CHRIS Todd returns to Torquay tomorrow admitting he has been “frustrated” with his changing role at Eastleigh this season.

The 33-year-old centre half, who skippered Torquay to promotion from the Conference Premier in 2009, has started only three league fixtures for the Spitfires this term.

The last was at Barnet at the start of October, when he was replaced at half-time, and he has made a further five appearances from the bench. For a man who in the latter stages of last season declared himself to be “probably enjoying my football more than ever”, it is a situation that has required some mental adjustment.

“It has been frustrating,” said Todd. “You go from a full season of playing week-in-week-out, and then all of a sudden that is taken away from you. “The gaffer (Richard Hill) did say when we spoke in the summer that I wasn’t going to start every week. “It would be a case of being a bit-part player, coming in here and there and doing your bit for the squad.

“I’m more of a team player now, rather than someone who’s doing his thing in each game.

“I’ve got to do other things to help the team. It’s different, but I’ve accepted it now. Don’t get me wrong, I love playing. “If my chance comes, I’m ready and the gaffer knows that. He knows he can rely on me.’ Of late, one of Todd’s regular assignments has required him to come on with a game in its dying embers, his job to bolster the team’s defensive ranks in order to see out victory. Todd agrees that particular task leaves him on something of a hiding to nothing – retain the status quo and nobody remembers his involvement, let slip a lead and his introduction might be pinpointed as the reason for it all going wrong.

“I’m warming up at times and there’s only five or ten minutes to go, and I can see that the gaffer is thinking “I’ll get him on”. “You’re going on to stop them scoring and to not make a mistake in those final few minutes. “But that’s why he has got me – because I’ve got experience and I can do that. “I can get on there and calm things down; help the lads with my voice and with my heading, or put my body on the line for the last couple of minutes.”

Todd has been handed extra coaching responsibilities this season that have compelled him to become far more absorbed by events on the pitch than would ever have previously been the case.

“Trust me, players, when they’re on the bench don’t take much notice. I certainly didn’t,” he said. “You sit there and all you want to do is get on the pitch. You’re not thinking about who you’re going to be playing against – you just want to get on that pitch and express yourself.

“I look at it in a completely different way now.

“I’m sitting there, writing my notes, listening to what the gaffer’s got to say.

“It’s a totally different outlook. I’m looking for shape, who is dangerous, just trying to help the gaffer along. “It’s surprising how many people watch football, and just watch the ball. “Someone scores and they think “Great it’s a goal, he scored, brilliant, what a player”. “But they actually miss the part where a full-back pulls in behind somebody.

“It is a totally different outlook for me now. You don’t realise that until you sit back and take an overall view.”