QPR loanee Brandon Comley on his move up north
QPR loanee Brandon Comley has had quite a fortnight since he put pen-to-paper on a month long loan deal at Brunton Park, with a place on the bench against York followed by a first start of his senior career against Everton on Sunday.
“It was a great opportunity for me to get out there and play in front of such a big home crowd,” he said. “I don’t think the game could have been any more difficult because Everton were great opposition.
“It was my first professional start and I just wanted to try and make an impression. It was fantastic for me and I loved the fact I was involved. Being on the same pitch as Ross Barkley meant I could see how good he is ... and all you can say is that he’s different gear.
“He can change his speed and the way he’s playing with the click of his fingers. We saw his ability first hand and he proves he has that week in and week out.”
“I found out I was going to be starting when we did the shape work in the training sessions leading up to the game,” he explained. “The phone call home to tell everyone I’d been picked was weird.
“I think they thought I was going to be involved in some way, but they didn’t know I was going to start. Everyone was really happy for me. My dad drove up but sadly my mum couldn’t make it. I think they all loved the fact it happened. I felt I did quite well in the game to be honest. I got my tackles in and I completed my passes, so it was a good experience.
“Being selected by the manager for a game like that was a huge boost to my confidence. Knowing that someone believes in you enough to do that makes you feel confident in yourself. All I want to do now is repay the faith he’s shown in me. Seeing and hearing the fans clap my name was unbelievable. It was brilliant. I just want to have that buzz each week.”
On the decision to make the move from London to Cumbria, he said: “The distance doesn’t bother me at all. I haven’t lived at home since I was 16-years old because I went straight into digs when I signed my youth forms.
“Obviously I want to be with my family as much as I can but this is football. You have to do what you have to do. What I think about is the fact it’s an opportunity to come and play competitive football.
“Being involved in the Capital One Cup against Carlisle earlier in the season helped to bring a bit of a buzz when I found out a loan move was on the cards. I’d seen that Carlisle like to play good football and that’s the way I like to do things as well.”
“There’s no comparison between this and U21 football,” he commented. “Being part of it makes you realise how different it really is. Now I’ve had a taste of it I don’t want to go back to playing U21s.
“I think I’m at the stage of my career where I’m ready to kick on and play as much as I possibly can. The staff at QPR have told me to come here and enjoy it, show no fear and make as good an impression as I can. Keith [Curle] was straight with me. He told me he couldn’t promise me anything and that I was the same as every other player. If I warrant it I’ll be involved. All I’ve been doing every day since I got here is working hard to give myself the best chance.”
“When I was here on trial we played against Barrow and I knew the gaffer was watching,” he told us. “I saw it as a chance to show him what I was about and it was good to hear him say he thought I’d done well.
“I’ve come here to try and play as much football as possible and to do the best I can for the club. I’m hoping to get some good experience here, to help with my development, and I would definitely be interested in extending my stay if that becomes an option. It’s a really nice club and everyone has been really welcoming.”
On the positive comments already made by the first team manager, he said: “I heard that Keith had said I’d tackle my own granny and my mum, dad and brother said they’d cracked up laughing when they heard it as well.
“I do like a challenge and that’s what a lot of people back at QPR know me for. I’d say that I’m a hard tackling player and I’m predominantly a defensive midfielder. I came through the ranks from when I was 8 or 9 years old at Loftus Road and I’ve had a lot of good influences along the way. I’ll always thank Chris Ramsay for giving me my debut and I also have to thank my parents for keeping me on the straight and narrow.”
And speaking about his first few weeks in Carlisle, he said: “It’s great around the club. Everyone is still going at it, particularly with what happened with the flooding and the work that needs to be done, and it’s been amazing to see how everyone has pulled together and got behind the football club.
“I think everyone knows League Two football can be a little bit long, but I don’t think we want to play like that. We always want to play good football but sometimes you have to mix it when the other team is going long.
“You have to be able to do both and, for me personally, I don’t mind switching and getting stuck in to the mucky side of it. We’ll do whatever it takes and that’ll be the case when we play Accrington on Saturday. We see that as a big game and we want to get three points.”
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