INTERVIEW: You want to make an impact

“I think I’ve settled in really well,” he said. “I’ve got to know the lads a bit better and I’ve taken up on how people play their games. 

“I think I’ve got fitter and stronger and I’m looking forward to pushing on in these next few games to hopefully better myself and the team even more.”

“I’ve been really pleased that I’ve been able to be start games,” he told us. “When I spoke to the manager he said he was going to get me involved as soon as he could, to see what I can do. The York game came very quickly for me, so I don’t think there was ever much of a chance of me starting that one.

“Since I’ve been given my opportunity I’ve felt good and there’s a lot of competition for places in the squad. It’s now important for me to maintain my performance levels so I can keep my place in the starting eleven.”

“It’s been good to be part of some positive results and performances because that’s exactly what you want when you come into a club,” he commented. “You want to make an impact and get points on the board, and I thought were really unlucky against Morecambe at the weekend not to make it three more.

“The reason for that was a 50:50 decision but, unfortunately for us, the referee determined it was a penalty. I think we played well for the majority of the game and we looked effective going forward. It was unfortunate that we conceded because it would have been nice to get three clean sheets on the bounce.”

“Performances have been good but most importantly, as I said, is that we’re putting those points on the board and we’re starting to distance ourselves from the bottom places,” he said. “I’ve been saying to everyone I’ve spoken to that I can’t really grasp how the team is as low in the league as they are. 

“I hadn’t seen too much of Carlisle before I came here but the performances I’ve seen don’t merit the position we’re in. I get that it’s a very competitive league, and there isn’t much between teams, but I can’t see any reason why we can’t push ourselves up even more, get away from the bottom two and, hopefully for the management and the squad, take that into next season.”

“This run of games has been brilliant for my confidence on a personal level,” he commented. “It’s been so long for me in waiting for an opportunity like this, and when I got my taste of it again I kind of wondered how I’d managed being out of it for so long, all be it that was for one reason or another.

“It’s just been good to be involved in first team football and the atmosphere, the crowds and the fact you’re fighting for three points that really matter that goes with it. My confidence will grow stronger the more match time I get and I can’t be thankful enough for everyone at Carlisle United who has given me this chance.”

Speaking more about the battle to keep his starting place, he said: “As I said, there’s a lot of competition for that midfield spot and that can only be good. It means it’s vitally important for me to do my job so that I keep my place. 

“I’m playing beside Jason [Kennedy] and he has vast experience of what is needed, not just at this level but within the roles we’ve been given to play. I’m learning from him and I want to use his experience to my advantage.

“I think we’ve struck up quite a good partnership in midfield and we’ve got quite a good understanding between ourselves. We’re covering each other, and when one goes forward the other sits in, so I hope we’ve brought an extra dynamic to the squad.”

And on the search for a goal to add to the appearances, he said: “There have been one or two deflections, and things like that, so I hope a goal is coming. 

“I just need to keep getting myself into those positions, keep making breaks from midfield and, if one sits right for me, hopefully I’ll hit the back of the net.

“One thing I want to do is add goals to my game because they’re what win you the points at the end of the day.”