IT was fantastic to hear Gary Cahill saying he is enjoying life at the Reebok under Owen Coyle.

But that doesn’t surprise me one jot because I have first-hand experience of how infectious the gaffer can be.

In our playing days I used to sit next to him in the dressing room and he used to fill me with so much confidence.

He would turn to me and tell me I was the best passer of a football in the league and that was enough to make me feel good about myself going into the game.

I am sure he adopts a similar policy as a manager and Gary, like the rest of the team, could not be playing for a better man.

There is a real feelgood factor sweeping through the club – and it is transmitting itself through to the supporters.

They were fantastic at Wigan on Saturday. It was a pleasure and an honour to be a part of the travelling thousands.

They were the 12th man at the DW Stadium and really got behind the lads. Even when Wigan were having a spell of pressure, they still continued to shout and sing.

Players like Cahill and Stuart Holden said at last week’s supporters meeting that it really lifts them when they go forward for a corner and the supporters are chanting their name.

I was in the pub with some of the fans before the game and they were telling me how they still remember the goal I scored against Wigan quite a few years ago.

It goes down as one of best of my career and it’s great that people remember it.

As for Saturday’s match, I think the lads did well to fight back and get a deserved point.

When I saw Wigan’s goal on Match of the Day, it was no surprise that Owen Coyle was furious about it because it was clearly two-yards offside.

It is frustrating when things like that go against you and, after seeing Kevin Davies being battered by their two centre-halves and not getting any protection, it does make me think we are not getting the rub of the green at the moment.

But the lads stuck to their task well and deserved to get a draw.

It was, however, a shame to see James McCarthy stretchered off with a serious looking injury.

It was just unfortunate and there was no malice on Fabrice Muamba’s part. Fab is a really honest player and he was as distraught as anybody when his opponent got taken off.

I am sure I am joined by everyone at the club when I wish James a full and speedy recovery.