Ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Aldershot Town, we caught up with wide man David Ajiboye to reflect on his time at the club so far and his hopes for the rest of the campaign.
Ajiboye joined Carlisle United over the summer, and after a few months at Brunton Park, he says he’s settled in well.
“I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “It’s been tough – but then again, winning in football is never easy. But overall, it’s been really good and I’ve enjoyed it a lot.”
Asked about the biggest adjustments since arriving in Cumbria, he pointed to life both on and off the pitch.
“Off the pitch, just being away from home – that’s the biggest one,” he explained. “On the pitch, it’s more about getting back into a rhythm, because I had a couple of years where I wasn’t playing regularly. Now it’s about building that consistency again.”
Having played for several clubs previously, Ajiboye was full of praise for the environment he’s found at Brunton Park.
“It’s a tight-knit group. Everyone gets on with everyone and any new boys coming in settle in really quickly. It’s a great group to be part of.”
One familiar face in the dressing room was Archie Davies, who Ajiboye had played with previously at Brighton.
“Archie’s the only one I knew properly before coming here, although I’d played against a few of the others. But yeah, having Archie here definitely helped me settle in – we had a good relationship before and that’s continued here.”
Assessing the season so far, Ajiboye believes the team are heading in the right direction.
“It’s been good overall. Obviously, we’ve had one disappointing loss, but we’ve got some important wins, and we’re picking up points. We just need to keep pushing and take each game as it comes.”
On his own performances, he said: “Personally, I started the season playing, then had a few games on the bench, but I’ve come back in and I just want to keep my place now, do well, help the team score goals and get more points on the board.”
As for individual goals, Ajiboye is keeping things simple.
“I just want to play regularly, get goals and assists, and get the crowd off their feet. That’s the main thing – and obviously getting wins.”
He added that while those targets are mostly personal, the coaches are fully aware of his standards.
“I demand a lot from myself. I know when I’ve had a good game or a bad game, and there’s always room to improve.”
With strong competition for places, Ajiboye is in a battle for minutes with Junior Luamba – but insists the relationship is a positive one.
“We sit next to each other in the changing room, we encourage each other. It’s not a spiteful thing. It’s healthy competition – that’s what you want in a team.”
“The best teams have competition all over the pitch and I think we’ve got that here. Anyone in this squad can start and we’d still be strong, so that gives everyone confidence.”
On the fanbase, Ajiboye has been taken aback by the level of support – particularly on the road.
“It’s been brilliant, especially the away games. I’m not used to that kind of support. The first game of the season, I was shocked by how many fans we brought. It’s really good to play in front of – and we want to give them something back.”
With away trips to Altrincham and York City already sold-out and close to it, respectihe knows the backing will continue.
“It’s unbelievable. Hopefully we can repay that support with six points in those two games.”
Before then, the focus is firmly on Aldershot at home this Saturday. Ajiboye expects another tough test.
“Every game in this league is difficult, so we just need to keep showing what we’ve shown recently, get at them and get the points on the board. That’s what it’s all about.”
With Aldershot having scored the most goals in the division so far, he knows the team will have to be alert defensively – but sees an opportunity at the other end too.
“They’ve scored a lot, but they’ve conceded a fair few too. So for someone like me, that’s something I look at. If they leave gaps, we’ve got to exploit them. But football’s unpredictable – they could turn up and defend well. We’ve just got to be ready and take our chances.”
After a strong showing last weekend at Brunton Park, Ajiboye is keen to keep the momentum going on home soil.
“To win the league and get back to where we want to be, we’ve got to make this place a fortress. Hopefully we don’t lose any more games here this season – that’s the goal.”
And what’s his message to the fans ahead of Saturday?
“Just get behind us – we’re going to try to do the business. Be loud, be proud, and we’ll give it everything.”
As a new face in the group, Ajiboye says the fan backing hasn’t gone unnoticed – and it makes a real difference.
“It means a lot. It’s spoken about in the dressing room now and then. Obviously, fans will always have opinions – but that’s football. When they’re behind you, you feel it. It pushes us on, and we want to keep giving them something to be proud of.”
