Lockyer said: "I think I am a better player now than I was this time 12 months ago. I learned so much last season and it really brought home to be that saying about there being no substitute for playing competitive games. I only targeted maybe ten or 15 games at the start of last season, so to go and make over 50 was great for me. Of course, the fact we suffered relegation put a dampener on all of that, but the aim for me now is to kick on again because if I stand still I'll get left behind. The learning has only just started and I hope to be able to say that I have pushed on again this time next year. I'm looking forward to the start of the season. I think we are starting to shape up nicely and I hope that will help us start the season on a high. We've had the sort of tough physical few weeks that you need going into the start of a new season. I think our performances in the games have been high-tempo and solid and these are the sorts of attributes we will have to show a lot of to do well in the Conference. A good start to the season is crucial for us because If we hit the ground running the supporters will be right back behind us. I enjoy playing in front of the Bristol Rovers fans. They make plenty of noise on a match day and, as a footballer, you want to play in front of a lot of people. I'm sure everyone is looking forward to it. Some of the new lads will not have experienced it, but I'm sure it will be an atmosphere they will thrive in."
He made a real effort to be a solid member of last season's squad. Unfortunately for him the senior midfielder didn't seem to want to put a shift in to mould the midfield into a cohesive force. Subsequently we played with a completely disjointed midfield unit for most of the season. Lets hope that this season the midfield players are much better organised into a joined up force which will give Lockyer the opportunity to learn an awful lot more.
