Dave Symington on working hard
Defender Dave Symington spoke to us at his appearance at the Carlisle Youth Zone on Monday evening about the confidence he has gained from his current run in the side.
“It’s a great feeling to be playing every week at the moment,” he said. “I’ve been working hard on my performances over the last few weeks and it has paid off for me.
“The manager has the confidence to keep picking me and that means a lot. I obviously want to prove him right and I’ll keep doing what I can to make that case.
“I have to say that it’s a huge help having someone like Pascal [Chimbonda] in the squad. He talks to me all the time about what I should be doing, even when he was injured. He gives me advice and encouragement and that’s because everyone in the squad wants the team to do well, whoever is picked.”
“I think football is a confidence game and if you feel good with what you’re doing then you tend to play well,” he continued. “That’s where I am at the moment and I just hope it continues. I’ve heard what the manager has said in his last few press conferences and that’s the kind of thing you aim for.
“You just want to be doing your bit and, if it’s acknowledged, it means you’re probably doing something right. Being involved in what was a great win at the weekend made things even better. We really needed that result and it’s given everyone a huge boost in the dressing room.
“We’ve been keeping clean sheets and we have to give credit to the lads because we haven’t let heads drop. Gary [Madine] has come back and he’s already got a goal for us. I think that’s a great move for the club and it’s given us another lift at a time when we probably needed it.”
And on his extended run in the side, he said: “There is no better feeling than playing football. You train all week to be involved and your target from the minute you get your contract is to be playing regular first team games.
“I suppose I feel like I’m answering a few questions at the moment, for myself and for the fans. I’ve come in at the right back and wing back positions and it’s worked for me. I have to thank Kav and his staff for believing in me and giving me that chance.”
“I can’t take anything for granted and my next focus is try to do what I can this week to make sure I’m involved at Deepdale on Saturday,” he told us. “That’s a game everyone is looking forward to and we’re going there to get the three points.
“The fans see it as a derby game and it’s great to be involved in them. There are always loads of supporters who come down to watch when we play there and I know the lads will be up for it. They’ve backed us all the way this season and it would be great to get another result for them from a big one like this.”
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