Micky Cummins speaks to the Quaker matchday magazine. This article was originally printed in the Darlington v Rochdale programme on October 2nd.

Micky Cummins believes Darlington are far better equipped this season to mount a challenge for promotion. When Quakers' boss Dave Penney arrived last season in October is triggered a six game winning streak which saw Darlington move to within a point and a place of the play-offs.

Sickness, illness and a lack of form during December dented the renewed hopes of the Darlington faithful and whilst the team flirted on a few more occasions with the possibility of finishing in the top seven it was not meant to be. It marked a disappointing season for the club after so much was expected during the summer. It was an equally disappointing one for Cummins who dropped a division to join in the summer of last year.

The former Middlesbrough and Port Vale player though believes this season will be a very different story and that the squad, now radically reshaped by the manager, has far better depth and far more options to call upon over the course of the campaign should the need arise.

"It's the manager's squad this year and you look at the faces that are about the place and it is a better standard. We have been a bit unlucky with the injuries to Clark Keltie and Martin Smith but you look at the team on paper and there is competition for places in every position. There are lads who are not travelling to games this season who would have started last time around, that should tell you something," said Cummins.

"It is tough for some but the manager is getting the best out of the team in training. It is good to see and on a personal level he brings out the best in yourself and competition is a healthy thing. It means no one is resting on their laurels. I think this is one of the best squads I've been involved in. Some of the lads I have known for six or seven years from playing against them. It's a good squad and I think there is more to come from us."

Cummins can also see the likes of Gregg Blundell playing important roles as the season rolls onwards. Having scored against highly fancied Rotherham after climbing off the bench and winning a penalty kick against Accrington Stanley there is little reason to disagree with Cummins assessment of the former Chester City man.

"We have strength on the bench as well, particularly in Gregg Blundell and Ian Harty. They are chomping on the bit to play games. They have a good attitude and they are working hard. When they get their chance they'll take it. Gregg won us a penalty at Accrington Stanley and scored against Rotherham when he came off the bench. He is a good sub to bring on. He will get in a defender's face and he will run channels for you which can be a relief if you are under the cosh."

"Ian is like a fox in the box. When you play five-a-side in training you always want him in your team because he is always threatening. You have the wingers as well and we have competition with Chris Palmer and Xavier who looks very promising. We have options as well in this side if things need changing. Joachim, Wainwright and Blundell all have pace and pace is a threat in this division," said the midfielder.

Whilst Darlington's season last term may have been a disappointment it was also true for the Cummins. Having enjoyed an excellent spell at Port Vale prior to his move to the North East big things were expected of the midfielder but a groin injury caused him problems from Christmas onwards. Cummins had to wait until the League Cup game against Barnsley to make his first competitive appearance of the current season but the issues of last season appear to be over.

"I haven't felt my groin at all which has been a big relief," admitted Cummins. "It had been giving me problems since Christmas time. I was playing on, feeling it and I just wasn't getting anywhere with it. A lot of the pre-season was about catch up for me. I missed the first two weeks and I wasn't ready to play in the big games like the Leeds and Middlesbrough ones. I was playing the likes of Hordon and there is only so much you can do. Eventually you need games and it is great I've managed to get my start so quickly."

Kevin Luff