Midfielder Callum Guy put pen-to-paper on an 18-month deal on Thursday morning and on of his first duties was to meet the local press as he started the process of settling into his new surroundings.
Speaking about making the short hop up north, he said: “I first knew there was interest on Monday. The gaffer at Blackpool told me about Carlisle and he said it was up to me what I wanted to do.
“I had a few conversations with the gaffer here, and it was something I was really interested in and wanted to pursue. I met Chris on Wednesday night then travelled up on Thursday morning, and I’m glad it’s finally done.”
Explaining more about the mechanics of the move, he told us: “It wasn’t like the Blackpool manager had made me available and said I needed to find something else.
“Football moves quickly and you don’t know where you might end up, so you’ve got to be prepared. I’m happy with my decision and I can’t wait to get started.
“I haven’t been here long yet, but everyone has been really welcoming so far. They’ve all been really helpful and I feel like I’ve settled in straight away. The gaffer was a big reason in me signing here and I just can’t wait to start playing for him.
“It’s been a frustrating season so far for me at Blackpool. I’ve been in and out of the team, I’ve started some games and come off the bench in others, so I just want to put a string of good performances together so I can get into the starting team here and then stay there.”
Having picked up the ‘box-to-box’ tag, we wondered what type of player it is that we’re about to get to see.
“It’s a fair enough description, I like to see myself as a box-to-box midfielder,” he confirmed. “I give 100% in every game. I’m high energy and I love to tackle, but also get on the ball and make things happen.
“I also want to get some goals, I haven’t scored many yet, it’s definitely something I need to improve on. I feel like if I can add a few goals to my game I can give a really good input to the team.
“The gaffer has already told me I need to score more goals, but he said that he loves my energy and he really wanted me in because of that. We’re going to work on scoring goals and creating chances, and we’ll just go from there.
“I knew about the gaffer, but I’ve never worked with him before. As soon as I had the first conversation with him I was really eager to keep talking and everything happened quite quickly after that.
“I’m pleased to sign permanently so I can really get settled in, hopefully I can get off to a flyer whenever the gaffer picks me. I just want to give my all for the team and the fans, and hopefully we can keep going up the table.”
As is the nature of these things, and particularly in the transfer window, the whirlwind nature of a permanent transfer can often leave a player with his head literally spinning.
“I haven’t had a lot of time since Monday to think about things too much, but like I said once I spoke to the gaffer it was a no-brainer in the end,” he said. “This was the main option I was interested in. I didn’t want to rush into anything but it’s nice to have it all done in good time before the deadline, and I’m just really pleased.
“As it was getting close to the end of the window I thought I would just be staying at Blackpool, but when it came about I was really intrigued by it and I wanted to know more. My conversations with the gaffer made me really want to move here.
“It’s a fresh start and it’s something I’ve thought about for the whole of January, to be honest. I think it was time to move on from Blackpool because it was stop-start for me on the pitch. This is the right decision for me at the stage I’m at in my career, and I’m really looking forward to it.
“My fitness is good, I’ve played for Blackpool this season, so I won’t need a few weeks to get up to speed or anything like that. I just want to get involved with the team as quickly as possible. It’s a big club with a good fan base, and like I said it was just a no-brainer of a decision.”
And on the length of the deal, he told us: “18 months is quite a short time in football but it’s nice to have the security and know this is where I’m going to be.
“I’ve just got to make sure I play some games now, it’s all down to me and what I do in training to make sure the gaffer puts me in the starting 11. There are some top players here, I wouldn’t have moved here otherwise, but I’m not expecting to walk straight into the team. But if I get called upon I’ll definitely be ready to play on Saturday.
“If I do get my chance, whether that’s starting or off the bench, I’ll give everything. With it being a late move in the window the club could have easily taken me on loan but the gaffer has shown faith in me by giving me a longer deal and hopefully I can repay him.
“I’ve obviously had League One experience but like I said, I don’t think there’s too much difference. The leagues are so tight that anything can happen. I obviously played with Nick [Anderton] at Blackpool, and I was with Max [Hunt] at Derby, even though it wasn’t for too long, but we were good mates there so I’m looking forward to meeting up with him again.
“I also played with Nat [Knight-Percival] while I was at Bradford and it does help when you know a couple of the lads. It helps you settle in faster, but I’m looking forward to meeting all of them.
“I’ve mentioned Nick, and he was another influence on me coming here because he couldn’t speak highly enough of the club. It will be nice to play with him again because we got on well at Blackpool.”
With League One experience under his belt at Bradford, Port Vale and Blackpool, he confirmed that he’s more than ready for the challenge of nailing down a starting place at his new club, at this new level.
“I had a couple of loan spells at Port Vale and Bradford and I really enjoyed my time at both clubs,” he said. “I felt like I gained a lot of experience by doing that. I’ve played quite a few games for a 23-year-old and I just want to keep adding to that.
“I’ve never played in League Two before but I feel this is a team that I will suit. The levels at League One and League Two are quite similar, the leagues are so tight and there are so many teams who can beat each other, so I don’t think the level is much different.
“As a player you always want competition for places and I know I’m going to have to work to get into the team after two good results. You don’t want anybody to be complacent and think you’re going to play every week.
“You need the competition to push you on because you know you’ve got to fight for your place. I’ll be working hard in training to get myself in there, but if it’s on the bench and I get the chance to come on I’ll put everything into it to make sure I’m in the team for the next game.
“I want to get consistent game time and consistent good performances in while I’m here. I think that’s really important for someone my age, to be playing consistently.
“You never know where a few good results can take you in this league. I can’t wait to get started, I’m looking forward to the game on Saturday and hopefully we can go there and get another three points.”
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