Joe Thompson insists that he is happy about his switch from Rochdale to Tranmere in the summer.
The winger who is a product of Rochdale Apprenticeship programme, was named the League Two Apprentice of the Year in 2007 at The Football League Awards.
However, after making over 150 appearances for his hometown Club the 23-year-old made the move to Prenton Park in August and believes that the switch is helping him on and off the pitch.
“I found it harder than I thought because I’d been at Rochdale for so long and it was a comfort zone,” the midfielder told BBC Radio Merseyside.
“I’ve grown as a man and I feel like I’ve learned a lot about myself off the pitch, as well as on the pitch.”
“It was good for me to get out of it and learn a bit more about myself.”
Thompson continued: “I’ve settled in really well now and it helps if you’re winning week in, week out.
“Also, my girlfriend was heavily pregnant [at the time of the move] and we’ve just had a baby. She’s four weeks old now.”
“I’ve grown as a man and I feel like I’ve learned a lot about myself off the pitch, as well as on the pitch.”
Thompson experienced the disappointment of relegation last season but his start to life at Prenton Park was been a complete contrast with Rovers topping League One and still unbeaten.
He scored the winner away at promotion rivals Notts County at the weekend after coming on as an 18th-minute replacement for the injured Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and believes Rovers early season form is no fluke.
“A lot of the lads here are young, but they’ve got a mature mentality. They want to work hard, be in the gym and do the injury prevention work.”
“When you’ve got people like Andy Robinson and Ian Goodison, and you see their experience, it just works.”
