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Things couldn’t have gone much better for Nathan Baxter since joining Wanderers.
The goalkeeper has been an ever-present figure in League One since the start of the campaign, making some crucial saves along the way.
“When I first came in, I was confident that I would be able to perform in this division because I did it when I was younger,” he reflected.
“Obviously, I was very public in being confident in my abilities in the division above and how it was my fitness record, if you like, that sort of set me back.
“I have just loved being here, it has been a great opportunity for me to play regular games. It is a great environment here, it suits me massively.
“I have spoken many times about how good the gaffer and Gillo (Matt Gilks) have been with me. The style of play, I didn’t expect it to help and develop me as much as it has done.
“I really feel like each day I am learning something and getting better. I have loved it and the fans have been great with me. Off the pitch, I am very settled living up here.”
The conditions have made life rather difficult for shot stoppers in recent weeks, but Baxter has certainly risen to the challenge.
“Cheltenham was very difficult with the swirling wind and the fact we had no idea where it was going,” he continued.
“I think you could see all over the pitch that affected people. Fleetwood was notably another game where that was a huge factor.
“It is not ideal when you play a team like Cheltenham – with the style they play – and you do it in a storm, on a pitch that has had a lot of bad weather.
“We play a style which the top teams in the Premier League sometimes struggle with, and they do it on unbelievable pitches. We don’t have that luxury so we have to adapt and sometimes play to the conditions.
“But I think all of us have been in the EFL for long enough and played in those sorts of games many times. We would love to be playing on perfect pitches with no wind every week because it does make a difference.
“I have been there myself where sometimes sitting in the stand, you don’t appreciate it. But it is another challenge we have to deal with – no different to injuries or the schedule.”
Carlisle is another place where the weather is often a factor, particular at this time of year, but the 25-year-old is relishing the task ahead.
“I played there when I was 18 or 19 for Yeovil in League Two,” he recalled. “The environment is going to be windswept and a typical away day in the middle of winter.
“We know what we are expecting, they obviously beat us at home which was a huge disappointment.
“We want to right that wrong but at the end of the day – whether it is against a team in the top four or at the bottom – three points is still three points. We just want to get the result.
“If we play free-flowing football, which we have done many times this season, it is always a bonus because we want to entertain the fans. But ultimately, we want to get the result.”
There have been a couple of changes to the backline of late, with Gethin Jones away on international duty with Australia and Will Forrester out of action due to injury.
Baxter explained: “There are areas of the game – through balls, playing out from the back – where you are making decisions with individuals so all players like continuity, of course.
“But one of the strengths of our squad is that, no matter who plays, everyone is experienced at the level and knows exactly what they are doing.
“I think we have been really good as a team, defensively, and we want to keep that going.”
Wanderers are well placed in their promotion push, but the goalkeeper knows there is still plenty of football to be played before the end of the season.
“Obviously we are only halfway through the season and the goal has been very clear from all of us – not just myself – that we need to get up,” he said.
“We have done a good job so far but we don’t want to pat ourselves on the back because we have got a long way to go.”
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