George Waring on signing for United
We spoke to Stoke loanee George Waring on Wednesday morning shortly after he'd signed for United for the rest of the season.“I can’t wait to get started,” he said. “It did happen quite quickly, the manager came to watch me on Monday night then signed me on Tuesday. It was a bit of a waiting game while we were trying to get the deal done but I’m glad it’s happened now.
“It can be a bit stressful to be fair. Sometimes you’re waiting around and you don’t know what’s going on. Phone calls are going on between clubs and you’re stuck in the middle a little bit. I’m just glad it happened in the end."
“I’m looking forward to playing in League Two," he told us. "I experienced it last year with Oxford so I’ve got an idea of what to expect. I’ve had some good loan spells already and I think it’s all about hard work and getting my head down.
“When I was at Oxford and they got promoted last year I could see the team ethic and the work rate of the lads which helped them to get together and get promoted. I learned a lot from watching them and seeing how they go about their business. That’s something I’m going to try and take forward and hopefully use myself.
“I hope my time here goes the same as it did at Oxford and it ends with another promotion. I know the standards will be high in training and the lads will expect someone coming into the group to work their socks off to be part of what they’re trying to achieve."
“Carlisle is a big club and I was looking forward to the chance to work with Keith [Curle] and the rest of the staff here," he added. "This club hopefully should be going places, so that was the attraction. I wanted to come here and try and achieve that.
“The thing about coming to a promotion chasing club is that it’s going to be tough to get yourself in the team because they’re doing well. It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to and hopefully in the coming weeks I can play my part in helping the team."
The manager revealed ahead of signing the big forward that he'd been to watch him in a Development game against Middlesbrough on Monday night, and Waring admitted that he'd been told about the interest ahead of kick off in the game.
“It was great to score on Monday night because I did know the manager was there," he said. "Sometimes that puts pressure on you a little bit so it was a weight off my shoulders when I saw my header drop into the net. Hopefully I’ve saved a few more goals for more important matches in League Two.
“I think when you’re a 6”5 stereotypical English centre forward people expect you to be able to hold the ball up and get your head on things when they sign you. I’ll concentrate on trying to do that then I’ll add to my game once I get the basics of that in place.
“I do get some comparisons with Peter Crouch ... no pressure there then! You obviously watch the likes of Crouchie, and others, and try and take bits from their game and how they go about their business. I don’t want to put pressure on myself by comparing myself to him, but I’ll try and do my best.
“Being at Stoke has definitely given me a good start in my career. When you’re around top professionals you do learn a lot from watching the way they train and play. It’s down to me to implement that. I feel like I’m fit and ready to show what I’m about."
On the competition for places up front, he said: “I know Charlie [Wyke] has left but there are other good strikers at the club as well.
"I know Jabo [Ibehre] from being at Barnsley with him and we've added Jamie Proctor as well. There is going to be competition for places and Charlie has left some big shoes to fill because he was scoring a lot of goals. I’ve said it already but I’ve just got to work hard and see what comes.
“I’m excited to get going. When I found out Carlisle were interested the challenge of getting into the teamwas what drew me to coming here. I’m absolutely ready for it.
“I think everybody gets a bit nervous when they’re meeting a new group of lads. You always want to have a good first training session and make a good impression, because first impressions do count. I’m looking forward to it and hopefully I’ll be involved at Leyton Orient on Saturday.”
United PlayerHD subscribers can see an interview with George Waring now. Click HERE to go to the PlayerHD platform. Follow the same link for more information on United PlayerHD, and to subscribe.
