We caught up with forward Adam Campbell ahead of training on Monday to get his thoughts on the first game of the season at Exeter and his return to Brunton Park.
“I don’t think it feels strange coming back, I’m more excited than anything,” he told us. “It’s a chance for me to come to a big club and play games under a manager I’ve worked with before. I got on well with him at Notts County so I’m definitely more excited than anything else.
“As soon as I spoke to the gaffer it was an easy decision for me. I’ve worked with him before at Notts County and enjoyed some of my best football under him. When you get a chance to come and play football under someone who you’ve done well for before, and who gets the best out of you, it’s a no brainer really.
“I’m not a big believer in stats, but if you look at things on paper my best goalscoring record and my best assist record in my career was under the gaffer in a short period of time. I’d like to think if I can get some games under my belt on a regular occasion then it can only be a good thing, and hopefully those numbers will come again."
On being able to play a number of positions across the front, he told us: “Sometimes versatility can be a good thing, and sometimes it isn’t. I’m personally happy playing in any of the four front positions depending on where I’m needed.
"If I can get in the team I’m not really fussed, I just want game time and I’m here to score and assist, as well as to help us to win games. If the manager sees me playing on the right, left or down the middle, it doesn’t really bother me at all."
Having completed the move just in time to join the team as they headed towards Exeter on Friday afternoon, he admitted that it all felt like a bit of a whirlwind.
“It was all very quick on Friday," he said. "I got a phone call at about 9.30pm on Thursday night and was asked if I was ready to travel. I got up early at 6.30am on Friday morning to drive to Morecambe and sign the papers, then I got down to Knutsford to meet the bus.
"The next thing I knew we were in Exeter. It was a long day but I couldn’t be happier to be part of it and meet the boys straight away. I’ve been around a while now so I know the crack in terms of what goes on during a Friday when you’re travelling to a game.
"I think it’s the first time I’ve signed for a new club like that, then met the bus to go all the way to Exeter, but it was a good way of getting involved. Everything happened so quickly that I haven’t really had chance to speak to Jim [Bentley] at Morecambe.
"When it came up it was one of those where I said it was something I really wanted to do, and he was kind enough to let me go and do it. Morecambe didn’t get off to the best of starts on Saturday but I know they’ll be working hard to turn it round, and hopefully they do that. For me, my sole focus is on Carlisle and putting our result right from Saturday."
But does a move to a new club bring with it the feeling that there's something to prove?
“You’ve always got something to prove," he admitted. "Whether it’s from a move or whether you’ve been doing well, or playing poorly, there’s always someone who doubts you and always someone who needs you to be showing what you can do.
"That’s exactly what I’m here to do. I believe in myself and what I can do, and I just want to go out there and show everyone else."
His first appearance for the Blues came with ten minutes to play at St James Park on Saturday afternoon, and his name was almost in lights when the ball dropped tantalisingly close to his feet inside the penalty area.
“I had a chance just after I came on on Saturday and it would have been a great way to introduce myself," he commented. "It just didn’t come off on the day, and I think it was about five seconds after I'd come on, so it certainly would have been a great way to start."
“It’s important for us to put on a performance in front of our home fans on Saturday now," he continued. "It’s the start of a new season, and the first game was a long journey, even though we did take plenty of fans, which was a credit to them.
"We’re going to come out here on Saturday and we’ll be hoping to put a smile on their faces."
And he knows that the fight for a starting place will be a keenly fought battle.
“I knew when I trained with the lads on Friday that there would be competition for places, because you can see the quality in this squad," he said. "I know the result wasn’t what we wanted on Saturday, but there were a lot of positives to take from it.
"I know I’ve got to fight for my place in the team, and the lads who are in the team know they’ve got to fight for their place as well. Whether it’s me who starts or one of the other boys, everyone knows they’ve got to up their game because there are players waiting to take your place. That can only improve everyone.”
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