New dad Jordan Cranston believes his new outlook on life can help his football as he looks to face Swindon Town at the LCI Rail Stadium on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3pm).
Cranston and his partner Aaliyah recently welcomed baby boy Jaylen into the world – with the defender missing the home game with Mansfield to attend the birth.
The full back is now aiming to force his way back into the starting line-up against Swindon for a crucial Sky Bet Legaue Two encounter.
And he revealed how fatherhood had given him a new perspective on life that he hopes can rub off on the field.
“I’ve had a massive learning curve and I’ve looked at my whole persona and how I present myself,” he said.
“Fatherhood has made me think about life in a different way; I’ve got to think about another person rather than myself.
“I think it helps my football too. Last season I had my ups and downs, but I’ve changed my whole mentality.
“I came in for pre-season and worked as hard as I could and I feel I have done well.
“I’ve played nearly every game and I think that has helped my confidence and I can show my full potential.”
A big crowd is set to descend on the home of the Robins this weekend and Cranston is hoping the team can continue the recent run of form that has seen them go unbeaten in four league games.
He added: “I missed the Mansfield game, as my partner went into labour. But I came back against Forest Green to put myself in the manager’s plans for Swindon.
“The whole team is on then up. If we continue that we feel we can get a real run together.”