By Katie Humphris

Sam Odaudu has revealed he’s never played left-back before this season.

The Academy graduate has burst into the Dartford first team - even though it’s the first year of learning a new position.

“I’m naturally a centre-midfielder,” Odaudu said. “But then the gaffer put me to left-back and I’ve been playing well there ever since, so I don’t mind.

“This is my first proper season at left-back, so I’m trying to learn every game.

“Obviously there have been certain games where I’ll learn more because of certain positioning but it will come with games and learning on the job.

“It’s strange because it’s about getting results and then it’s hard to balance the learning and results but the gaffer has shown faith in me.”

Odaudu is clearly a quick learner, though, and believes the biggest lesson so far has been to improve his communication.

“My body positioning and just being in line with the back line and constantly communicating with them,” replied Odaudu when asked about his learning experiences.

“It’s very important for us to be as one going higher or dropping deep, so I would say the communication puts us in good stead.

“I can see myself going forward as a left-back. I’ve done quite well and there is still a lot of room to improve but I’m doing all right.

“I have to stay solid defensively and once the opportunities come going forward I can show more of what I can do.

“Tom Bonner gets you through the game, always talking, he always stays with you. He’s solid and keeps himself fit, so that’s something [to aspire to]. I’ll try and play for as long as I can.”

Odaudu still attends Academy training, and has found a role mentoring his former team-mates.

“[Former manager] Tony Burman has been an influence, especially coming through the Academy, he’s very close in and around it and he’s always with me when I’m in on a Monday or a Tuesday with the Academy coach in training,” revealed Odaudu. “He is always talking to me.

“I go into the Academy to coach, to be around the boys, to show that the first team isn’t as far as they may think, telling them that they could do it this season. If they work hard enough and show that they have the ability and right attitude then they can.”

In the opening weeks of the campaign Darts boss Alan Dowson singled the youngster out for high praise and Odaudu hopes he can repay him.

“It just shows that he has a lot of faith in me,” reflected Odaudu. “If he is saying it he obviously sees something in me, so I’ll just try and prove it with every performance.

“It’s always important to keep yourself grounded, though. It’s very easy to get ahead of yourself but I’ve got good people around me that will keep me grounded, including the boys in the changing room.

“It gives me confidence to be picked. He said at the start of the season just work hard and if I’m playing well then he wouldn’t put me out of the team so that’s what I’m trying to do every game.

“To be fair, I don’t have anything against the previous manager (Steve King) for not playing me. It’s just the way it was, but when the new manager came in he just said if I get my chance and I take it, I would stay in the team.”

Dartford are currently top of the National League South and Odaudu states that promotion is a must.

“The aim is promotion, nothing less,” he said.

“So if we get automatic promotion that’s great but if we can’t then it will have to be through the play-offs.”