, but I think I’ve improved defensively.
“Over the last year, when I have been frustrated, I’ve been working on things in training. I think I’m better defensively now than I was when I left.
“I’ll bring a lot of attacking promise, get some assists and hopefully get us up the table.”
Bunney left the Club to join Northampton Town in January 2018, a move he says felt right at the time.
“I’d been here a long time and I was grateful for everything the Club did for me whilst I was here.
“But I felt it was the time for me to move on. It was a big risk to move away, and I didn’t cope with it very well, if I’m honest.
“I’m back in the north now. I’ve been at Blackpool but injury has got in the way of playing a lot of games.
“I’m back here now to get some games under my belt and hopefully kick us up the table.”
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