It is Liam Sercombe's first season at Bristol Rovers and despite the fact that the Gas sit four points off the relegation, he is relaxed and in good spirits.

He knows that Darrell Clarke's side have not been consistent enough in the league this season but is sure that he and his team-mates will get the club away from trouble in the second half of the season.

"We've just been a bit inconsistent this season," he tells FLW. "I think we'll be fine. We'll get away from the relegation zone soon. Since the new year, we've sorted our away form out and we can kick on."

It is clear he is focused on improving the team's fortunes but he is pleased with his individual record this season and credits his team-mates for helping him settle.

"I've got, in all competitions, nine goals and seven assists. I've done well, it's a good little stat to have for a midfielder. As a team, hopefully we kick on for the next bit of the season.

"They're a great bunch of lads there and they've helped me settle in. I've brought my family up to Bristol so it's all well that way."

"I love working under [Darrell Clarke]. He's very enthusiastic. Everyone respects him but he's different from the other couple of managers I've worked under."

In what ways? "He has a laugh with you. All the lads love him. He'll come to the back of the bus and have a laugh with you. He mixes in.

"He was an assistant manager and they're pretty different anyway. All the lads respect him and there's a line you'd never cross with him but you can have a laugh and talk to him about anything.

"There was interest in him recently and before but we're delighted he's our manager. We want to move up that table for him. It's down to us, it's down to the players to get away from that.

Talk turns to last season's EFL Trophy final, where Sercombe was part of the Oxford United side that lost 2-1 to Coventry City but netted the only goal for Michael Appleton's side.

"It was a massive moment for me. No-one will ever take that away from me. All my family came, all my friends. My missus Amy and my little boy George came too."

That was Sercombe's penultimate game for Oxford as he was left out for the final part of the season for disciplinary reasons.

He explains further: "It got put out as 'disciplinary reasons'. Oxford should have explained the reasons but they never decided to.

"It could have ended a bit better. I was playing out of position, I was on the bench. That's just me, I always want to play. I put my word across.

"After the game at Wembley, I probably took it a little bit too far in interviews. That was kind of where it went really. My interviews and I tweeted a few things that I shouldn't have.

"But you live and learn. I know I shouldn't have done those things now but that's just the way it ended. I think everything happens for a reason. It's all worked out perfect for me and my family."

We move on to talk about Sercombe's first manager, Paul Tisdale of Exeter City. He is the EFL's longest-serving manager. What is the secret behind his longevity?

"Everyone knows Exeter haven't got the biggest budget but they're well-run, they're a family club. Everyone sticks together and Tis fits the club so well.

"We had a year where we finished one point outside the League One play-offs. Tis is the perfect man for that job and that club."

Before we finish, there is time for some quickfire questions about his current Rovers team-mates and more.

First up, worst dancer? "Tom Broadbent. Too big to throw shapes." Childhood hero? "Steven Gerrard. Just love the way he played and scored so many goals from midfield."

Who is the joker? "Ellis Harrison. He's the loudest anyway. Just the standard hotel pranks really, bucket of water outside the door, knock on and it goes everywhere.

"One of the lads, Dom Telford, lost his head a bit recently. He was trying to get us back but he got a bit scared after that!"

Worst dressed? He struggles to pick just one. "There's a few! Tom Nichols, just cos his clothes are so baggy. There's a few easy targets but I don't want to kill them so I'll stick with Tom."