In the best traditions of summer transfer rumours United favourite Nicky Adams has found himself bang in the centre of an internet storm this week as unsubstantiated links with League One clubs surfaced to disturb what had been an otherwise steady build-up towards next week’s first game of the season.
Speaking about the speculation earlier today, he said: “The only thing I can say is that my dad has a caravan in Blackpool! That’s the only thing I know.
“Seriously though, my Twitter and Instagram have been going mad but it’s one of those situations where you can’t reply to people, even though you want to, because I have a duty to my club and, whatever happens, I always speak to them first.
“As far as I’m concerned I’m happy here, I love it, and I’ve said that ever since the end of last season. I can’t do anything if other clubs say they’re interested in me – I can’t stop that. It’s nothing to do with me so all I can keep saying is that I’m happy here and I want to stay.
“Like I say, I can’t do anything about other clubs showing an interest in me. All it means to me is that I must be doing something right for Carlisle United and that’s because I just want to be playing football here.”
When asked if there had been any kind of approach made to his representatives which could have sparked the speculation, he said: “Not that I know of. Agents are always in the loop from what I’ve seen in the past and if you’re doing well there can be interest from other clubs.
“That’s nothing to do with me. I don’t think there’s been any approach and if you ask the gaffer I’m sure he’ll tell you I’ll be going nowhere. It’s actually quite hard because everyone keeps asking me and I can’t keep saying what I’m saying enough. Look – when we’re playing Swindon next week I’ll be here and I’ll be doing my best to get a win for my team, that’s where I’m at with it all.
“I think everyone knows me well enough to know I’m an honest lad and none of this is anything to do with me. People will probably look and think they’ve seen interviews like this before but, no, all I can repeat is that you’ll see me play against Blackburn and you’ll see me for the Swindon game.”
“I don’t find speculation like this unsettling at all,” he continued. “I’ve had it before. Sometimes you do hear people asking if it’s affected you but all I do is carry on with my football.
“The fact is that the happiest place for me in my life is out on the pitch. When I came here my aim was to help to get this club promoted and nothing’s changed. It’s the same aim this year so I’ll do my utmost and give everything I’ve got for my team.”
One thing the rumours have helped to confirm is the high regard in which one of United’s most popular players is held by the club’s fans.
“That’s another reason why I’m so happy here,” he confirmed. “Why would I want to leave somewhere where I’m loved? I love it here so it’s a two-way thing. As long as they see me giving 100% out on the pitch there’ll always be that level of support for me and I’m grateful for that.
“I can’t thank them enough for the way they’ve been with me and I feel this club is a sleeping giant. We need to be up there again and hopefully we will be. The lads in the dressing room are fantastic and they all think the same and they all want that as well.
The manager also believes in me 110% and he gets the best out of me, so it’s a great club for me to be at ...
“The manager also believes in me 110% and he gets the best out of me, so it’s a great club for me to be at. I’m just looking forward to the start of the season now.”
And with just one pre-season friendly left to play [Blackburn Rovers, Friday 28 July, kick off 7.45pm] he also admitted that it’s starting to feel like things are getting real with the first game of the new campaign just eight days away.
“One of the big things we’ve taken from this pre-season is a winning mentality,” he commented. “The gaffer is big on that and we take pride in winning games. We’ve kept clean sheets in every game and that’s another good sign.
“We’re stepping it up with a game against a good Blackburn side and we were given a test last weekend against Halifax. We’d just had a really tough week when we played them so that game was more about coping mentally.
“We were tired, but we got through it and we showed that we could put the effort in even after we’d been worked really hard. Blackburn Rovers is a massive club and a good friend of mine plays for them, so I know they’ll be at it. They’ll be fancied to win League One so we’ll have to be on our game.
“Next after that is Swindon and I think they’ll be fancied in our league as well. What we have to remember is that isn’t about them, it’s about us, and I think we’re a match for anyone. I’m looking forward to it.”
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