Nathan Eccleston on his loan move
New arrival Nathan Eccleston spoke to us this morning about what he wants from his spell at Brunton Park.
“This is a great opportunity for me to come and play some first team football and that’s exactly what I need,” he said. “I’m at that age where I need to go out and make an impact because I want to forge a career for myself.
“It is vital for me that I’m playing football. I’ve spoken to the manager about that and I know that if I do the right things in training and on a match day then I should be able to stay longer than a month. First and foremost I have to do things right in this first month, so I’ll be taking each day as it comes.”
“Getting a loan move is something I’ve wanted for a long time,” he admitted. “I’m looking forward to this spell more than any of my previous loans because I know how important it is to me.
“If I’m being honest, I’ve never really settled at the clubs I’ve been with before. I think that’s probably because I was younger and more naïve, but I’m much more serious about my game now. I’m grateful to Carlisle for giving me a chance to prove that.
“I’ve been struggling with injuries since I signed for Blackpool and that’s something else I’ve had to deal with. Not being able to do something you love because of the injuries has made me a stronger character. I’ve been working hard on my fitness and I know I’m ready to go again now.”
“I had a good, lengthy chat with Graham Kavanagh on Thursday night,” he said. “He told me about how he wants the team to play and how he sees me fitting in. He thinks I can play an important role and he wants me to get out there and play with a smile on my face. That’s what I’m here to do.
“When I got the call to say that it was all confirmed I was buzzing. I’m the type of player who can play across the front three or I can drift in from out wide, but I’ll play any role the manager wants me to if it means that I’ll be involved.”
And with United in a rich vein of form, it’s obviously a good time to come into the club.
“It’s always nice to come into a winning team,” he agreed. “Hopefully I can help us to continue in that good form.
“I also think you can’t ask for much more than coming into a training session and then having a game immediately after. It’s good to be just thrown into it. Like I say, I haven’t played for a while and that’s what I’ve missed most.
“I already know a few of the lads as well. I’m very good friends with David Amoo, we were at Liverpool together, and we are very close. I also know James Berrett from Huddersfield and I’m sure I’ll get to know everybody else very quickly.
“I can also remember Danny Livesey giving me a kick into the stands a few years ago when I played against him. I don’t know if he’ll remember that ... but I certainly do!”
“The Blackpool manager has spoken to me about what he wants to see from me,” he said. “I’ve known Paul Ince for seven years and I’m a really good friend of the family. There’s nobody better to look up to and he wants me to get my head down and do what he knows I’m capable of doing.
“He’s seen me progress through the ranks and he knows what I’m capable of. He’s told me that the door is still wide open for me at Blackpool so it’s up to me to now.
“The target is for me to get as many games as I can here and to hopefully show people that I’m fully fit and ready again.”
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