GIANT goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin believes competition is healthy and aims to challenge current number one Scott Loach all the way.
The former Ireland Under-21 international joined the pool of hungry, young Hornets in the summer. He then achieved his first clean sheet on his competitive debut in the 3-0 Carling Cup first round win at Aldershot.
Of course, that meant he was itching for more and he tasted first-team football once more on Tuesday evening as the 'Orns clashed with Notts County in the Carling Cup.
Thinking back to his debut, the shot-stopper said: "I was looking forward to getting my competitive debut after playing against Stevenage and settling in very well.
"I was happy with my performance. Alec (Chamberlain) and I analysed bits of the game, taking the positives out and looking at my performance.
"Going to Aldershot, it's a potential banana skin down there. Going there and applying ourselves as we did was really good."
He continued: "Winning 3-0 was the main thing, a clean sheet on my debut was great and the clean sheet at Stevenage was great as well. I'm setting the standard now for me to work on and step on at the Club."
Unfortunately the 23-year-old was unable to keep that run going as County overturned a young Watford side in midweek as the Hornets crashed out of the Carling Cup.
Gilmartin has fitted well into the goalkeepers' union in WD18 and believes the fight for the number one jersey is good for all concerned.
He added: "Alec sees that and Scott sees that, so it's good pressure and the challenge is always healthy and we all know that.
"Me and Scott are pushing each other and Alec is pushing us too, which is great - just what we want."
The Dublin-born stopper is relishing the chance to keep impressing for the Golden Boys and thinks the staff and, in particular, the Goalkeeper Coach will help him progress.
"When you've got so many people around to help you, you can't fail to improve. All the coaches we have here are a massive, massive factor.
"Alec being here five days a week is brilliant. Not only working on the playing field but we have debriefs and analyse videos of the game. It's 100 per cent to do with goalkeeping with Alec and that's great."
The 6ft 4ins stopper joined the Club this summer from League 1 outfit Walsall on a two-year contract. He hasn't been with the 'Orns long but feels welcomed and is focused on improving in training.
"We don't come in here and work until 2 or 3 o'clock and that's it. When you go home you're resting and looking forward to the next day's training.
"You're dying to train but when you're not training you're preparing again for the next day. I love it to bits, it's the best job in the world and I've always wanted to do it.
"Being here and progressing in my career, which I love, is a great thing as well."
Article by Leigham Stone.
