As a young man who has spent the early years of his career based down south, we thought that moving as far north as it gets in the English game might be more than a bit daunting, particularly with a dressing room of completely new faces to meet.
But striker Tristan Abraham dismissed that concern with a shrug of the shoulders when the question was posed at his first club press conference on Monday afternoon.
“Location was never an issue,” he insisted. “I haven’t actually lived at my home in south London for the last four years. I’ve been up here numerous times playing here, it’s a city that’s very beautiful and quiet. I don’t think I’ll have any problems.
“I don’t see this as daunting at all. It’s a challenge I’m going to grasp with both hands and I’m prepared to move to achieve what I want to achieve. Moving from home at a young age has got me used to being away so a little bit further [in terms of miles] isn’t going to hurt me.
“Playing against Carlisle over the years, I know how good the team is and how much of a big club it is. Once I spoke to the gaffer and knew the ambitions for the club, as well as seeing how they played last season, it was an easy decision.
“It’s always a team that I watched quite closely. I really enjoyed the style of play, the freedom of the attacking players, it was something I wanted to get involved with. They got to the top of the table and were a bit unfortunate with circumstances that they just missed out on the play-offs.
“And for an away player, it’s a place no-one ever really wants to come. With the way the fans are so passionate it’s a horrible place in everyone’s eyes. They really get behind their players and that’s something I’m pleased to be part of now.
“Coming as the away team it’s somewhere you just don’t want to be. It’s a long trip, I’ve been in a few teams now and it’s always been the same thing, you’ve got to prepare right to come here and it’s a difficult game.”
Looking back at his career, he was picked up by Orient as a youth player and went on to gain a vast amount of experience, albeit still at a very young age.
“I’ve been lucky to get a fair bit of experience in different circumstances, and I’m very grateful that I’ve seen so much even though I’m still relatively young,” he commented. “Hopefully I’ll be able to use that experience to push on and keep getting better.
“I started at Orient and going from there to Norwich was surreal, crazy, a big experience. To see some of the boys kick on and play in the Premier League is very motivational and I hope I can get there soon as well.
“I got to train with the likes of Max Aarons, Ben Godfrey, Todd Cantwell, a lot of the team that’s still there and has done well. It was very good, I enjoyed it, and it’s such a big club. The facilities, the details, the coaching, I enjoyed my time there and felt I learned a lot.
“Newport was another club when I felt that people believed in me. I picked up the young player of the year award and things like that mean a lot. To feel appreciated by the fans is great and I know the manager backed me at that time.
“That’s why it’s good coming here, because I have a manager who knows I can do well, and he wants to help me to get better on top of that. It’s a good fit for everybody.
“All of the clubs I’ve played at have taught me something. Overall I’ve learned that you just have to know your own game and simplify it. At a young age you try to do a bit too much at times.
“But I’ve gained a lot of experience, I know my strengths and it’s just what I do with my strengths and do the basics well to get better.
“That’s why it’s important to be happy with the next move you make, and for me that’s here. I know that Carlisle is very well-run and having had a look round the pitch is in good nick and I’m very happy with the facilities.
“Seeing Brunton Park, I can’t wait until the fans are in. Football’s not the same without fans, it doesn’t feel right, I just can’t wait to hear a fan sing something good or shout a bit of abuse, I don’t mind.
“It’s something I have missed. I can’t wait for the season to get going.”
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