SHAUN Pearson has promised to 'clean up his act' after admitting it cost Grimsby Town last season.
The big centre-half returned to the Mariners' starting line-up for Saturday's home draw with Dover Athletic.
However, that was the 25-year-old's first start of the season after he collected 15 bookings last campaign – and duly received a three-match ban.
That ruled the former Boston United man out of the second leg of the play-off semi-final at Gateshead, and the first two matches of this season.
After watching those opening games from the stands, Pearson is determined to avoid a repeat this time around.
"I don't want to change the way I play or lose the edge to my game, but it's something I've got to look at and tidy up," he told the Telegraph.
"Ultimately, that cost the team last season, so I'll be trying hard not to pick up as many bookings this time.
"I'm not going to worry about it too much, but I need to make sure I don't get as many cheap ones and that should help me come the end of the season."
He continued: "The first week was so frustrating – you want to be playing, especially after going through pre- season.
"You're looking forward to getting into the competitive games, and that's what all the hard work is for.
"I've got no one to blame but myself, but that's gone now and is in the past.
"I don't like watching games to be honest. I've become like a supporter – the lads I sit with tell me to calm down and shut up sometimes because I get a bit carried away!
"You obviously want to be playing but once you know you're not involved, you get over that and just want the lads to do well."
Pearson was delighted to go straight back into the Town side at the weekend – even though that recall yielded yet another yellow card.
"I had a job on my hands to get back in," he admitted. "Andrew Boyce showed last year what he can do, and he's picked up straight where he left off, while Toto Nsiala had a great debut and couldn't have done much more.
"Carl Magnay is playing well at right-back but can slot in there, and Chris Doig had a good game in the opener. So there is a lot of competition, but that is something you've got to relish – it pushes everyone on."
