Having played his whole career at one club so far, Michael Collins is excited about the new chapter in his life following his summer move from Huddersfield to Scunthorpe United.

The midfield man has settled in well at Glanford Park and has a bright outlook on the game and life in general.

"I've really enjoyed it," he explained."It's been a big change for me, I've only ever known one way of doing things at one club prior to this so it's been a big change but I'm enjoying it and looking forward to the season ahead and getting some games under my belt.

"It's a very positive mood. The first thing I noticed when I came here was that it's a very tight knit group.

"Everybody mucks in and there are no 'Big Time Charlies'.

"Everybody pulls their own weight and I've really enjoyed joining in.

"The lads have made me feel welcome. With the positive mental attitude here I'm sure that will help us over the season."

Manager Nigel Adkins was, as ever, instrumental in bringing his man to the club.

Said Collins of his dealings with the boss: "I spoke to the manager in the summer and he sold his plans for the season straight away.

"From then on it was really just a case of getting the deal wrapped up."

And now that he's here, Collins is eager to prove his worth to the side on their latest Championship odyssey.

Asked what his personal aims are over the coming months, Collins responded: "From the off I think it's about keeping things simple. It's getting into the team and whenever I'm called upon by the gaffer showing that I'm ready and giving a good account of myself.

"It's a big step up for me into the Championship, I'm unproven at this level so it's up to me to go out there and prove that I'm capable of holding my own. I'm not really looking beyond that."

With the summer departures of Matt Sparrow and Grant McCann to pastures new, there should be ample chances for Collins to make his mark in the Championship, and he is confident in his ability to do that.

He added: "They [Sparrow and McCann] were key players last season for Scunthorpe but it's important for me not to try and come in and step straight into their shoes.

"I'm a different kind of player, I've got to show what I can provide to this team. I appreciate that they were outstanding servants to this club and I've got to go in and do the same."

Collins is a man who likes to orchestrate things from the centre of the park, and is aware that in modern footballers, midfield players like himself must be prepared to do the dirty work as well as instigating attacks.

He said: "I've always been what I'd class as an attacking midfielder. I like to get beyond the strikers whenever possible and to be a threat in the opposing half.

"I'm realistic these days that you have to be comfortable going both ways, attacking and defending so I am wary of the defensive side as well." 

Collins added: "It's a long season, there are 46 games to play in the league and we have to make sure we win our fair share of games.

"If we stick together as a team and focus on the next task at hand, we'll be fine."

Collins is not too bothered about making predictions or setting targets for the club over the course of the campaign, preferring the method of taking each game one by one.

"You never really set yourself targets," he continued.

"You look at Blackpool last season and what they achieved, it's a case of everybody getting stuck in and pulling in the same direction.

"I don't really set any targets because when you do that you start sitting in little comfort zones.

"It's a case of trying to win every game and if it doesn't happen on the Saturday just gone, you have to pick yourself up and make sure you get as many points as possible in the next game."