Ali Coote admits he had doubts about his Bohs future until new boss Declan Devine reached out.
The talented midfielder enjoyed a successful first year at the club in 2021 but struggled last season as the team suffered from the departure of a number of senior players.
The darkest moment came in October when, after Keith Long's departure as manager, Coote was left out of the matchday squad for a 3-1 defeat to St Pat's. He trained with the under-19s instead.
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"That's football, isn't it? Very rarely do you get a career that just goes up and up," said Coote. "I really enjoyed my first year here, it was a very disappointing second year. I'm just looking to put things right.
"I just went through a tricky patch, my head wasn't in the right place or whatever. It was just a big build up, to be honest. It wasn't just me, Liam (Burt) was dragged into it as well. But that's behind us now, we're just looking to move forward
"I still had a year on my contract so I don't think I ever came close to leaving.
"There were doubts. There was a bit of a sour end to last season, a bit of doubt there. It wasn't clear what was going to happen.
"But Deccy phoned me, caught me off guard - he said everything a player would want to hear. That put my mind at rest and I could focus on getting back to playing in Dalymount.
"That was the clarity that I needed. It was a breath of fresh air. I was able to get my focus back and I just knew the direction he wanted to take the club, and me.
"It was a clean slate, he sang my praises, he knew the player I can be for the club and we got off to a positive start. I'm looking to build on that.
"I found myself in the off-season missing football. I was quite disappointed with the way last season went, individually and collectively. I was itching to get back.
"Deccy has done a great job. It's been enjoyable."
Derek Pender was part of the interim management team that left Coote out last term and Pender is now a part of Devine's coaching staff. Devine insists that there is no conflict between the pair.
"Derek Pender loves Ali Coote, that was never an issue," said Devine. "I think the one thing that Ali needed was direction. The club needed to go the right way.
"We needed to move into full-time football and that has certainly helped him.
"You don't become a bad player in one season. That doesn't happen. Everybody and their dog knows Ali Coote is a fantastic footballer.
"I think he's showcasing that now. He has a platform of players around him that help him be the creative influence that he is."
Burt joined Shamrock Rovers in the close season. The Hoops visit Phibsboro tomorrow night - Bohs are riding high at the top of the Premier Division, the reigning champions are 10 points behind.
"I'll keep my distance from him on Friday," joked Coote, who said that James Akintunde has replaced Burt as the pre-match meal cook in the Bohs house.
Coote was only 16 when he played in a Dundee derby in 2015 - he came off the bench as United claimed a comprehensive victory. Occasions like Friday night at Dalyer don't faze him.
"It was a fair time to play in one, yeah," smiled Coote. "That was wild. I've fond memories of that.
"There's a real divide between the Bohs and Rovers fans. It's not hostile, it just brings the best out of the game and the atmosphere and the players thrive off it.
"It has never gotten out of hand since I've been here anyway. It's going to be great."
After picking up six wins from seven games, Bohs face a test of their credentials against the Hoops and, on Easter Monday, away to Derry City.
"It's a tricky 72 hours coming up but we're looking forward to it," Coote acknowledged.
"For the first time since I've been here, we're above them. So, definitely different. I don't think that changes anything for the derby, I don't think we'll be thinking about who's on top of who - it's too early for that.
"In every Dublin derby form goes out the window. The game comes alive, it's good."
Coote is encouraged about Bohs' prospects for the campaign. "The recruitment in the off-season was very good, we're strong in every position," he said.
"In previous years there was very much a settled XI. When the going got tough, with Europe and the amount of games, we struggled a bit.
"But there is real strength in depth. As long as we keep players fit, squad rotation will be key. The message is clear, just take it a game at a time. We've not even thought about Monday yet, our full focus is on Friday.
"We know it's going to be a tough game, Rovers have not had the ideal start but they're the champions for a reason and had a good result against Dundalk. They'll be looking to build on that."
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