Burnley defender Tom Anderson on coming to Carlisle United
New signing Tom Anderson spoke to us about his loan move shortly after completing his first training session with the club on Thursday afternoon.
“This is my first taste of league football,” he said. “I’ve been with a few clubs in the conference but I’m pleased I’ve been able to make this jump. I’m looking forward to giving it a good go.
“I feel like I’m ready for the step up to League Two. I’ve been with four other teams and I feel like I’ve progressed each time I’ve been with another club. Some people make this jump up at a younger age but it’s come for me a little bit later.
“I’ve taken longer to fill out but I’m ready for it now. I did feel a little bit nervous driving up the M6 on my way here but I think that shows how much you care. I really want this to go well.”
“I’m 6ft 4 inches tall so heading is a strength,” he added. “I can probably head it further than I can kick it, to be honest.
“I like to communicate and be a leader and I try to help people around me all the time. I’ll work hard, give everything and try to do my best every time I pull on the shirt.”
“I first heard this move was a possibility on Tuesday,” he revealed. “I hoped it would all come through and I finally got the message on Wednesday that it was finalised, and here I am.
“I’ve met the lads and they look like a good bunch. It’s a very professional way of working here and hopefully I can fit in. The manager sat down and spoke to me about what he expects and I’m determined to do it for him.
“For myself, I want to see if I can take this challenge on. Hopefully I’ll do well for the team. This is a big club and I want to try and play a part in helping it to progress. I’m very open minded about this move because all I want to do is play football.”
“My first loan move was with Barrow and that was great for me,” he commented. “I’d just turned 19 and I enjoyed the experience of playing men’s football. It was a big step up from the youth team and it definitely developed me as a player.
“It was a massive change because I was suddenly being pushed about all the time. I broke my nose in the first few games I had but it was all good stuff and a good learning curve. You need to get used to that kind of thing because it’s part and parcel of football.”
“The loan I just had at Lincoln was very important for me,” he admitted. “You do get doubts in your mind every now and then about whether or not you’re good enough so that was very beneficial for me. It gave the boost to my confidence I probably needed.
“I got my first senior goal with them and it was quite an interesting one because I hadn’t even realised I’d scored at the time. The keeper gave me a bit of a knock just as it happened but it was a nice moment. I know Lincoln wanted me to go back and it’s fantastic when you know you’re wanted. Hopefully I’ll be able to achieve the same kind of thing at Carlisle.”
“Burnley is my boyhood club and I’ve loved my time there,” he said. “It’s my dream to play for them but I’ve been out on a few loans and it’s shown me there are other things out there. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens for me.”
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