“One of our main focuses at the start of this pre-season was to change the environment, to change the atmosphere, and that's improved.
“The manager helps us all every day, and I think he has done an incredible job. He’s been brilliant with me from the first day he arrived, and the main thing I think I've improved a lot is my leadership off the pitch.
“I think he and his staff have really helped me push that as a player, and we have daily meetings to go through different things to improve everyone, and I think those things, for me as a centre-back, are really, really important.
“They knew exactly what I needed to get better at, and it’s something I really wanted to focus on, so I think you can only say positive things.
“I’m at the age now where I've probably played more games in the Premier League than some of the other players in the squad, so I think it's normal for someone to have a bit more leadership and step up.
“We lost a lot of the big characters, a lot of experienced players in the summer, so it was time for the players that are here to take that step up, and I think I'm one of them where I needed to step up with the leadership, and this is something we all need to improve and keep getting better at.”
Tuesday's tie will be broadcast live in the UK on SkySports+, kicking off at 7.30pm BST. You can follow the action via our live blog on whufc.com and our app, and across our social media channels. We will also have a match report, highlights and exclusive reaction for you after the final whistle on our website and social media.