IT IS hard to imagine Josh Cullen feeling apprehensive about anything.

Today marks exactly one year since the boyish midfielder turned up from West Ham.

In 42 league games for City, he has been on the losing side only seven times. Kicking off with an emphatic 4-0 win at Peterborough, it has been a constant upward trend.

Watching him regularly take matters by the scruff of the neck, he looks like a seasoned pro.

Yet there were butterflies when he headed north for the first time and out of his comfort zone.

"I'd never lived on my own before and cooked for myself," Cullen told the T&A.

"I lived in digs at West Ham for the first year of my scholarship but that was with 15 or so other lads in the house that the club had there.

"We were always together as a group – and it was only 45 minutes to an hour from home.

"If I needed someone or needed something sorted out, mum and dad would have no problem in popping down and helping. Whereas here, coming away so far, I was a little bit nervous at first because I was going into the unknown.

"I didn't know what it was going to be like and didn't know the area. But the year has flown by. It was time for me to grow up – and I feel that I've done that."

Fans do not see what goes on behind the scenes. Away from the confident player bossing matches was a 20-year-old being well looked after by the support network around the club.

Good pal Reece Burke smoothed the transition because he had faced the same scenario six months earlier.

But there have also been plenty of others who made Cullen feel welcome from the start and not left alone to stare at four empty walls after training.

"Fans see you on the pitch once or twice a week but they might not know what else is happening, what you do when you finish training and go home on your own," he said.

"I can understand why other young players going out on various different loans might find it hard but for me that's not been the case.

"The lads got me into the group straight away and made sure I was always invited to things. I felt part of it pretty quickly.

"Everybody that I have come across since I've been up here have helped me; the lads, supporters, members of staff and those I've played under. They definitely made it much easier for me to settle and I can't thank them enough for that."

Cullen has also conquered the kitchen – just about. He admits the menu is limited but better than the staple diet of beans on toast that he could cook at home.

"I wouldn't say I'm any Jamie Oliver now," he laughed, "but I can do your basic chicken, rice, veg and spaghetti bolognese. Before, it was baked beans.

"At least I don't have to do the same things every night and I make sure I'm eating right.

"Some of the meals are pretty basic – but it's not always how good it tastes but making sure I'm getting the right nutrients and diet to perform and be physically fit."

There are no issues on that score. From day one, Cullen has backed up the confidence of Hammers academy director Terry Westley in persuading Phil Parkinson to take a punt on a player he had not watched live.

City had never won at Peterborough until his debut.

Cullen recalled: "I got straight in the team, we won 4-0 and I was thinking 'this is a piece of cake!' What a team I had come into.

"Peterborough had just lost out to West Brom on penalties in the week and given them a proper run for their money.

"We were aware how tough it was going to be. But maybe they went that far against West Brom that it did give us a bit of a hand as well – but it was a great way to start.

"We kicked on from then, dug in when we had to and got the right results when we needed them to finish the season strongly."

This time has been different because City have been in the play-off mix from the off – but Cullen is aware of the job still to be done.

He said: "You don't win anything at this stage. The only time the table matters is come the end of the season.

"I think we were 12th in the league when I came in last year. Then we get to the play-offs and everyone thinks what a great season it's been.

"We've got to play all those around us and they've got to play each other. We'll keep plugging away and hopefully finish up where we want."